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van Cleef, Young NFHCA DI Field Hockey Players of the Week

Sep 2, 2026 | 2026-2027, Division I, News

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO  — Fréderique van Cleef, a fifth year forward from the University of Iowa, and Emily Young, a senior goalkeeper from the University of Louisville, have been named this week’s NFHCA Division I Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week, respectively. Niamh McKenzie, a graduate student forward from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and Maddi Sears, a senior goalkeeper from Villanova University, also received honorable mention nods for Offensive and Defensive Player of the Week. The NFHCA Player of the Week program is sponsored by Wrappit Wrappit.

NFHCA Division I Offensive Player of the Week

Fréderique van Cleef, University of Iowa, Fifth Year, Forward (Asten, Netherlands)

  • Compiled five points on two goals and one assist to help Iowa earn wins over then-No. 7 Wake Forest and then-No. 2 North Carolina in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge.
  • Sparked Iowa’s comeback from a three-goal deficit against Wake Forest with a third-quarter goal and assisted on the overtime game-winner before scoring the game-tying goal against North Carolina.
  • Earned Big Ten Co-Offensive Player of the Week honors.

NFHCA Division I Defensive Player of the Week

Emily Young, University of Louisville, Senior, Goalkeeper (Houston, TX)

  • Totaled 22 saves to lead Louisville to a 2-0 opening weekend, including a career-high 14 saves in an overtime win over Indiana.
  • Made eight saves in a win over then-No. 10 Miami and held the RedHawks to one goal on five shootout attempts.
  • Earned ACC Defensive Player of the Week honors.

NFHCA Division I Honorable Mention

Offensive: Niamh McKenzie, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Graduate Student, Forward (Christchurch, New Zealand)

  • Scored both the game-tying and game-winning goals in UMass’ 3-2 win over then-No. 8 Liberty and added a goal and an assist in the win over Maine.
  • Earned MAC Offensive Player of the Week honors after finishing the weekend with three goals on four shots.

Defensive: Maddi Sears, Villanova University, Senior, Goalkeeper (Avondale, PA)

  • Tallied 15 saves across a 2-0 opening weekend for the Wildcats, including nine in a 2-1 win over Delaware and six in a shutout against La Salle.
  • Earned BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Week honors.
The NFHCA National Player of the Week program honors an offensive and defensive player of the week, in each division, throughout the season.