Hockey Awards Amass in Panther Pockets

Author: David Lindholm

The New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) honored both the men's and women's hockey teams, as four players from each squad were included in the annual All-NESCAC schools.

For the men, goaltender Christian Carlsson '02, forward Kevin Cooper '04 and defenseman Matt Dunn '02 were all first-team selections, while defenseman Ryan Constantine '02 was named to the second-team.

Carlsson, the backbone of the team, is also a strong candidate for first team All-American. The netminder is enjoying his most successful season, earning all the team's decisions with a 22-1-1 record. He leads the NESCAC and the nation with a 1.30 goals against average. Carlsson is also sporting a stellar .929 save percentage. He has also set the school's modern day shutout record with 14 in his career.

Cooper has been spectacular all season long for Middlebury, leading one of the nation's top offenses. The sophomore leads the team with 22 goals, five power-play goals and 34 points on the season. He has at least one point in all but four games this season, including a dozen multiple-point games.

With nine points in the last six games, Dunn has come on strong and really proven his worth late in the season. He has been strong at both ends of the ice, and his 12 goals and 13 assists, for 25 points, ranks him third on the team. Dunn also leads the team with five game-winning goals.

Despite missing games due to injuries early in the season, Constantine has also come on strong of late. As captain of the team, he has contributed both on and off the ice,and has 11 assists for 17 points on the season.

On the women's side, Catherine Elkins '02 and Amber Neil '03 were named to the All-NESCAC first- team, and Erin Neil '03 and senior Megan Hutchinson were placed on the second-team.

Elkins' nomination comes as no surprise; her exceptionally strong play has earned her first-team all-conference honors for all four of her seasons with the Panthers. The three-time All-American is having another steady season at the blue line with five goals and 14 assists for a total of 19 points.

A. Neil, who was a first-team All-American and all-conference selection last season, is once again a first-team choice. She leads the team with 18 goals and 33 points along with six power play goals.

E. Neil is having another leading season for Middlebury, with 12 goals and 29 points with a team-leading 17 assists. She has been named the NESCAC Player of the Week this season and has scored two or more points in a game nine times this season.

Despite splitting time in net with Kati Madouros '04 this season, Hutchinson has enjoyed another great season. The assistant captain has an 11-1 record with a 1.03 goals against average and a .918 save percentage in addition to recording five shutouts in a dozen starts.