NFHCA Proudly Announces 2024 Division I Regional Players of the Year

Dec 12, 2024 | 2024-2025, Division I, News

Regional Player of the Year(1)

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.

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.