SPORTSBRIEFS

Author: Zamir Ahmed, sports editor

Quizon '06 top player in D-III

In a fitting end to her collegiate hockey career, Middlebury's women's hockey team captain Emily Quizon '06 was named the American Hockey Coaches Association Women's College Player of the Year. She is the fourth Panther to win the award in the past seven years. Kate Kogut '06, Shannon Tarrant '07 and Annemarie Cellino '09 were also honored by the nation's coaches with spots on the All-American Team.

Quizon was named the top player in the nation after recording 21 goals and 19 assists during the season, which also earned her a spot on the All-American First Team. She was a guiding force for the Panthers in big games, scoring a goal in the semifinals and finals of both the NESCAC and NCAA tournaments. Quizon ends her career third on Middlebury's all-time list with 107 assists and fifth in school history with 169 points.

Kogut was named to the All-American Second Team after finishing the season with a .917 save percentage and a 1.68 goals against average, which ranked her seventh in the nation. She closes the books on her collegiate career first in school history with a .926 save percentage and fourth with a 1.39 GAA.

Tarrant earned her third All-American honor with her second consecutive Second Team honor. She was one of the leaders for Middlebury's stellar defense, which gave up a stingy 1.37 goals per game during the season, ranking it third in the nation. Tarrant also contributed on the offensive end with five goals and 18 assists.

Cellino earned Second Team All-American status with a team-leading 26 goals and 21 assists. The NESCAC Rookie of the Year was incredible on special teams, notching eight power-play goals and seven short-handed goals.

AHCA honors men's hockey

Middlebury College's Jeff Smith '05.5 and Mickey Gilchrist '08 were named to the All-American First Team by the American Hockey Coaches Association. The pair were instrumental parts of the men's hockey team, which won its third straight NCAA title and eighth in 12 years.

Smith tallied five goals and eight assists during the season for the Panthers. The captain's biggest contribution was to the Middlebury defense, which gave up a nation-low 1.54 goals per game. The defense held its opponent scoreless in the NCAA championship game for the fourth straight year and now has five shutouts in eight title games. The Panthers have not given up a goal in the finals of the NCAA tournament for 265:57.

Gilchrist had a team-leading 24 goals and 26 assists on the season to lead the nation with 50 points. He played his best hockey when it mattered most for the Panthers, as evidenced by his five game-winning goals - second in the nation - and the goal and two assists he notched in the semifinals and finals of the NCAA tournament.

As Smith leaves with three championship rings and All-America honors, Gilchrist will look to continue Middlebury's rich hockey tradition.