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

Sep 13, 2023 | 2023-2024, Division I, News

MANAHAWKIN, NJ  —  Junior goalkeeper from No. 6 University of Virginia, Tyler Kennedy, 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.

Sophomore defender from No. 10 Rutgers University, Puck Winter, and senior midfielder from Cornell University, Caroline Ramsey, 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

 

Tyler Kennedy, No. 6 University of Virginia, Jr., Goalkeeper (Houston, Texas)

  • ACC Defensive Player of the Week.
  • Posted her second shutout of the season on Sunday vs No. 15 Harvard.
  • Recorded four saves in each of UVA’s games.

NFHCA Division I Offensive Player of the Week

 

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

  • Scored eight goals (in 65 minutes of action) in Iowa’s wins versus Central Michigan and UMass Lowell.
  • Became first Hawkeye to record a hat-trick since 2019 and the first to net four goals in a game since 2016.
  • Scored three goals in a span of two minutes, 48 seconds against Central Michigan.
  • Extended goal-scoring streak to six games.
  • Paces the nation with 16 goals in six games, averaging 2.67 goals per contest.

NFHCA Division I Defensive Player of the Week Honorable Mention

 

Puck Winter, No. 10 Rutgers University, So., Defender (Deventer, Netherlands)

  • The back stood out at both ends of the field in helping No. 10 Rutgers to road wins against Villanova and Princeton as the Scarlet Knights improved to 6-0.
  • Played every minute of both games and scored a pair of game-winning goals.
  • Recorded a hat-trick and defensive save at Villanova and scored the game-winning goal in double overtime at Princeton, helping limit the Tigers to one shot on goal.

NFHCA Division I Offensive Player of the Week Honorable Mention

 

Caroline Ramsey, Cornell University, Sr., Forward (Morristown, New Jersey)

  • Against three preseason NFHCA top 20 opponents to start the year, Ramsey tallied five goals, had a key defensive save, and was the dominant force while playing 194 out of 200 minutes for the Big Red in its 1-2 start.
  • She converted on both of Cornell’s penalty corners to get the team off to a 2-0 lead at No. 6 Syracuse before falling to the unbeaten Orange, 4-2.
  • She then scored the game-tying and game-winning goals in the second half in a 2-1 win over UConn on Friday, though just as big was her key defensive save in the first half that kept the score at 1-0 Huskies.
  • In the first two matches, Ramsey scored on 4-of-5 penalty corners earned by the Big Red.
  • Ramsey scored a game-tying goal on Sunday against No. 20 University of Albany. The Great Danes eventually won in a shootout.
  • She moved into third place on the school’s career goals list (36), edged up to eighth in career points (79) and added to her own school record with her 14th career defensive save.

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.