If you've played our team, you know Iris.  Our talened senior is everything you'd want in a D.  Cool headed and focused, her smart positioning blocks more shots than we can count and her powerful skating keeps attacks from starting. We had a first-time goalie in net and still won games / kept things close, thanks in large part to her ability.

Iris lead our team in points again this year, averaging 2.5 points a game -- as a D!  In the DVCHC that's 5th on the list that includes all forwards.  With very little offensive support, Iris scored 1 goal (often more), EVERY game vs. every goalie in the league.

Her stamina is unmatched.  Roster issues meant Iris was 1 of only 3 D each game (er...sometimes only 2).   We've seen Iris block a shot, go end-to-end through an entire team for a point blank chance, then be the 1st on the backcheck to stop the next rush.

Finally, Iris is a motivating leader, a fantastic example of sportsmanship and our captain.   She's an outstanding D who never ceases to amaze us, we're not sure what AU hockey will look like without her next year.

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As a senior, Mari O’Leary has provided our team with so many different aspects since she started as a freshman.  Not only is she a strong force on the ice, but she concluded her four years as an assistant captain and a vocal leader. 

Mari has an extensive knowledge of the game and knows how to successfully play her position under any conditions.  Not only has she helped stop many goals (literally – you should see her goalie skills), she also has helped put up many points for our team.  Mari is a great player to have on your team and she will be truly missed next season.

This season we brought on two new coaches, and when describing Katrina to them I compared her to Ray Bourque. She has the ability to be a shut down defenseman and be a spark in the offense with her skill and speed. I can use her in all situations on the ice during any point in the game and she never disappoints.

If their was one thing about Katrina that stands out the most its her ability to shut down players in a one on one situation, she either drives them wide so they cant get a good shot on net, or plays the body and doesn't allow any offensive chance for the opposition. She is the anchor on our defense and is a reliable asset to our team. She is our best defenseman.

Emily Summers should be the defense-woman of the year, she was a key component of the UMD team for the last four years. Emily was the leader of the team and was instrumental in the success of UMD Women’s Ice Hockey. She battled hard in the corners, in front of the net and could get the puck out when we needed it most. She was not only an anchor in the D zone but also as an offensive threat. She registered 23 points this year which was not only well above any other Terps defense, but also ranked second on the team.  Summers could be seen often times going coast to coast and taking it around the majority of the other team with her speed and nifty hands.  Many of her goals came on rushes and she even at times was the first one to her own rebound. Summers was also the leader of the power play unit which had more success this year than in recent memory. She would more often than not begin the break out to move the puck up ice and set up in one of the top spots helping control the entire play. She also continued to be an anchor in the penalty kill and could always be counted on to get a strong clear out of the zone. Emily was always willing to double shift when needed. She would come off the ice catch a quick breathe, give her teammates some advice, and be ready to go out and do it all again.  Summers always held herself to a high standard and knew when she wasn’t playing up to her full potential and would immediately try to remedy during her next shift. She did not get down on herself or her teammates but was a positive energy on the team. Overall she was always willing to sacrifice in order for the team to achieve the most. 

Rachel Knee suffered a debilitating concussion late last season.  After the injury, she discussed her options with her doctors and her family.  Over the summer, she came to the conclusion that she most likely would not play her senior year.  In the fall, the conversations continued with her doctor and she was cleared to play, but she was apprehensive about her return.  She didn’t want to be a possible liability to the team, to risk another injury, and to perhaps have to endure another lengthy rehab process.  Encouraged by her teammates, she returned to the lineup.  She served as alternate captain and averaged over 20 minutes of ice time per game.  2012-13 turned out to be her most productive season of her college career (3G, 12A).  Her solid positioning, adept stick-handling, fancy footwork, and fearless shot-blocking ability made her a stalwart blueliner, especially on special teams.  She balances her strong defensive play with great vision on the point in the OZ.  She knows when to shoot through traffic and when to deliberately miss the net to get a rebound off the back wall for the forwards to pounce on.  It is because of her courage, as well as her improvement and strength to battle through injury to support her team, I nominate Rachel Knee for 2013 Outstanding Defensewoman.