"As a coach, you're always excited to hear about that kind of thing," head coach Mark Hudak said. "Sometimes you feel a little bit like a parent because you are so proud. They are super people and have earned this. I couldn't think of two other people deserved it more."
This year, Parsons led the Ivy League and the ECAC in points and assists, scoring 40 points on career high 20 goals and snagging 20 assists. She also led the Big Green in multi-point games, with 13, including five in the last nine games of the season.
Parsons' outstanding play has been recognized nationally as well.
Earlier this year, she was named as a finalist for the Patty Kazmaier Award, which is given to the number one women's hockey player in the country. She also earned an invitation to compete at the 2010 NCAA Frozen Four Skills Challenge held next week in Detroit.
Over her career, Parsons worked her way into the Dartmouth record books. Her 156 total points while playing for the Big Green places her eighth all-time. She broke the top 10 with her 66 scored goals and is currently tied with Carly Haggard '03 for seventh all-time with her 90 career assists.
"Obviously Sarah is an incredibly skilled player and brought a lot to the team in that respect," Cunningham said. "She worked hard and her work ethic drove the team. She was probably one of the most talented hockey players that we have."
Like Parsons, Cunningham posted solid numbers for the Big Green during her four years on the team. She concluded her season with a career high 18 goals, as well as accumulating 13 assists. Cunningham also demonstrated her strength in clutch situations, scoring five game-winning goals this season alone.
Throughout her time on the ice for the Big Green, Cunningham posted an impressive 125 points, with 63 points and 62 assists. She is one of only 16 Dartmouth players to ever put up 60 goals and 60 assists over her career. Cunningham also sits at number 16 in overall points for a Dartmouth player.
Cunningham is no stranger to these types of accolades. She was named to the NEHW All-Star team for the past three years and has earned honors from the ECAC Hockey Second Team for three years in a row.
"Jenna was such an impact player," Parsons said. "She is a great person to play with and always puts the team first, so she is definitely someone who will be missed."
Despite the efforts of Parsons and Cunningham, the Big Green finished its season 12-14-2, which the team found to be a let down after winning the ECAC championship game and making it to the NCAA quarterfinals in previous seasons.
"I think that initially it was disappointing that we didn't make it as far as we had originally hoped," Cunningham said. "Looking back, however, I can tell that the team and the program grew. So I can really be happy about it, we worked hard and had a great time."
According to Hudak, the team progressed throughout the season in large part because of the two captains.
"Both Jenna and Sarah were great all year," Hudak said. "Certainly, after losing a big senior class form last year, they had to do a whole lot this year as far as leadership goes. Both of them did a great job on the ice leading us and we benefitted from it."
Neither Parsons nor Cunningham is planning on pursuing a further competitive hockey career after graduation, although it will always be something that they are involved in, both players said. After receiving their diplomas, the captains have other plans for the future.
Cunningham will be participating in the Dartmouth volunteer teaching program, where she will be teaching in the Marshall Islands for the nine months after graduation.
Parsons will be working at Morgan Stanley in New York City.
