For many aspiring field hockey players all over the world, signing for one of the top programs in the United States such as the North Carolina Tar Heels, Michigan Wolverines, and Penn State Nittany Lions is the ultimate ambition. Beyond the thrill of competing at a high level alongside some of the best players, it’s the chance to play under top-notch coaches, train at state-of-the-art facilities, be part of a close-knit team environment, live on a world-class campus, while at the same time earning a globally recognized degree.
If you’re one of those players, this blog feature will delve into the some of the frequently asked questions about field hockey scholarships, the key factors for recruiters, what scholarship opportunities are available across the different levels, and which FirstPoint athletes have enjoyed success Stateside.
How many collegiate field hockey programs are there in the United States?
In total, there are 286 universities across the United States offering women’s collegiate field hockey. A varsity sport, collegiate field hockey is governed by the NCAA with 82 programs in NCAA Division 1, a further 30 in NCAA D2 and 170 in NCAA D3.
With the huge appeal of playing and studying at some of the top universities in the States, it’s no surprise that some of the most recognisable athletes in the world cut their teeth in the US collegiate system, and rosters boast players from across the globe, with strong representation from Australia, Netherlands, Canada, United Kingdom, South Africa and Germany.
When it comes to Ivy League, there were field hockey players whose hometowns were from outside the United States. They comprise 29% of the league’s players, and Harvard (50%), Princeton (50%), and Yale (44%) have even higher international representation. Columbia was the only Ivy team without an international player last season.
What are the most important factors in recruitment?
Field hockey coaches typically recruit early and may be monitoring players from ages 15 or 16. Direct communication between players and NCAA coaches can take place from June of the GCSE year (sophomore year.) Division 1 field hockey has a global reach with players often having represented their home nation at junior level, which can certainly attract the attention of coaches as they look to strengthen their rosters.
Players with school AND club hockey experience will be most appealing and when evaluating potential recruits, coaches will want to see a highlight reel showcasing key assets such as fast paced play, positional awareness, strong stick skills in offence and defence, and position specific athleticism. Coaches prefer video where the opposition is strong, and players are being appropriately challenged and after watching a highlights reel, coaches may request a full match video.
From an academic perspective, coaches will request four years of school reports or transcripts to review the student athlete’s academic level and likelihood of admission, and those with stronger academics have more opportunities available to them.
Are there scholarships or financial aid available?
Across both DI and DII, there are athletic and academic scholarships available. The strongest academic players can benefit from both to significantly reduce the cost of university. Many DIII universities offer merit scholarships rewarding different aspects of a student’s talents, leadership and an ability to contribute to campus life. In addition, some universities will also offer means tested financial aid to help families close the gap in affordability.
Where are the best field hockey programs?
The University of North Carolina – affectionately known as the Tar Heels – are the dominant force in the collegiate game, lead the way in national title wins with no fewer than 11 championships, including five out of the last seven. The reigning national champions are the Northwestern University Wildcats, who won in 2021 and 2024, while other powerhouses include the likes of Virginia, UConn, Duke and Michigan.
Ivy League schools are also highly ranked, as well as being some of the most sought-after roster spots in the country. Princeton, who have two FirstPoint athletes on their current roster, are the reigning Ivy League champions and are currently ranked #9 nationally, winning the national championship in 2012, while Harvard is now number 5 in the country,
At NCAA DII level, the University of West Chester is the most successful program with academic powerhouses Tufts, John Hopkins, Williams and Amherst are regularly amongst the top NCAA DIII programs.
“Our international players that come in are very much blended into the family of Princeton field hockey. They’ve really added a lot to the game; they’ve added a lot to the culture, not just in our program, but in college hockey altogether.” says
Which FirstPoint Athletes Have Enjoyed Success in Field Hockey?
Our highest profile field hockey alum is Ireland international goalkeeper Ayeisha McFerran, who made history in becoming the first University of Louisville athlete to earn a spot in an Olympic Field Hockey roster when she represented Ireland in Tokyo. Having played for both Ulster and Ireland at all age group levels, she attracted the attention of a number of leading programs and she secured a scholarship to NCAA DI University of Louisville, crossing the Atlantic in 2015 to begin what was to be a hugely successful four-year student athlete career in the States.
Ayeisha also helped Ireland to a silver medal in the 2018 Women’s Hockey World Cup and was named Goalkeeper of the Tournament. She continues to be a standout for the Irish national side while playing professionally for SV Kampong in the Netherlands, and is a Red Bull ambassador.
Imogen Davies
Yale University
Following a successful stint within the Scotland U16s squad, Imogen was called-up to join the national U18 team and found huge success as part of their winning run to the Tri-Nations tournament against Wales and Switzerland. Working with FirstPoint USA, she secured a place at prestigious Ivy League school Yale University, where she enjoyed a highly successful collegiate field hockey career.
In recognition of her astute on and off-field performances, Imogen was named as official team captain in the Spring of 2020, becoming just the second-ever internationalist to lead the team as skipper – before being re-elected for the following season. She was a four-year ever present, bagging an impressive 21 goals and 27 assists in 67 games. Imogen graduated with a degree in European History and progressed onto a career in marketing, where she is now a Brand Manager with global consumer goods giant Proctor & Gamble.
Millie Forster
Saint Anselm College
FirstPoint alum Millie Forster was part of the Saint Anselm College field hockey team who recently secured the program’s first ever NCAA DII National Championship in 2024. The Hawks defeated Kutztown 1-0 in the final with a dramatic overtime winner, with Millie assisting with the winning goal. Their victory was all the more impressive having defeated three higher seeded opponents en route to the championship.
It was Saint Anselm College Athletics’ first ever National Championship in any sport, and to cap her success, Millie was also named on the National Championship’s All-Tournament team.
Anna Faulstich
Princeton University
Anna has represented England at U16s and U18s level, while also being selected for the
Great Britain Elite Development Programme. Prior to going to the States, she played in the Europe Hockey league (EHL) for East Grinstead, scoring in the Premier League Final against Surbiton.
Working with FirstPoint USA, she secured a coveted place at Princeton University and helped the Tigers to their 28th Ivy League title in her freshman season, also reaching the quarterfinals of the NCAA tournament. She received NFHCA National Academic Squad honors, by virtue of a cumulative GPA of at least 3.50 through the end of the fall semester.
