Nijziel Named B1G Defensive Player of the Week

IOWA CITY, Iowa — University of Iowa field hockey junior Anthe Nijziel was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week, the conference announced Monday.

The defensive honor is the first of Nijziel’s career and the first Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week for a Hawkeye since Katie Birch earned the award on Sept. 18, 2018.

In matchups against Rutgers (March 5) and Penn State (March 7), Nijziel played the full 120 minutes, keeping the Scarlet Knights shotless and only allowing one shot on goal from the Nittany Lions. The Hawkeyes are undefeated this season, recording four 1-0 shutouts over Indiana, Rutgers and Penn State, twice.

The Eindhoven, Netherlands, native scored the Hawkeyes’ lone goal in the win over Penn State off a penalty corner and assist from junior Leah Zellner.

Nijziel and the Hawkeyes return to action on Friday as Iowa hosts Michigan at 3 p.m. at Grant Field in Iowa City, Iowa.