Utica College freshman Deanna Wiegand (Utica, MI) was named ECAC West Women's Rookie of the Year and selected for the both the All-ECAC West First team and All-Rookie team after leading the Lady Pioneers to the Eastern College Athletic Conference West Women's Playoffs for the third time in the program's three-year history.

Wiegand, a 5-foot-3 forward, finished the season with 25 goals, 28 assists, and 53 total points, placing her in a tie for second in the nation at the Division III level for individual points on the year.

Joining Wiegand on the All-Rookie team was freshman Courtney Bank (Saginaw, MI), who earned the honor with her strong defensive play throughout the season.

Sophomore Ceci Stachurski (Brighton, MI) was named to the All-ECAC second team. Stachurski finished the season with 14 assists and is one of the most physically talented defenseman in DIII hockey.

Junior Melissa Lomanto (Whitesboro, NY) was an honorable mention. Lomanto finished the regular season with 23 points on 12 goals and 11 assists.

The Lady Pioneers, who finished with their best record ever at 14-10-1, will travel to host Plattsburgh State for a 12:30 pm semifinal match-up against defending national champ and No. 2 seed Elmira College (16-7-2) on Saturday, March 6. Utica enters the four-team field as the No. 3 seed.

The other semifinal contest will feature the top-seeded Cardinals of Plattsburgh State (19-4-2) vs. the fourth-seeded Knights of Neumann College (12-9-1) at 3:30 pm on Saturday, March 6. The championship contest is scheduled for 12:30 pm on Sunday, March 7.

Learn more about Utica College women's ice hockey at Women's Ice Hockey Home.