University of Massachusets Athletics
Photo by: Chris Tucci - UMass Athletics
Three Minutewomen Named NFHCA National All-Americans
December 17, 2024 | Field Hockey
MANAHAWKIN, NJ -- Three members of the University of Massachusetts field hockey program were named to the 2024 National Field Hockey Coaches Association Division I All-American Teams, the organization announced Tuesday.
Claire Danahy was named to the First Team, Myrte van Herwijnen received Second Team recognition while Hannah de Gast made the Third Team. Danahy's selection marks the first NFHCA First-Team All-American honor for a Minutewoman since Makaela Potts in 2010. Massachusetts receives three NFHCA All-American selections for the first time since Sherlan Cabralis, Jenn Salisbury, Phillipa Scott each earned the national honor in 1991.
Claire Danahy received her first career NFHCA All-American honor after leading Massachusetts while ranking fifth in the A-10 with 29 points. An All-Atlantic 10 First Team and NCAA All-Tournament Team recipient, Danahy led the A-10 and ranked seventh nationally with 13 assists.
Danahy served as a key offensive catalyst scoring five game-winning goals on the year, including the game sealing tally against Harvard to secure Massachusetts' first final four berth since 1992. The Chelmsford, Massachusetts native also received NFHCA Northeast First Team All-Region and All-ECAC First Team honors in the wake of her impressive 2024 campaign.
Myrte van Herwijnen, a two-time NFHCA Northeast First Team All-Region selection, earns her first career All-American honor after anchoring the Massachusetts defense for the entirety of its historic 2024 campaign. The two-time Atlantic 10 Goalkeeper of The Year and First Team Selection led the conference while ranking fifth nationally with a .798 save percentage. A consistent performer, Van Herwijnen earned three straight Atlantic 10 Defensive Player of the Week honors as well as NFHCA Division 1 National Defensive Player of the Week selection over the course of the season. The Huizen, The Netherlands native ranked 10th nationally while sitting second in the A-10 with a 1.05 goals against average. Van Herwijnen concluded the 2024 season with a stellar 11 saves across three NCAA Tournament games, including six against Northwestern in the Final Four.
Hannah de Gast, who received her first NFHCA All-American selection, was as a key all-around contributor for the Minutewomen totaling 21 points on six goals and nine assists. The Zeist, The Netherlands native ranked sixth in the A-10 and top-25 nationally with 10 assists. De Gast served as the primary penalty corner inserter for a Massachusetts team which ranked no. 1 in the A-10 and No. 3 nationally with 181 corners on the year. The senior midfielder also earned NFHCA Northeast First Team All-Region and All-Atlantic 10 Second Team recognition following the 2024 season.
The NFHCA Division I All-American announcement is the third in a list of postseason awards from the NFHCA. The association has already released the 2024 NFHCA Division I All-Region teams and the 2024 NFHCA Division I Regional Players of the Year. The NFHCA Division I National Player of the Year will be announced on December 19.
Claire Danahy was named to the First Team, Myrte van Herwijnen received Second Team recognition while Hannah de Gast made the Third Team. Danahy's selection marks the first NFHCA First-Team All-American honor for a Minutewoman since Makaela Potts in 2010. Massachusetts receives three NFHCA All-American selections for the first time since Sherlan Cabralis, Jenn Salisbury, Phillipa Scott each earned the national honor in 1991.
Claire Danahy received her first career NFHCA All-American honor after leading Massachusetts while ranking fifth in the A-10 with 29 points. An All-Atlantic 10 First Team and NCAA All-Tournament Team recipient, Danahy led the A-10 and ranked seventh nationally with 13 assists.
Danahy served as a key offensive catalyst scoring five game-winning goals on the year, including the game sealing tally against Harvard to secure Massachusetts' first final four berth since 1992. The Chelmsford, Massachusetts native also received NFHCA Northeast First Team All-Region and All-ECAC First Team honors in the wake of her impressive 2024 campaign.
Myrte van Herwijnen, a two-time NFHCA Northeast First Team All-Region selection, earns her first career All-American honor after anchoring the Massachusetts defense for the entirety of its historic 2024 campaign. The two-time Atlantic 10 Goalkeeper of The Year and First Team Selection led the conference while ranking fifth nationally with a .798 save percentage. A consistent performer, Van Herwijnen earned three straight Atlantic 10 Defensive Player of the Week honors as well as NFHCA Division 1 National Defensive Player of the Week selection over the course of the season. The Huizen, The Netherlands native ranked 10th nationally while sitting second in the A-10 with a 1.05 goals against average. Van Herwijnen concluded the 2024 season with a stellar 11 saves across three NCAA Tournament games, including six against Northwestern in the Final Four.
Hannah de Gast, who received her first NFHCA All-American selection, was as a key all-around contributor for the Minutewomen totaling 21 points on six goals and nine assists. The Zeist, The Netherlands native ranked sixth in the A-10 and top-25 nationally with 10 assists. De Gast served as the primary penalty corner inserter for a Massachusetts team which ranked no. 1 in the A-10 and No. 3 nationally with 181 corners on the year. The senior midfielder also earned NFHCA Northeast First Team All-Region and All-Atlantic 10 Second Team recognition following the 2024 season.
The NFHCA Division I All-American announcement is the third in a list of postseason awards from the NFHCA. The association has already released the 2024 NFHCA Division I All-Region teams and the 2024 NFHCA Division I Regional Players of the Year. The NFHCA Division I National Player of the Year will be announced on December 19.
Players Mentioned
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