Hawkeye Fan Shop — A Black & Gold Store | 24 Hawkeyes to Watch 2017-18 | Hawk Talk Monthly — November 2017
IOWA CITY, Iowa – University of Iowa field hockey student-athletes Katie Birch and Maddy Murphy have earned National Field Hockey Coaches Association All-West Region recognition, the NFHCA announced Monday. Birch garnered first team honors, while Murphy was named to the second team.
Birch earned the second all-region honor of her career. The sophomore was a second team selection in 2016. A 2017 first team All-Big Ten selection, Birch led the team in goals (14), points (36), and shots (68). She finished the season ranked second in the conference in shots per game (3.83), third in goals (14) and goals per game (0.78), and second in points per game (2.0).
A native of York, England, Birch registered multi-goal games four times this season, including hat tricks against New Hampshire (7-1) and Indiana (4-3). Her 14 goals, eight assists, and a 36 points all marked single-season career-highs.
Murphy, a freshman, earns the first all-region recognition of her career. The second team All-Big Ten selection ranked second on the team in goals (11), points (25), and shots (34). Murphy tallied a team-high three game-winning goals this season, including Iowa’s lone goal in a 1-0 win over 24th-ranked Ohio State on Oct. 22.
A native of Riana, Tasmania, Murphy finished the season ranked fifth in the Big ten in goals per game (0.61), seventh in game-winning goals (0.17), and ninth in points per game (1.39). She registered a pair of multi-goal games, including a two goal and two assist performance against New Hampshire on Sept. 10.
