SCHENECTADY, NY -- The Union College women's ice hockey team presented its team awards and honored its three graduating seniors during its annual banquet on Friday night at the Mohawk Golf Club.

In addition to the end of the year awards presentation, President Stephen C. Ainlay and Judith Gardner Ainlay were thanked for all of their service that they have provided Union College and the hockey program over the past 12 years. Head Coach Josh Sciba and the team presented the Ainlay's with two tickets to the Dutchwomen's Dec. 1, 2018 game at Harvard University next season.

Sophomore Katelynn Russ was awarded the George Morrison MVP award, presented to the player, selected by the team, who consistently shows up for games and proves to be the most important to the team in order to reach successful outcomes. Russ had a record-shattering year for the Dutchwomen, leading in points, assists, shots on goal and power play goals. She tallied 24 points off 16 goals and eight assists. She broke program records for most goals and points scored, during ECAC play, in a single season. Her 24 points is also the most points scored during a single season. 

First year Megan Ryan was named the team's Rookie of the Year. Ryan's award was selected by the team, for being the most proficient first year player in her collegiate hockey debut season. The Minnesota native scored her first career point in her first game for Union on Sept. 29 against Providence College. She ended her rookie year with 10 points off three goals and seven assists, leading all first years on Union in points and seventh most on the team. In the team's Jan. 20, 2018 draw with Cornell, Ryan had one goal and one assist to bring her to nine career points. With those points she broke the program's record for the most points scored by a first year defender. 

Alli First was named the team's Most Improved Player, showing steady and significant improvement over the course of the season. Seeing limited action during the first half of the season, First began to cumulate more minutes and became an integral part of Union's lineup and success.

The team's Unsung Hero Award was given to senior Katie Laughlin. This award recognizes the player, voted by the team, who always places the team before herself. Laughlin was recognized for her exemplary sportsmanship and contributions that cannot be measured by statistics alone. The Massachusetts native had a career year, becoming a staple on Union's special teams and dishing five goals and three assists for eight points, all of which were career-highs for the senior forward.

Arianna Kosakowski was the recipient of the Hana Yamashita Coaches' Award. Yamashita, Class of '97, started the women's ice hockey club in 1994 and helped elevate it to varsity status. This award is voted by the coaching staff and given to the player that shows a supreme competitiveness, who on a consistent basis gives 100 percent effort in both practice and games and is extraordinarily conditioned with an unmatched work ethic. Kosakowski more than doubled her career point totals this season, going from two goals and four assists total during her first two seasons to having five goals and 11 assists during her junior year alone. She is tied for first place, with the most goals by a defender in a single season and also led the team with 57 blocked shots. With 16 points, she is also tied for 4th in program history for the most points by a defender in a single season. 

Sophomore goaltender Amelia Murray was recognized as the Ashley Kilstein Award winner. Kilstein, Class of '08, headed the team's community service projects during her career at Union.  This award is given to the player that throughout the season has given her time to volunteer in the community and help raise money for various charities and non-profit organizations. Murray has taken the lead and founded Shutouts for Seizures, a non-profit organization to help raise funds for the Citizens United for Research in Epilepsy (CURE). She has also contributed to Union's Do It For Daron efforts and helped organize and promote a "Skate for Alex" fundraiser earlier this year. Murray has officially been named the Dutchwomen point person for all future fundraising/volunteer efforts for next season. 

At the end of the banquet, the team also honored its three graduating seniors Laughlin, Caitlyn McLaren and Brandy Streeter for their dedication, loyalty and investment into the Union women's hockey program over the last four years.