SCHAGTICOKE’ S MELISSA SHEERAN NAMED NEWHL PLAYER OF THE YEAR

SYRACUSE, N.Y. » Senior forward Melissa Sheeran (Schaghticoke, N.Y./

Millbrook School) of the Plattsburgh State women’s ice hockey team has been named the inaugural Northeast Women’s Hockey League (NEWHL) Player of the Year, as announced Tuesday by the conference office.

This marks Sheeran’s second conference Player of the Year honor in as many seasons, as she earned the distinction for the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) West last year. Sheeran, a two-time CCM/ American Hockey Coaches Association (AHCA) All- American, was named to the All-NEWHL First Team last week. A finalist for the Laura Hurd Memorial Award last season, which is given annually to the top player in NCAA Division III women’s ice hockey, she ranks among the Division III leaders this year in assists per game (third, 1.07), points per game (tied for fifth, 1.74) and goals per game (tied for 17th, 0.67). Overall this season, she has collected a team-leading 47points on 18goals and 29assists, and her scoring and assist totals lead the NEWHL. For her career, Sheeran ranks sixth in Division III history in points (184), doing so on 96 goals and 88assists. She also ranks second in Division III history in career gamewinning goals with 24, which stands as a Plattsburgh State record.

She also helped the Cardinals win the inaugural NEWHL title, posting an assist in a 6-0victory over Oswego State in the NEWHL Tournament championship game. Plattsburgh State (23-2-2) begins its quest for a fifth straight and seventh overall NCAA Division III national title on Saturday, March 10, when it hosts Middlebury College in the quarterfinal round of the NCAA Division III Tournament. The game time is set for 3p.m.