WINTROP, Mass. – The Assumption University women's ice hockey team had five players recognized on the New England Women's Hockey Alliance all-conference lists, headlined by Justina Valentini as the Defensive Player of the Year, as announced Thursday morning.
 
Justina Valentini was named as the All-NEWHA First Team with Kayla McGaffigan, while Ava McGaffigan picked up Second Team honors, Natalie Joiner found her way on the All-Rookie Team, and Annabel Ziskin was named to the All-Sportswomanship Team.  
 
Valentini was named the league's Defensive Player of the Year and to the All-NEWHA First Team after recording a conference-best 28 points (4g, 24a) among defenders. Her 24 assists ranked second overall in the conference, and she finished with a +13 rating while putting 119 shots on goal, the most of any defender in the NEWHA. A staple on both special teams units, Valentini skated on the league's top-rated power play and penalty kill and earned NEWHA Defender of the Week honors three times during the season.
 
Kayla McGaffigan joined Valentini on the All-NEWHA First Team, as she led the Greyhounds with 17 goals and 34 points. She had seven multi-point games, including the program's first hat trick against Saint Michael's College on Feb. 7^th. Her nine power play goals ranked second in the nation, only behind Carina DiAntonio of Yale. 
 
Ava McGaffigan had a career year, leading the conference with 27 assists and adding six goals for 33 points. She had ten games with multiple points, including a stretch of three-straight games (Feb. 6 through Feb. 13) with three points. 
 
Natalie Joiner had a stellar freshman campaign, which ended with an All-Rookie Team selection. She tallied 12 goals and 10 assists for 22 points, including four points (two goals and two assists) in a 9-0 win over Saint Michael's College. At the faceoff dot, she won 342 faceoffs and .561 percent, which ranked third among centers with over 100 draws.  Player of the Year: Brooklyn Schneiderhan, Saint Anselm
Defensive Player of the Year: Justina Valentini, Assumption
Goaltender of the Year: Jill Hertl, Franklin Pierce
Rookie of the Year: Addison Andre, Franklin Pierce
Coach of the Year: David Stockdale, Franklin Pierce

FIRST TEAM
Brooklyn Schneiderhan, Saint Anselm 
Kayla McGaffigan, Assumption
Grace Babington, Long Island  
Justina Valentini, Assumption
Maggie Korneta, Franklin Pierce 
Jill Hertl, Franklin Pierce 

SECOND TEAM
Caleigh Murphy, Franklin Pierce
Ava McGaffigan, Assumption
Maddi Achtyl, Stonehill
Reagan Whynot, Stonehill
Addison Robillard, LIU
Hannah Saunders, Post
 
ALL-ROOKIE TEAM
Addison Andre, Franklin Pierce
Natalie Joiner, Assumption
Summer Combe, Stonehill
Melanie Targosz, Franklin Pierce
Addison Robillard, LIU
Kayla Czukoski, Saint Anselm
 
ALL-SPORTSWOMANSHIP TEAM
Annabel Ziskin, Assumption
Ashley Wright, Franklin Pierce
Ryane Kearns, LIU
Maddy Noonan, Post
Ella Dahl, Sacred Heart
Sydney Merritt, Saint Anselm
Elisabeth Gerebi, Saint Michael's
Makenna Slocum, Stonehill
 
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