Northwestern University Athletics
Field Hockey Coaches Named NFHCA Regional Staff of the Year
12/8/2023 10:11:00β―AM | Field Hockey
EVANSTON, Ill. β Head Coach Tracey Fuchs, Associate Head Coach Georgia Holland and Assistant Coach Will Byrne were named the NFHCA West Region Coaching Staff of the Year on Friday. This year's award is the third straight for Fuchs and her staff and the fourth Regional Staff of the Year selection in program history.
Fuchs, Holland and Byrne led the Wildcats to a program-record 21 straight wins during the 2023 season, including 13 shutouts and 12 victories over ranked opponents. The 21 wins were the most in Northwestern history, included Big Ten regular season and tournament titles, and culminated in a third straight trip to the National Championship game. After finishing the season at No. 2 in the NFHCA DI Coaches Poll, the staff has now completed back-to-back-to-back seasons ranked in the top five nationally.
Under the group's tutelage, a program-record seven Wildcats earned All-Big Ten distinction, including five first team selections - the team's most since 1994. Annabel Skubisz earned the conference's inaugural Goalkeeper of the Year award and three 'Cats each were selected to the Big Ten and NCAA All-Tournament Teams. In addition, seven players were named to the NFHCA All-Region Team and Lauren Wadas became the second straight Northwestern player to earn NFHCA West Player of the Year honors.
In November, Fuchs was named Big Ten Coach of the Year for the second time in her career. The current staff has been named the West Region Staff of the Year each of the last three seasons and were named the National Staff of the Year following the National Championship in 2021.
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Fuchs, Holland and Byrne led the Wildcats to a program-record 21 straight wins during the 2023 season, including 13 shutouts and 12 victories over ranked opponents. The 21 wins were the most in Northwestern history, included Big Ten regular season and tournament titles, and culminated in a third straight trip to the National Championship game. After finishing the season at No. 2 in the NFHCA DI Coaches Poll, the staff has now completed back-to-back-to-back seasons ranked in the top five nationally.
Under the group's tutelage, a program-record seven Wildcats earned All-Big Ten distinction, including five first team selections - the team's most since 1994. Annabel Skubisz earned the conference's inaugural Goalkeeper of the Year award and three 'Cats each were selected to the Big Ten and NCAA All-Tournament Teams. In addition, seven players were named to the NFHCA All-Region Team and Lauren Wadas became the second straight Northwestern player to earn NFHCA West Player of the Year honors.
In November, Fuchs was named Big Ten Coach of the Year for the second time in her career. The current staff has been named the West Region Staff of the Year each of the last three seasons and were named the National Staff of the Year following the National Championship in 2021.
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Players Mentioned
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