ITHACA, N.Y. – The National Field Hockey Coaches Association released their 2024 Division III All-Americans on December 17 and Ithaca College senior defender Bella McCollister repeated as a second team selection.

McCollister, the two-time Liberty League Defensive Player of the Year, becomes the ninth student-athlete in program history dating back to 1981 to be named an All-American during her career out South Hill. She is now the 32nd All-American for the field hockey program.

She joins Cathy Foto (1981-82), Mary Klecha (1981-82), Karen Howarth (1983, 85), Barb Wachowiak (1983-84), Deb Smith (1988-89), Sue Bender (1991-92), Karen Hollands (1992-93) and Lynn Anne Bolton (1993-94) as two-time honorees.

McCollister started all 21 games on defense for IC this season and played every minute of every game for the past three years. Offensively, she notched three assists on the year, but her ability to read plays with anticipation is what sets her part on the defensive end. McCollister was the anchor for the IC defense, which allowed just 18 goals all season, ranking 14th nationally in goals against average. The Bombers allowed 10 or fewer shots in 15 games this year.

Ithaca won its first-ever conference championship this season and went 15-6 overall with an undefeated mark in the Liberty League.