GORHAM, Maine  –  Junior Bri Townsend (Newport, Maine/Nokomis) and sophomore Leah Thibodeau (Auburn, Maine/Edward Little) of the University of Southern Maine Huskies have each earned 2026 College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District honors as part of the At-Large program, which covers USM-sponsored sports of field hockey, ice hockey, lacrosse, golf, and wrestling.
 
To be eligible for Academic All-District recognition student-athletes must be at least a sophomore academically and athletically with a cumulative grade point average of 3.50 or higher. Student-athletes must also have competed in 90 percent or started in 66 percent of their institution's games. The CSC Academic All-America program separately recognizes honorees in four divisions — NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III and NAIA.
 
Moving into a starting role in the Huskies' midfield, Thibodeau played and started in each of Southern Maine's 22 games during the 2026.  Scoring three goals and adding an assist, Thibodeau had the Huskies' game-winning goals in wins over University of Hartford (September 6), and Little East Conference opponent UMass Dartmouth (October 11). Through two seasons, Thibodeau has played in 43 games making 24 starts. Of her seven career goals, Thibodeau has three game-winners. A Health Science major, Thibodeau earned 2025 Little East Conference All-Academic Team honors.
 
Earning first team All-Little East Conference honors as a starting forward for the Huskies, Townsend led Southern Maine in goals (12), game-winning goals (six) and points (27) and finished second in the LEC with six game-winning goals. Earning her degree in Sport Management, Townsend was one of nine Huskies named to the 2025 OPA Winning Teams/National Field Hockey Coaches' Association Division III National Academic Squad.  
 
Southern Maine finished its 2025 season with a record of 12-10 overall and 4-2 in the Little East Conference. 
 
 
 
 
 
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