EVANSTON, Ill. - For the second year in a row, Northwestern field hockey's Maddie Zimmer has been tabbed National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) DI National Player of the Year. The graduate student midfielder brings home the esteemed accolade after another highly decorated and successful season at the helm of the now three-time NCAA Champion Wildcats.
An Olympian, captain, and four-time First Team All-American, Zimmer has been a leader on and off the field in her time at Northwestern. In her final collegiate season, the midfielder recorded 27 points with five goals and 17 assists. Thriving in an essential role on the turf, Zimmer's skill and speed played a key part in NU's 2025 National Championship campaign. Powering the 'Cats to a 22-1 season, she claims the honor of best in the nation after also earning her second consecutive selection as NFHCA West Region Player of the Year.
Scoring in every postseason game of her final season, Zimmer delivered crucial assists and plays to carry the 'Cats to reign in back-to-back seasons. Facing No. 1 seed North Carolina in the NCAA Semifinal, the midfielder notched three assists, including the overtime game-winner, to claim NU's spot in a fifth-straight title game. Becoming the first 'Cat in program history to be a three-time national champion, Zimmer was also named to the NCAA All-Tournament team and claimed Most Outstanding Player in each title run.
The first student-athlete in the conference to repeat as National Player of the Year, Zimmer also earned back-to-back selections for the Big Ten Player of the Year. A five-time All-Big Ten First Team honoree, Zimmer has been a star for the league since her collegiate debut, being named conference Freshman of the Year in 2020-21.
The first Wildcat to claim National Player of the Year, Zimmer joins accomplished company, becoming just the third DI student-athlete to repeat the accolade (Tara Vittese 2015-17, Erin Matson 2019-20, 2022). In 2024, Zimmer also earned the Honda Award for field hockey and is no stranger to being regarded as one of the best in the sport.
The award will be added to a long list and trophy case for Zimmer, who will go down in history as one of the best in Northwestern Athletics and field hockey history.
The 2025 @NFHCA ???????????????? Player of the Year. ??
— Northwestern Field Hockey (@NUFHCats) December 18, 2025
Maddie Zimmer, the ????????-????-???????? best on the field ?? pic.twitter.com/lQFX5Oasyd
An Olympian, captain, and four-time First Team All-American, Zimmer has been a leader on and off the field in her time at Northwestern. In her final collegiate season, the midfielder recorded 27 points with five goals and 17 assists. Thriving in an essential role on the turf, Zimmer's skill and speed played a key part in NU's 2025 National Championship campaign. Powering the 'Cats to a 22-1 season, she claims the honor of best in the nation after also earning her second consecutive selection as NFHCA West Region Player of the Year.
Scoring in every postseason game of her final season, Zimmer delivered crucial assists and plays to carry the 'Cats to reign in back-to-back seasons. Facing No. 1 seed North Carolina in the NCAA Semifinal, the midfielder notched three assists, including the overtime game-winner, to claim NU's spot in a fifth-straight title game. Becoming the first 'Cat in program history to be a three-time national champion, Zimmer was also named to the NCAA All-Tournament team and claimed Most Outstanding Player in each title run.
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— Northwestern Field Hockey (@NUFHCats) November 25, 2025
Three national titles + three-time Most Outstanding Player. One of the best to ever wear the ??. ???? pic.twitter.com/GRHYITwXp5
The first student-athlete in the conference to repeat as National Player of the Year, Zimmer also earned back-to-back selections for the Big Ten Player of the Year. A five-time All-Big Ten First Team honoree, Zimmer has been a star for the league since her collegiate debut, being named conference Freshman of the Year in 2020-21.
The first Wildcat to claim National Player of the Year, Zimmer joins accomplished company, becoming just the third DI student-athlete to repeat the accolade (Tara Vittese 2015-17, Erin Matson 2019-20, 2022). In 2024, Zimmer also earned the Honda Award for field hockey and is no stranger to being regarded as one of the best in the sport.
Honda Award Winner. Legend. Maddie Zimmer. ??
— Northwestern Field Hockey (@NUFHCats) February 1, 2025
3rd Wildcat to claim the honor, first since 1994. Olympian, 4x All-American, and 2024 NFHCA Player of the Year. On to the Honda Cup! ?? pic.twitter.com/KAv7dQdJGY
The award will be added to a long list and trophy case for Zimmer, who will go down in history as one of the best in Northwestern Athletics and field hockey history.