NFHCA announces 2021 NFHCA Division I Regional Players of the Year

Nov 29, 2021 | 2021-2022, Division I, News

2021 NFHCA Regional Players of the Year

BROCKPORT, N.Y. — Five student-athletes were selected to represent their respective region as the NFHCA Division I Regional Player of the Year. Each regional award winner is now in the running for NFHCA National Player of the Year honors.

Mid-Atlantic Region

Brooke DeBerdine, University of Maryland, Gr., Midfielder (Lancaster, Pennsylvania)

  • Named to NFHCA Division I Mid-Atlantic Region, First Team
  • First-Team All-Big Ten
  • Named to 2021 NFHCA Division I Senior Team
  • First Terrapin in program history to start in 100 career games
  • NCAA Division I Field Hockey Championship All-Tournament Team selection

Mideast Region

Sophia Gladieux, Penn State University, So., Midfielder (Boyertown, Pennsylvania)

  • Named to NFHCA Division I Mideast Region, First Team
  • Unanimous All-Big Ten First-Team selection
  • Named to the 2021 Big Ten All-Tournament Team
  • Two-time Big-Ten Offensive Player of the Week
  • Finished the season with a team best 38 points on 18 goals and two assists

Northeast Region

Hannah Pearce, Harvard University, Sr., Defender (Johannesburg, South Africa)

  • Named to NFHCA Division I Northeast Region, First Team
  • Ivy League Defensive Player of the Year
  • Unanimous All-Ivy League First-Team selection
  • Two-time Ivy League Offensive Player of the Week and one-time Ivy League Defensive Player of the Week
  • Selected to NCAA Division I Field Hockey Championship All-Tournament Team

South Region

Jill Bolton, Liberty University, Sr., Forward (Souderton, Pennsylvania)

  • Named to NFHCA Division I South Region, First Team
  • First-Team All-BIG EAST
  • BIG EAST Championship Tournament MVP
  • Named to NCAA Field Hockey Championship All-Tournament Team
  • Led the Flames and the BIG EAST in goals (19) and points (45) helping Liberty to their first-ever appearance in the NCAA Finals

West Region

Anthe Nijziel, University of Iowa, Sr., Defender (Eindhoven, The Netherlands)

  • Named to NFHCA Division I West Region, First Team
  • Co-Big Ten Player of the Year and Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year
  • Unanimous All-Big Ten First-Team selection
  • Three-time Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week and two-time NFHCA Defensive Player of the Week
  • Led the Hawkeyes to a nation-best scoring margin (2.52) and was pivotal in Iowa’s 11 shutouts this season, tied for the most in the nation

The NFHCA Division I Regional Player of the Year announcement is the second in a list of postseason awards from the NFHCA. Last week the 2021 NFHCA Division I All-Region teams were announced. The Division I All-American teams will be announced on December 14 and the NFHCA National Player of the Year on December 16.

Mid-Atlantic photo credit: Maryland Athletics

Mideast photo credit: Penn State Athletics

Northeast photo credit: Kirsten Doherty/Harvard Athletics

South photo credit: Ross Kohl

West photo credit: hawkeyesports.com

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.