UNC senior field hockey star Ashley Hoffman–who recently led the Tar Heels to an undefeated season and a national championship–was announced Friday as the winner of the Honda Sport Award.

The award has been given for the last 43 years to the top athlete in 12 different women’s sports as a way to signify “the best of the best in college athletics.”

By winning it, Hoffman automatically becomes a finalist for the Collegiate Woman Athlete of the Year and the prestigious Honda Cup.

This past season, Hoffman tallied 16 goals and seven assists for the Tar Heels–all while leading a defense that surrendered just 16 total goals in 23 games.

“I could not be more thrilled for Ashley,” UNC head coach Karen Shelton said. “This is our sport’s most prestigious honor and it recognizes the fact that she was clearly the best player in the nation this season. She excelled on offense and defense and led us so well. She was the best player on the best team in the country.
 
“This award also recognizes the fact that she excelled academically and in community outreach during her four years,” the coach added. “She’s had an outstanding all-around career here – great player, great leader, great teammate, great student. She has made us all so proud and will go down in program history as one of our all-time best.”

 

 

Photo via UNC Athletics

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