Roeper, Howard named NFHCA Division I National Players of the Week

Oct 2, 2024 | 2024-2025, Division I, News

MANAHAWKIN, NJ  — Alice Roeper, a junior midfielder from James Madison University, and Sophia Howard, a senior goalkeeper from Rutgers University, have been named this week’s NFHCA Division I Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week, respectively. Isabella Ospitale, a junior goalkeeper from Temple University, also received an honorable mention nod for Defensive Player of the Week.

The NFHCA Player of the Week is sponsored by Victory Sports Tours.

NFHCA Division I Defensive Player of the Week

Sophia Howard, Rutgers University, Sr., Goalkeeper (Auckland, New Zealand)

  • B1G Defensive Player of the Week.
  • Made a season-high six saves in a victory over then No. 7 Iowa, stopping three of the four attempts to boost Rutgers to a 3-1 margin in a penalty shootout.
  • Earned her 30th collegiate win and surpassed 200 collegiate saves in the win.

NFHCA Division I Offensive Player of the Week

 

Alice Roeper, James Madison University, Jr., Midfielder (Delft, The Netherlands)

  • Paced the JMU offense with four goals.
  • Netted the game-winner in a 3-2 victory over Central Michigan before recording her first hat trick in a 7-0 win over Queens University of Charlotte.
  • Her seven goals in seven contests gives her a MAC-leading 1.00 goals per game average.

NFHCA Division I Defensive Player of the Week Honorable Mention

Isabella Ospitale, Temple University, Jr., Goalkeeper (South Setauket, N.Y.)

  • Big East Defensive Player of the Week.
  • Played every minute in goal for the Owls in a 2-0 week where Temple defeated a pair of ranked opponents.
  • Delivered her second consecutive shutout, stopping four shots along the way against then-No. 18 Old Dominion, the first win for the Owls against the Monarchs since 2016 before earning the win over then-No. 20 Monmouth.
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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.