TROY, N.Y. -- The Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) women's ice hockey team recently held its season-ending banquet, where the team's 2007-08 award winners were announced. Five honors were handed out by fifth-year head coach John Burke and his staff.

Earning the team's highest award, the Most Valuable Player, was defenseman Melissa Boik. The junior from Allen Park, Mich., was the Engineers' third-leading defenseman in scoring with three goals and nine assists for 12 points in 33 games. She tallied a point or more in eight games and ranked fourth on the team in plus/minus with a +7.

Boik, who had the game-winning goals in ECAC Hockey wins over Quinnipiac and Union, also had 16 penalty minutes.

The Engineers' Most Improved Player was freshman Kendra Dunlop, who led all first-year scorers with a team-high 10 goals and five assists for 15 points. The Granum, Alb., native notched 14 penalty minutes in 32 games and was among the top rookies in the conference, finishing 11th overall in points per game by a freshman (0.47 average).

Junior Ashley Mayr, a goalie from Burnaby, B.C., earned the Robert Conway Scholar-Athlete Award, which is presented to the player with the highest cumulative grade point average over a minimum of three semesters. On the ice, the management major appeared in 19 games and posted a record of 4-11-3. One of her top performances was a 1-1 draw at nationally-ranked Dartmouth.

The recipient of the Bill Cahill Memorial Award, presented annually to a player who displays high character, ability and dedication, was senior defenseman Ellen McNamara. A native of Macomb, Mich., she finished her career as the program's all-time leader in games played with 121. Playing in every game over her four years, she compiled 28 points on six goals and 22 assists.

Also recognized was Blake Huovie ‘08, a photographer for The Polytechnic, who was the recipient of the Willie Stanton Award, which is presented annually to someone who goes above and beyond in their commitment to the Rensselaer women's ice hockey program.

Rensselaer concluded the season with a 13-15-5 overall record and a 6-12-4 ECAC Hockey mark.