Junior Keene State Women’s Lacrosse midfielder Tess Brown has been named the Little East Conference’s Defensive Player of the Week for her stellar performance in the week of March 3. A standout player who excels both offensively and defensively, Brown is coming off a breakout 2023 season, where she was named to the Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) All-Region second team.
The Owls have had a strong start to the 2025 season, boasting a 3-1 record, with Brown leading the charge. In the team’s first two wins over Rivier University and Norwich University, she recorded 12 points—seven goals and five assists—while also showcasing her defensive skills. Brown collected 12 ground balls and caused three turnovers in the Norwich game, further solidifying her value as a two-way player.
Brown said her journey to the midfield was not always a smooth transition. When she joined Keene State in 2022, she came in as a defender. She added her experience in that role remains a key part of her playing style, and it’s something she takes great pride in.
“Even though I’ve moved into more of a midfield role, I still think of myself as a defensive player first,” said Brown. “Defense is where I shine the best and where I feel like I can help my team the most.”
Her transition into a more offensive role, however, has been exceptional. The shift came after countless hours of practice, along with guidance from her teammates, such as previous Keene State standouts Haile Ratajack and Mindy St. Marie, who both graduated in 2024. Brown credited much of her success to the support of her teammates. “My teammates are some of my best friends,” Brown said. “They push me harder and harder each game.”
Brown said another factor in her growth as a player has been her strong relationship with third-year head coach Travis Wyant. Both arrived at Keene State in 2022, and their connection has helped foster an environment of trust and mutual respect that has been crucial in her development. With her ability to dominate both ends of the field, Brown has become a vital component of the Owls’ success this season. Her hard work, determination and leadership on and off the field make her one of the team’s most valuable players. Wyant said he especially sees the value that Brown adds as a leader on the field.
“Tess makes things pretty easy for a coach,” Wyant said. “She is very smart. She knows the game. She knows both sides of the ball. She’s kind of like a coach on the field,” he added.
“Coach Wyant has been great,” Brown said. “He really focuses on building relationships with his players, which has helped me become more confident in my game. He pushes me to improve and gives me the trust and freedom to play my style.”
While individual accolades have come Brown’s way, she is quick to share the spotlight with her teammates. “Honestly, I’d want to kind of share the wealth more,” she said. “I think a lot of my teammates deserve more credit than what’s necessarily given by the LEC. As much as I’m grateful for these awards, they’re also tough because they solely go off stats. There are a lot of players in the LEC who could easily earn these awards but don’t always get the recognition because their stats aren’t on the board.”
Both on and off the field, Brown—or TB12, as she is known to her teammates—is a leader who brings both intensity and warmth to the team. Those closest to her describe her as kind, trustworthy and supportive.
“[Brown] is one of the most hardworking, honorable and friendliest people I have met,” said junior Grace Christian, who said she has been best friends with Brown since their first year at Keene. “Whatever [Brown] does in life, she gives 100% and never gives up. She is generous, caring and will always stand up for the people she cares about.”
Brown’s growth as a player is also rooted in her upbringing. It is no surprise that Brown’s lacrosse IQ is so high, having grown up watching her older siblings star on the field. Following in their footsteps was always part of the plan. For Brown, lacrosse was a family affair. She started playing at a young age, following in the footsteps of her siblings and quickly fell in love with the game. “I would say around middle school,” Brown said when reflecting on when her love for the game began. “I have three older siblings, and they all played lacrosse, too. My sister was in college, and I’d watch her games. Seeing her play at the college level, I knew I wanted to be part of that.”
“My oldest sister, she’s an assistant coach at Keene right now on the Keene lacrosse team,” Brown said. “Watching her play at the college level, I knew that’s where I wanted to be. I wanted to be on that field and make a difference in that high-intensity game.”
As the 2025 season unfolds, Brown’s journey remains one of resilience, hard work and continuous growth. With her leadership and dedication, both on and off the field, the Keene State women’s lacrosse team has the drive to repeat last season’s success and go even further.
“I think she would be disappointed if I said anything less than all-region. I think that should be the expectation,” said Wyant, reflecting the high standards Brown has set for herself and the team.
With her pursuit of greatness in full swing, Brown is just getting started and the best is yet to come.
Elías Stowell Alemán can be contacted at
estowellaleman@kscequinox.com
