Hampsch, van Aalsum named NFHCA Division I National Players of the Week

Sep 20, 2023 | 2023-2024, Division I, News

MANAHAWKIN, NJ  —  Senior goalkeeper from No. 5 Duke University, Piper Hampsch, and freshman midfielder from No. 1 University of Iowa, Dionne van Aalsum, have been named this week’s NFHCA Division I Defensive and Offensive Players of the Week, respectively.

Junior goalkeeper from No. 7 Rutgers University, Sophia Howard, and sophomore forward from University of Maine, Mallory Mackesy, received honorable mention nods for Division I Defensive and Offensive Players of the Week, respectively, as well.

NFHCA Division I Defensive Player of the Week

 

Piper Hampsch, No. 5 Duke, Sr., Goalkeeper (Hopedale, Massachusetts)

  • Recorded seven saves and back-to-back shutouts to lead the No. 5 Blue Devils to a 2-0 weekend, including a 1-0 start in ACC play. Against No. 10 Syracuse, Hampsch made three saves as Duke blanked the Orange, 4-0.
  • Syracuse was leading the nation in goals per game entering the game (5.4 per game). It was the first ACC shutout for Duke since 2019.
  • Against Old Dominion, the captain registered four saves as Duke edged Old Dominion, 1-0.
  • Hampsch has not allowed a goal for 129:12, recording her first back-to-back shutouts since 2020.

NFHCA Division I Offensive Player of the Week

 

Dionne van Aalsum, No. 1 University of Iowa, Fr., Midfielder (Castricum, Netherlands)

  • Amassed five goals, four assists and 14 points in 82 minutes of action as top-ranked Iowa (8-0) recorded a pair of wins at Grant Field.
  • Recorded third-straight hat trick and the game-winning goal in a 5-0 win over Vermont on Sept. 15.
  • Factored in five goals with two goals and three assists in Iowa’s 8-0 triumph of Merrimack on Sept. 17.
  • Extended multiple-goal scoring streak to eight games.
  • Leads the nation with 21 goals over eight contests, averaging 2.62 goals per game.

NFHCA Division I Defensive Player of the Week Honorable Mention

 

Sophia Howard, No. 7 Rutgers University, Jr., Goalkeeper (Auckland, New Zealand)

  • Recorded back-to-back shutouts for 7th-ranked Rutgers (8-0).
  • Held No. 16 Penn State scoreless for 72 minutes, posting seven saves in a 1-0 double overtime win Sept. 15 in University Park, Pa.
  • Extended shutout streak to 163 minutes in Rutgers’ home opener, a 2-0 win over LaSalle on Sept. 17.
  • The two-year captain leads the Big Ten in save percentage (.848).

NFHCA Division I Offensive Player of the Week Honorable Mention

 

Mallory Mackesy, University of Maine, So., Forward (Stony Creek, Ontario)

  • Totaled four goals and two assists for 10 points as Maine started conference play 2-0.
  • Scored both goals in the Black Bears’ 2-0 win over UC Davis.
  • Tallied two goals and two assists, including an assist on the game-winning goal in OT, as Maine edged Stanford 5-4.

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 stimulate the professional development of coaching leadership within the sport of field hockey. 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.