IOWA CITY, Iowa – University of Iowa field hockey seniors Mia Magnotta, Milly Short, juniors Dionne van Aalsum, Gia Whalen and freshman Jordan Byers have been named to the National Field Hockey Coaches Association Watchlist, it was announced Thursday.
The NFHCA Watchlist represents top collegiate student-athletes who are early contenders for this year’s NFHCA All-Region and All-American teams.
Magnotta played the duration of all 18 games last season and has made 38 consecutive starts for Iowa. She allowed 23 goals, tallied 88 saves and was part of nine Hawkeye shutouts.
The Forty-Fort, Pennsylvania, native ranked in the top-10 in four Big Ten categories: third in saves per game (4.89, 28th nationally), second in save percentage (.793, sixth nationally), sixth in average goals against (1.18, 17th nationally), and fifth in goalie win-loss percentage (.500, 39th nationally).
Short started all 18 games, logging 1,133 minutes, tallying a goal and two assists. She has made 37 consecutive starts for the Hawkeyes. Iowa’s defense ranked fourth in the nation in shutouts (nine) and shutouts per game (.50).
Van Aalsum started 17 games and played a key factor offensively as she led the team with nine goals and 19 points. She had a team-high five game winning goals and played 973 minutes.
Whalen held down the midfield for the Hawkeyes making 17 starts. The Paoli, Pennsylvania native played in every game logging 981 total minutes and registered two goals.
Byers, a freshman, was a three-time PHSFHCA All-State first team selection and the 2024 PennLive Field Hockey Player of the Year. The Landisburg, Pennsylvania, native is a two-time NFHCA High School Third-Team All-American and was a 2024 Max Field Hockey First Team All-American.
The Hawkeyes, ranked 15th in the Penn Monto/NFHCA preseason poll, open the season hosting the Big Ten/ACC Challenge. Iowa will face No. 20 Wake Forest on Friday and second-ranked North Carolina on Sunday.