Zimmer, van Gils, and Griffin tabbed as NFHCA 2024 National Players of the Year

Dec 19, 2024 | 2024-2025, Division I, Division II, Division III, News

MANAHAWKIN, NJ — Northwestern University’s Maddie Zimmer, East Stroudsburg University’s Jady van Gils, and Middlebury College’s Amy Griffin, all senior midfielders, have been honored as the National Player of the Year in their respective divisions for their outstanding performances during the 2024 season.

Their collective talent extends far beyond individual achievements, solidifying their status as leaders in excellence and distinction within the competitive realm of collegiate field hockey. The NFHCA National Player of the Year announcement represents the crowning achievement in a season of prestigious postseason accolades. Looking ahead, the NFHCA will shift its focus to coach awards and academic honors, set to be announced in January and February, respectively.

Ryleigh Heck, Division I

Division I

Maddie Zimmer, Northwestern University, Sr., Midfielder (Hershey, Pennsylvania)

  • Named to the NFHCA All-Region West, First Team
  • Big Ten Player of the Year, and named to B1G All-Tournament Team
  • Named NCAA Division I Tournament MVP, and anchored her team in the quest for the 2024 NCAA National Championship title
  • Named to the NFHCA Senior Team
  • Delivered as a clutch player, tallying three game-winning assists and one game-winning goal on the 23-1 Wildcat season
Jady van Gils

Division II

Jady van Gils, East Stroudsburg University, Jr., Midfielder (Amersfoort, The Netherlands)

  • Named PSAC Athlete of the Year
  • Named to NCAA Division II All-Tournament Team
  • Named to the PSAC First Team All-Conference
  • Named to the NFHCA Senior Team
  • This is van Gils second-straight NFHCA Atlantic Region Player of the Year and NFHCA Division II National Player of the Year honor
Amy Griffin

Division III

Amy Griffin, Middlebury College, Jr., Midfielder (Wilmette, Illinois)

  • Named to NFHCA All-Region II, First Team
  • Named the NESCAC Defensive Player of the Year for the second-straight campaign
  • Named to the All-NESCAC First Team
  • Named to NCAA Division III All-Tournament Team for the fourth time in her career
  • Tied for seventh in the nation for assists per game (0.67) with 14 assists across 21 games
  • This is Griffin’s second-straight NFHCA Division III National Player of the Year honor

The National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) is a nonprofit organization serving field hockey coaches and supporters of the game from across the United States. The mission of the organization is to champion, strengthen, and celebrate field hockey coaches and the game. The NFHCA strives to cultivate and recognize the professional contributions of its membership and to foster and promote the growth of the sport. The NFHCA is responsible for providing a recognizable presence and voice in regard to legislation affecting the sport as well as interscholastic and intercollegiate programs.