Written by: Aaron Goschke '25
WATERVILLE, Maine – The North Atlantic Conference (NAC) announced its postseason awards this afternoon, recognizing standout players from the University of Maine at Farmington. First-year guard Jaydn Pingree (Jay, Maine) earned the prestigious Rookie of the Year award for the 2024-2025 season and was also named to the NAC Third Team All-Conference. Sophomore forward Jessica Dow (Saco, Maine) was selected for the NAC All-Conference Second Team in her second season.
The Rookie of the Year award highlights Pingree's outstanding debut season, where she emerged as a key player for the Beavers. She averaged 11.0 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 1.1 steals per game while shooting 42.1% from the field. Pingree scored in double figures in 16 of 25 games, including a season-high 21 points in a crucial 62-57 win over the University of Maine at Presque Isle. In that game, she also grabbed four rebounds and went a perfect 8-for-8 from the free-throw line. Throughout the season, Pingree was named NAC Rookie of the Week four times—more than any other player in the conference.
Pingree began the season in a bench role as the Beavers' sixth man. After adjusting to the college game, she scored in double figures for the first time on November 22 in a road matchup against VTSU Castleton, tallying 16 points in just 17 minutes. She remained a key contributor off the bench for the first 15 games before transitioning to a starting role on January 19 at home against Lesley. Pingree quickly made an impact in the starting lineup, scoring 15 points on 6-for-11 shooting, including 3-for-5 from beyond the arc. She started the final ten games of the season, reaching double figures in eight of them and averaging 12.5 points per game over that stretch.
Dow was named to the NAC All-Conference Team for the second consecutive season. As a first-year, she earned Third Team All-Conference honors, and this season, she continued to expand her game, becoming a versatile force for the Beavers. Known as the team's "Swiss Army knife," Dow posted impressive all-around numbers, averaging 13.3 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.2 blocks, and 2.5 steals per game, ranking among the NAC leaders in multiple statistical categories.
Dow started the season strong, filling the stat sheet with 18 points, nine rebounds, five assists, and four steals in the Beavers' season-opening victory over Plymouth State. A week later, she recorded a career-high six steals against Norwich. Dow scored 18 or more points in eight games this season, including a career-best performance against RPI on November 23, when she tallied 32 points and 12 rebounds. She also earned three NAC Defensive Player of the Week awards and one NAC Player of the Week honor during the season.
Together, Pingree and Dow led the Beavers to a 7-6 record in NAC play, securing the program's first playoff berth since the 2021-2022 season. Although they fell 77-64 to Husson in the postseason on February 21, Pingree contributed 11 points, two rebounds, and two assists, while Dow led the team with 20 points.
Additionally, senior guard Emily Small (Cumberland, Maine) was named to the NAC All-Sportsmanship Team. Small appeared in 15 games, making one start in her final season with the Beavers.
