Manu Ghigliotti from Saint Joseph’s University, Penn State University’s Sophia Gladieux, Ryleigh Heck from the University of North Carolina and Northwestern University’s Maddie Zimmer have been announced as the four finalists for the Class of 2025 Honda Sport Award for Field Hockey, as revealed today by Chris Voelz, Executive Director of The Collegiate Women Sports Awards (CWSA).

The Honda Sport Award has been presented annually by the CWSA for the past 49 years, recognizing the top women athletes in 12 NCAA-sanctioned sports and symbolizing “the best of the best in collegiate athletics.” The recipient of the sport award will become a finalist for the prestigious Collegiate Woman Athlete of the Year and the 2025 Honda Cup, which will be presented during the live broadcast of the Collegiate Women Sports Awards Presented by Honda on CBS Sports Network in June.

The women’s field hockey finalists by a panel of experts and coaches from the National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA). The Honda Sport award winner for field hockey will be later this week after voting by administrators from over 1,000 NCAA member schools. Each NCAA member institution has a vote. 

Ghigliotti, a graduate student and forward from Buenos Aires, Argentina, has had an exceptional career at Saint Joseph’s University. A two-time NFHCA First Team All-American and the 2024 NFHCA Mid-Atlantic Region Player of the Year, Ghigliotti has earned NFHCA All-Region honors four times, including three First Team selections. She is also a four-time First Team All-A10 honoree, a member of the 2024 NFHCA Senior Team, and was named to the 2024 NCAA All-Tournament Team.

Gladieux, a graduate student and forward from Boyertown, Penn., has cemented her legacy as one of Penn State University’s most decorated athletes. A two-time Honda Award finalist for field hockey, Gladieux is a four-time NFHCA First Team All-American and a five-time All-American overall. She has been named NFHCA Mideast Region Player of the Year three times and earned First Team NFHCA All-Region honors five times.

Heck, a junior forward from Ocean City, N.J., has established herself as a standout athlete at the University of North Carolina. The Class of 2023 Honda Award winner for field hockey and a two-time Honda Award finalist, Heck was named the 2024 ACC Offensive Player of the Year and is a two-time NFHCA South Region Player of the Year. A two-time NFHCA First Team All-American, she has also earned First Team All-ACC honors three times.

Zimmer, a senior midfielder from Hershey, Pa., has had a remarkable career at Northwestern University. Named the 2024 NFHCA National Player of the Year, Zimmer is a three-time NFHCA First Team All-American and a four-time All-American overall. Her accolades this season include being recognized as the 2024 Big Ten Player of the Year and the 2024 NFHCA West Region Player of the Year. She was also named the 2024 NCAA Tournament MVP after scoring five points on two goals and an assist in the final.

The CWSA, now in its 49th year, celebrates the nation’s top NCAA women athletes for their excellence in athletics, leadership, academics, and community service. Since its partnership began in 1986, Honda has provided more than $3.4 million in institutional grants to the universities of award winners and nominees, supporting the growth and success of women’s athletics programs.

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