UTICA, NY - Junior defensive end Nick Woodman (Utica, NY/Proctor) of the Utica College football team was named to the ECAC North All-Star First Team for the first time in his career on Monday.

The award marks the third post season honor for Woodman this off season after he made his second straight Empire 8 All-Conference appearance, and he was also a D3football.com All-East Region selection.

He truly had a breakout season, as he led the Empire 8 and set a new school-record for sacks in a single season with 12. He ranked 14th nationally in sacks per game (1.05) and fourth in the Empire 8 in tackles for a loss per game (1.2). He also led the Empire 8 and finished 10th nationally with three fumble recoveries. He finished the year ranked third on the team with 62 tackles (30 solo). He added three pass break ups and one forced fumble. He registered a career-high three sacks in the Pioneers 31-21 road win over Buffalo State this year. 

Woodman currently has 16.5 career sacks and needs just two more to break the school-record for career sacks which was originally set by Tracy Branch in 2010.  In 26 career games Woodman has 122 tackles, 19.0 tackles for a loss and four forced fumbles. 

Utica wrapped up its season with a school-record seven wins and earned a bid into an ECAC Postseason Bowl Game for the first time in program-history.  The Pioneers also finished the regular season in third place in the highly competitive Empire 8 Conference.