The MVP for Saint Joseph's University is Julie Stephano. Julie is a sophomore at Saint Joe’s and is a veteran to the sport. Julie was a huge help for our team this season because she selflessly gave up her position on defense to play goalie for the team! Not only has she been one of our best defensive players and skaters, but she has also provided the team with confidence on the ice. As a first time goalie, Julie improved more and more with each game. It was exciting to watch her skill develop in net. The bench would roar whenever "Julie the Cat" would come up with a big save for our team.

After watching Julie in net it was difficult to believe that she had never played the position before.  She was a natural. By stepping up as goalie, Julie gave the team the opportunity to be competitive in games because they knew that they had a reliable player supporting them. The team has been so thankful for Julie this season because she truly has been our Most Valuable Player.

There is without a doubt who the UPENN Women’s Ice Hockey teams Most Valuable Player is once the final buzzer ended our season in the championship game. Gross is a student first, with her love in the Veterinarian field; however, her second love is ice hockey and more importantly playing with her Quakers on the ice. Last season, Gross was our teams play-off MVP, and when the season began this season it looked as though she would be great asset to a very highly talented new crop of players coming in. Knowing that we recently added former Amherst College Captain to our team (Emily Vitale), a handful of strong defensewomen, and young edgy freshmen; Gross knew that she would be grouped around some highly skilled players. You may think Gross would hide in the shadows, but no she certainly did not. Gross led her line with young freshmen and eventually would be needed to carry the team. During the season, the Quakers had half a dozen of injuries and losses. Losing Vitale second semester, three top defenswomen, and most importantly losing our captain/president. Gross put the Quakers on her shoulders and led them to the championship game with a group of novice skaters. Besides the numbers that Gross would put up in the regular and post-season, her actions off the ice speak more of a talented MVP. Motivating and showing the young and older players on the team what it means to be a team itself. Gross is very deserving of the MVP award this season.

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IUP’s Nomination for the Most Valuable Player Award is our goalie Danielle Eppley. Danielle never played ice hockey before this season, but she was a field hockey goalie in high school.  Our team had no goalie at the beginning of the season, so our players convinced her to come out for the team.

She borrowed equipment from the local girl’s ice hockey team, learned how to skate, and worked tirelessly to improve her goaltending and skating skills.  In her first game, she stopped 35 shots.   Not bad for a beginner.  Danielle finished her first season of hockey with two shutouts and an SV% of .917 and lead IUP to its best season in its history. Her dedication to learning the game, stellar rookie performance, and awesome saves demonstrate she is deserving of the MVP Award.