NFHCA Proudly Announces 2024 Division I Regional Players of the Year
MANAHAWKIN, NJ — The National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) is pleased to announce the five student-athletes who have been 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 Division I National Player of the Year honors.
Mid-Atlantic Region
Manu Ghigliotti, Saint Joseph’s University, Gr., Forward (Buenos Aires, Argentina)
- Named to the NFHCA All-Region Mid-Atlantic, First Team, her third selection to the First Team
- Named to the A10 First Team, her fourth consecutive nod
- Named to the NFHCA Senior Team
- Named to the A-10 All-Championship Team, and earned a spot on the NCAA Division I All-Tournament Team
- Tied for the A10 lead in points (40)
Mideast Region
Sophia Gladieux, Pennsylvania State University, Gr., Forward (Boyertown, Pennsylvania)
- Named to the NFHCA All-Region Mideast, First Team
- Named to the All-B1G, First Team
- Named to the NFHCA Senior Team
- Second in the nation in goals per game (1.18) and third in points per game (2.59)
- Established new career records at Penn State for goals (94) and points (202)
Northeast Region
Alison Smisdom, University at Albany, Sr., Midfielder/Defender (Antwerp, Belgium)
- Named to the NFHCA All-Region Northeast, First Team
- Named America East Midfielder of the Year
- Named to the America East First Team
- Named to the NFHCA Senior Team
- Fourth in the nation in points per game (2.42) and goals per game (1.05)
South Region
Ryleigh Heck, University of North Carolina, Jr., Forward (Ocean City, New Jersey)
- Named to the NFHCA All-Region South, First Team
- Named ACC Offensive Player of the Year
- Named to the First Team All-ACC
- Led the Tarheels and ACC as a playmaker with 15 assists (0.71 per game), ranking sixth nationally and first in the ACC
- This is her second-straight South Regional Player of the Year honor
West Region
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
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 2024 NFHCA Division I All-Region teams were announced. The Division I NFHCA All-American teams will be announced on December 17 and the NFHCA Division I National Player of the Year on December 19.