Dutchwomen Announce Annual Awards

SCOTIA, NY -- Senior goaltender Lundy Day was named the Union College women’s ice hockey’s most valuable player for the second consecutive year, head coach Claudia Asano announced at the annual award banquet. Sophomore forward Marissa Gentile was given the Coaches’ Award, while freshman forward Emilie Arseneault garnered the Rookie of the Year title.

Day finished her collegiate hockey career as the Dutchwomen’s all-time saves leader. During her two seasons with the garnet and white, she denied 2,262 shots. This season she led the nation with 1,181 stops. She finishes her career with a .902 save percentage and a 4.07 goals-against average.

Gentile tied freshman forward Adelle Calahan for the team lead with 10 points. The senior posted two goals and eight assists in all 34 goals. She also potted two power-play goals. The Hana Yamashita Coaches Award is voted by the coaching staff and given to the player that shows a supreme competitiveness who on a consistent basis gives 100 percent effort in both practice and games and is extraordinarily conditioned with an unmatched work ethic. Hana Yamashita ’97 started the women's ice hockey club in 1994 and helped elevate it to varsity status.

Arenseault, who was named the team’s top rookie, played in 32 games, posting nine points and a team-high seven goals. She scored two power-play goals and unloaded a team-high 84 shots.

The Most Improved Player Award when to freshman defender Kayleigh Melia, who played in all 34 games. The award is given to the student-athlete who showed significant improvement over the course of the season.

Sophomore forward Callee Heywood was named the team’s Unsung Hero after playing 34 games, scoring one goal and posting one assist. The award recognizes the player, voted by the team, who always places her team first. This player displays exemplary sportsmanship and the contributions of this player cannot be measured by statistics alone.

Finally, the Ashley Kilstein Award, which is given to the student that throughout the season has given her time to volunteer in the community and help raise money for various charities and non-profit organizations, went to senior forward Stephanie Gilbert. On the ice, Gilbert played in 34 games and had an assist. Ashley Kilstein ’08, whom the award is named, headed the team’s community service projects during her career at Union.