It's so hard to believe that Regan first started hockey in college.  Her ability to slow or stop the best of attacks, her precise angling, speed & decision making -- it's all uncanny.  She's one of the best blueliners to ever wear our red, white and blue.  Add to that the fact that she was the only natural defensemen in a lot of our games this year & was asked to play 3-D nearly every game.  That takes a lot of stamina & heart.  Now this year she's added offense!  Her first 3 goals!  Off the ice Regan holds herself with the poise & direction of a positive & thoughful veteran.  Always encouraging, always saying the right thing to her teammates, always respecting her opponents (she hasn't recorded a penalty in the past two years). Regan is a trusted defensemen, friend & leader.  We haz a proud.

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It is fun being around Bridget. She is in person like she plays on ice, solid and quiet. However, when she does something, it is noticed. Bridget is all defense. Her one goal demonstrates that she is not an offensive defensewoman. In her case, it is the uderapperacted things that matter like inspiring teammates and being in the right place all the time. Mainly, she protected our rookie goalie and kept us in every game.
     On the team, we have 3 defenders that think (and can) play offensively. For this to happen, Bridget staked out a home in the defensive zone. Furthermore, she was the defense person we liked out there when our developmental forwards were playing. She was always in position and never turned over the puck. She had a +13 plus/minus. What is great, however, is her presence. She is so calm that everyone around calms down, which was critical for some of the deer­in­the­headlights effects of starting players. 
    She also anchored our penalty kill. She mentored on the ice. She never offered advice but always gave it when asked.   You can read in her narrative that dry humor disarms and calms down the reader. Without her, we would have lost many more games. 
Bridget writes: “Basically I started playing hockey when I was 14 years old. I used to always watch my brother playing and I was always so fascinated by it until one day I finally got the courage to put on skates and try it out. I always wanted to play but he was the first person to really push me to play and has been one of my biggest supporters. I played with my brother for our school team; the North Rockland Raiders in Rockland county New York. At that time, we played on the modified team. I then fell in love with the sport and started playing travel hockey for the New Jersey Selects until that team folded around 2009. I continued playing high school hockey until I graduated in 2012. I then spent the next year missing hockey and wondering if I'd ever get the chance to play again, when Lauren approached me about the Phoenix. I'm a Nursing Major at Rockland Community College. I come from a large family; I'm one of 6 children. I love rap music and I enjoy watching family guy. I particularly like sarcasm and dry humor. In my free time I actively try to acquire a tan which is near impossible due to my Irish heritage.”

There is no doubt that Meredith is the definition of a blueliner. Meredith knows how to lead a team, and certainly displays that when she hit’s the ice. Last season, Meredith was sidelined for the second half of the season due to an injury, but she was determined to play in every single game this season and finish healthy. She did that and more. As Co-Captain and Vice President of the club, Meredith was our force on the blue line and in front of the net. Meredith is similar to Fulton Reed (Mighty Ducks) along the blue line, with a shot that will shake anyone’s knees. While leading the team on and off the ice, Meredith had an outstanding plus/minus of plus 12. Meredith does not care for statistics; she is more about the enjoyment of the sport and making players around her better. There is no other defensewoman I would choose to have on my team. You find a better defensewoman in the league, and I’ll trade you; good luck with finding a better player and teammate then Meredith Dominguez.

As only a second year player for IUP Women’s Hockey, Megan Merchant brought her skills to the ice playing solid defense. Often time’s double or triple shifting Megan refused to give up and played physical and smart hockey protecting her goalie at all times. Megan not only excelled at defense, but also had a total of 3 goals this season and averaged 1.27 points per game, showing great offensive transitioning. Megan’s previous teams include Gardner High School, and will continue on in the Nuclear Medicine. 

Hailing from Hong Kong, Danielle Ng attended boarding school at Choate Rosemary Hall and just completed her first full season as a Columbia hockey phenom. Dani may look unintimidating due to her tiny stature, but don’t let appearances fool you—she is far and away the best defensewoman on our club. Dani’s hockey sense is first-rate, and our team is infinitely better when she is on the ice. She is poised on the ice and quick to snag every loose puck.

Despite her mad skillz, Dani is also unfailingly humble, and will probably be shocked to learn about this honor, because she is always asking about and looking for ways to improve. However, we’d be hard-pressed to find a player more deserving of this prestigious award.

“Defense wins Championships” is a phrase that can be looked at in many different ways.  Though we didn’t win the championship this year, I can say that our “Outstanding Defenseman” was a huge part of us having the best year we’ve had as a team.  Not only did she play extremely well, she was always on board to help out other players and always thinking of new drills for practices.  Her leadership in the locker room is something that you can’t teach.  Aneesa always has great input, and even us seasoned coaches could learn a few things from her.  Thank you for everything Aneesa, and we’re very excited to see what you have to bring to the table next year.