women's ice hockey team. Personal life She is the youngest of three children (Nikki and Ryan); her parents are Scott and Nancy. Collegiate biography She finished her three-season collegiate career as the University of Minnesota's (Western Collegiate Hockey Association) career points (246) and assists (144) leader. She was a three-time finalist for the Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award and a three-time All-American. As a junior (2004–05): Set an NCAA single-season record with 114 points (42-72) in 40 games … Led the nation in points per game (2.85) and assists (72) … Set a tournament record with nine points (3-6) in two games at the NCAA Women's Frozen Four … In the final game, scored the go-ahead goal with under a minute remaining to give Minnesota its second straight national title … Named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player and garnered All-America First Team honors … Top-three finalist for the 2005 Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award. As a sophomore (2003–04): All-America Second Team selection … 2004 Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award top-10 finalist … First Team All-WCHA selection … Named to the WCHA All-Academic and Academic All-Big Ten teams … Tied for second on the team in points (64), despite missing 10 games with an injury … Second in goals (27) and assists (37)… Had a WCHA-best 28 power-play points (10-18) … Three-time WCHA Offensive Player of the Week … Named to the WCHA All-Tournament Team … Scored her fourth hat trick of the season to lead the team to victory in the national title game … Named to the NCAA Women's Frozen Four All-Tournament Team. As a freshman (2002–03): All-America First Team selection … 2003 Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award top-10 finalist … WCHA Rookie of the Year … Team scoring leader (33-35–68) … First-Team All-WCHA selection and WCHA All-Rookie honoree.. Accomplishments and notes 2005 Bob Allen Women's Player of the Year Award - awarded by USA Hockey 2005 NCAA Frozen Four Most Outstanding Player 2002 Winter Olympic All Tournament Team - voted on by the International Ice Hockey Federation WCHA Team of the Decade (2000s) Career statistics International Collegiate Professional References Sources Müller, Stephan : International Ice Hockey Encyclopedia 1904-2005 / BoD GmbH Norderstedt, 2005 External links Natalie Darwitz - Biography from US Olympic Team.com Natalie Darwitz Photo from US Olympic Media Summit Sept 2009 1983 births American women's ice hockey forwards Ice hockey players from Minnesota Ice hockey players at the 2002 Winter