Northwestern University Athletics
Photo by: Ryan Kuttler/Northwestern Athletics
Baekers Named NFHCA West Player of the Year
11/30/2022 11:20:00β―AM | Field Hockey
EVANSTON, Ill. β Fifth-year forward Bente Baekers was named the NFHCA West Player of the Year, the National Field Hockey Coaches Association announced Wednesday. Baekers is one of five players nationally to receive honors as the best player in their region, and she is the first Wildcat to win the award since Chelsea Armstrong in 2012.Β
It's the latest accolade this season for Baekers, one of the most prolific scorers in NCAA history.Β She had already earned recognition on the NFHCA All-West First Team as well as first-team All-Big Ten, the NCAA All-Tournament Team, three Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week nods and a NFHCA Division I Player of the week award in 2022.Β
The Rijswijk, Netherlands native put together a dominant campaign in her final season, recording 58 points on 25 goals and eight assists to rank second in the nation in goals and points.
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Baekers started the season with a bang, scoring four goals in the season opener before finding the back of the net in each of the next six games. Her seven straight games with a goal to start the season were the most by a Wildcat since at least 1994.Β
Finishing where she started, BaekersΒ played a major role in helping Northwestern back to the national championship game for a second straight season. She scored in each of the team's final three games of the NCAA Tournament, each in clutch fashion as she forced overtime in the quarterfinals, scored the game-winner in the semifinals and netted the 59th minute equalizer in the championship.
The 2019 Big Ten Freshman of the Year scored in 17 of the Wildcats' 25 games, including six multi-goal performances.Β Her nose for the back of the cage propelled Northwestern to 20 wins, tying the program record for the most in a season that has stood since 1985.Β
Baekers finished the 2022 season ranked second in Northwestern history in career goals (86) and points (197). She has posted three of the top-10 seasons for goals scored in Northwestern history.Β
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It's the latest accolade this season for Baekers, one of the most prolific scorers in NCAA history.Β She had already earned recognition on the NFHCA All-West First Team as well as first-team All-Big Ten, the NCAA All-Tournament Team, three Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week nods and a NFHCA Division I Player of the week award in 2022.Β
The Rijswijk, Netherlands native put together a dominant campaign in her final season, recording 58 points on 25 goals and eight assists to rank second in the nation in goals and points.
Β
BAEKERS. SHOT. YES!!!
β Northwestern Field Hockey (@NUFHCats) November 18, 2022
Northwestern grabs the 1-0 lead in the fourth!!! pic.twitter.com/ve4sWsfH4i
Baekers started the season with a bang, scoring four goals in the season opener before finding the back of the net in each of the next six games. Her seven straight games with a goal to start the season were the most by a Wildcat since at least 1994.Β
Finishing where she started, BaekersΒ played a major role in helping Northwestern back to the national championship game for a second straight season. She scored in each of the team's final three games of the NCAA Tournament, each in clutch fashion as she forced overtime in the quarterfinals, scored the game-winner in the semifinals and netted the 59th minute equalizer in the championship.
The 2019 Big Ten Freshman of the Year scored in 17 of the Wildcats' 25 games, including six multi-goal performances.Β Her nose for the back of the cage propelled Northwestern to 20 wins, tying the program record for the most in a season that has stood since 1985.Β
Baekers finished the 2022 season ranked second in Northwestern history in career goals (86) and points (197). She has posted three of the top-10 seasons for goals scored in Northwestern history.Β
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Players Mentioned
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