Junior forward Carly Haggard (Port Alberni, B.C.) has been named one of the 10 finalists for the 2002 Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award.
The award recognizes the accomplishments of the most outstanding player in women's intercollegiate varsity hockey each season.
"It's a great honor," Haggard said last night.
"The other nine nominees are great players," she added. "It's pretty special to be put in a category with those players."
Candidates for the award must compete for a women's intercollegiate varsity hockey team at an NCAA-member institution.
Other selection criteria include outstanding individual and team skills, sportsmanship, performance in the clutch, personal character, competitiveness and a love of hockey.
Consideration is also given to academic achievement and civic involvement.
The award is in its fifth year of existence. Dartmouth's Sarah Hood, Class of 1998, was one of three finalists in 1998.
Haggard currently leads the Big Green in scoring with 47 points on 21 goals and 26 assists. She's tops in the nation in points per game, averaging 2.35. Haggard is also the best in the country in assists per game and second in goals per game.
Her exploits have allowed the Big Green (15-3-2, 7-1-0 ECAC North) to garner a Top 5 ranking and remain a favorite to return to the Frozen Four.
"I think a lot of people have contributed to our team in a big way," said Haggard, who plays for the softball team in the spring. "I try to do my part, and scoring is one of the stronger areas of my game."
The other nine finalists for the prestigious award are Ohio State forward Jeni Creary, New Hampshire forward Kira Misikowetz, Niagara goaltender Tania Pinelli, Minnesota forward Ronda Curtin, Northeastern goaltender Chanda Gunn, Ohio State defenseman Emma Laaksonen, University of Minnesota-Duluth forward Maria Rooth, University of Minnesota forward Laura Slominski and Northeastern forward Brooke Whitney.
