Beerworth Garners Big Red MVP Honors

ITHACA, N.Y. -- The Big Red women's hockey team celebrated its 2007-08 season at its annual team banquet on Friday, April 18 at the Ithaca Yacht Club. The coaching staff handed out team awards, as well as academic, league and national honors. Team co-captain Caeleigh Beerworth was named the team's MVP, while freshman Rebecca Johnston was named rookie of the year.  

Beerworth earned her second team MVP honors, after being a recipient her sophomore season. The senior forward was second on the team in points with 30, with 12 goals and 18 assists. She played in all 30 games for Cornell this season, and totals 112 for his career. Beerworth wraps up her four years at Cornell with 72 points, including 27 goals and 45 assists.  

Johnston was named the team's rookie of the year after receiving the ECAC Hockey Rookie of the Year and Ivy League Rookie of the Year awards. A first-team All-ECAC member, Johnston was the first Cornell player to be named first team or receive rookie of the year honors. She completed her freshman campaign leading Cornell in points with 32 including 16 goals and 16 assists. Johnston became the first Cornell player to earn 30 points in a season since the 1997-98 campaign. She was also first team All-Ivy.  

The Wendell & Francelia Earle Award for Outstanding Academic Achievement is awarded to one player from each class. The recipients produced the highest combined GPA for the last two semesters including spring 2007 and fall 2007. Senior Brittany Forgues, junior Steph Ulrich, and sophomore Kelly McGinty have earned the award this season. The freshman award winner will be named at the conclusion of the spring semester.  

This year's team captains, Caeleigh Beerworth and Brittany Forgues, were given the Team Captains Award named after Diane Dillon, Elizabeth Madden and Digit Murphy of the class of 1983. They received plaques and captains' blankets sponsored by C. Morton Bishop `74, President of Pendleton Woolen Mills.  

Freshman defenseman Amber Overguard was awarded the Unsung Hero award. Overguard played in 17 games for the Big Red before being sidelined for the remainder of the season due to medical reasons. The rookie continued her dedication to the team from the stands and video room, and looks forward to returning to the ice in the fall.  

Fellow freshman and defenseman, Amber Moore, was awarded the Kate Hallada Pinhey '83 Most Improved Player Award. Moore played in all 30 games for Cornell, registering two goals and two assists. The rookie registered the game-winning goal in the Big Red's Dec. 7 win over Princeton.  

Sophomore Kelly McGinty was awarded the Tompkins Girls Hockey Association-Cub Club Mentor Award. McGinty was chosen by her peers as someone who made an extra effort this season to reach out and mentor her Little Sister.  

Forgues was also awarded the William F. Fuerst, Jr. '39 Cornell BIG RED Player Award. Forgues was third on the team in points with 25, including seven goals and a team-high 18 assists. The senior co-captain also notched four power-play and one shorthanded goal.  

The team also recognized its recipients of ECAC All-Academic honors. All members must have a 3.0 cumulative grade point average. This year's recipients include Beerworth, Forgues, McGinty, Kayla Strong, Steph Ulrich and Sam Wauer.  

Cornell finished its season with a 12-17-1 overall record, and finished eighth in ECAC Hockey with a 9-12-1 mark.