Northwestern University Athletics
Maddie Zimmer Named NFHCA West Region Player of the Year
12/12/2024 8:54:00β―AM | Field Hockey
EVANSTON, Ill. β Northwestern senior Maddie Zimmer has been named the NFHCA West Region Player of the Year, capping an outstanding 2024 season in which she led the Wildcats to another stellar campaign. This marks the third consecutive year that a Northwestern player has claimed the prestigious honor, following in the footsteps of Bente Baekers (2022) and Lauren Wadas (2023).
Zimmer's recognition is a fitting tribute to her remarkable career, which has seen her consistently dominate on the field. In 2024, she started all 24 games for Northwestern, posting 10 goals and 12 assists for a total of 32 points. Her contributions were pivotal in Northwestern's run to the NCAA Tournament, where she delivered clutch performances in the most crucial moments, including a game-winning assist in overtime to send the Wildcats to the Final Four.
Among her standout achievements this season, Zimmer scored the game-winning goal in Northwestern's 2-0 victory over No. 5 Duke and assisted the overtime winner in the Wildcats' 2-1 triumph against No. 7 Michigan. Her offensive consistency and leadership were key factors in Northwestern's success, as she registered multiple-goal games, including a two-goal, one-assist effort in a 6-1 win over UMass and a dominant 7-2 victory against No. 19 Penn State.
Zimmer's list of accolades only continues to grow. She is now a four-time NFHCA All-West First Team honoree (2020-2024) and has earned multiple All-America honors, including being a two-time NFHCA First Team All-American (2021, 2022) and the NCAA Tournament's Most Outstanding Player in 2021 after helping lead Northwestern to the national title.
In addition to her on-field success, Zimmer has excelled academically, earning Academic All-Big Ten honors three times (2021-2023) and being named a Big Ten Distinguished Scholar in 2022 and 2023.
With this latest honor, Zimmer cements her place among Northwestern Field Hockey's all-time greats. Her leadership, tenacity, and impact on both sides of the ball have made her a central figure in the Wildcats' continued success.
