IOWA CITY, Iowa – Four University of Iowa field hockey student-athletes – fifth-years Grace McGuire, Anthe Nijziel and Lokke Stribos and senior Esme Gibson – have been named to the National Field Hockey Coaches Association Watch List, it was announced Thursday by the association.
The Hawkeye quartet are among 254 collegiate student-athletes from across the country included on the watch list. It is intended to represent players with the strongest potential for consideration to the 2022 NFHCA All-Region and All-America teams.
McGuire, a goalkeeper from St. Louis, Missouri, has led Iowa to a 5-1 record in six starts this season. She has a 0.863 goals against average, 17 saves, a .773 save percentage and two shutouts. A season ago, McGuire was a NFHCA second-team All-American and a NFHCA first-team All-West Region honoree.
Nijziel, a defender from Netherlands, has anchored an Iowa defense that has posted three shutouts and allowed just 7.2 shots per game in six contests. The two-time reigning Big Ten Player and Defensive Player of the Year has earned NFHCA first-team All-America honors in each of the past two seasons.
Stribos, a defender from Belgium, has started all six games on Iowa’s backline, where she has been a key member of a defense that has surrendered just five goals in six games. Stribos is a three-time NFHCA All-West Region honoree, earning first-team honors in each of the past two seasons.
Gibson, a midfielder from England, has started four of Iowa’s six games, where she has tallied a career-high three assists. As a junior, Gibson was a NFHCA third-team All-American and a first-team All-West Region honoree.
No. 5 Iowa returns to action Friday, hosting Indiana in its Big Ten opener at Grant Field. Game time is set for 4 p.m. (CT) and admission is free.
