EVANSTON, Ill. – Maddie Zimmer and Bente Baekers of Northwestern Field Hockey were each named NFHCA First Team All-Americans on Wednesday. It marks the second-straight All-American nod for the sophomore Zimmer and the third-straight for the redshirt junior Baekers.
The honors cap off an already unforgettable 2021 fall campaign for the Wildcats, who captured their first national championship in program history in November with a 2-0 win over Liberty. Zimmer was also named the NCAA Tournament's Most Outstanding Player following the 'Cats' title run.
This marks the third-consecutive season Baekers has taken home NFHCA All-American honors. She becomes the fifth Wildcat ever to be a three-time All-American and the first since Northwestern's all-time scoring leader Chelsea Armstrong (2010-12). Baekers was named First Team All-Big Ten earlier in the season after leading the National Champion Wildcats and ranking second in the conference with 45 points (t-9th most in program history) and 18 goals (t-18th most in program history). Baekers recorded three hat tricks during the regular season, and most notably scored the game-winning goal in overtime of the NCAA Semifinals against Harvard to send the 'Cats to the National Championship game.
Zimmer earns her second NFHCA All-American nod in just her second season with Northwestern, joining Baekers as the second player on the Wildcats' active roster to earn multiple All-American accolades. Zimmer also earned First Team All-Big Ten honors and finished fourth on the team with nine goals along with three assists. During the Wildcats' NCAA Tournament run, Zimmer sealed a first round win over the three-time defending champions, North Carolina with a fastbreak empty-net goal, and also scored one of the 'Cats' two goals in the NCAA Championship against Liberty.
The honors cap off an already unforgettable 2021 fall campaign for the Wildcats, who captured their first national championship in program history in November with a 2-0 win over Liberty. Zimmer was also named the NCAA Tournament's Most Outstanding Player following the 'Cats' title run.
This marks the third-consecutive season Baekers has taken home NFHCA All-American honors. She becomes the fifth Wildcat ever to be a three-time All-American and the first since Northwestern's all-time scoring leader Chelsea Armstrong (2010-12). Baekers was named First Team All-Big Ten earlier in the season after leading the National Champion Wildcats and ranking second in the conference with 45 points (t-9th most in program history) and 18 goals (t-18th most in program history). Baekers recorded three hat tricks during the regular season, and most notably scored the game-winning goal in overtime of the NCAA Semifinals against Harvard to send the 'Cats to the National Championship game.
Zimmer earns her second NFHCA All-American nod in just her second season with Northwestern, joining Baekers as the second player on the Wildcats' active roster to earn multiple All-American accolades. Zimmer also earned First Team All-Big Ten honors and finished fourth on the team with nine goals along with three assists. During the Wildcats' NCAA Tournament run, Zimmer sealed a first round win over the three-time defending champions, North Carolina with a fastbreak empty-net goal, and also scored one of the 'Cats' two goals in the NCAA Championship against Liberty.