SCHENECTADY, N.Y. – The Union Women’s Hockey team celebrated their historic season and announced their 2024-25 season award winners at the end of year banquet Tuesday evening.
George Morrison MVP Award – Sophie Matsoukas
Senior goaltender Sophie Matsoukas was awarded the George Morrison MVP Award for the third consecutive year – an honor named in memory of a former Volunteer Assistant Coach who tragically passed away. Chosen by her teammates, the award recognizes the most valuable player, someone who plays a key role in the team’s success and consistently brings something extra to the game while inspiring and leading both on and off the ice.
Matsoukas posted a season and career best save percentage of .924% while beating her personal best win record (11 wins) recording her 12th win in the first ever playoff win in program history in the ECAC Opening Round at Brown University on February 22.
Matsoukas broke the all-time career saves record in the first playoff game in the best of three series against Cornell University on February 28, a record that had been held for a decade by Shenae Lundberg ’15. In the game, Matsoukas recorded 39 saves to bring her total to 3,030 career saves. Matsoukas ended her career with 3,066 career saves.
Matsoukas also tied both the single-season and career shutout records, recording three shutouts this season against RIT (10/4), Harvard (10/26), and Brown (2/28) to bring her career total to six and match both program records.
Ashley Kilstein ’08 Award – Sophie Matsoukas
Matsoukas was also honored with the Ashley Kilstein ’08 Award, which recognizes a player who has demonstrated an exceptional commitment to community service. Named in honor of Ashley Kilstein ’08 who led the team’s volunteer efforts during her time at Union, the award is given to a player who has devoted significant time to volunteering and has helped raise funds for various charities and non-profit organizations throughout the season.
Since her sophomore year, Matsoukas has volunteered with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s Northeast New York Chapter. She played a key role in coordinating with the chapter and the athletics department to organize the annual Women’s Hockey Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Game, helping to set up donation channels and promote the event.
Matsoukas was twice invited to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s annual recognition event honoring outstanding community members, and during her junior year, she received the Foundation’s Community Partner Award for the NY-Northeastern region.
In addition to her work with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Matsoukas has also helped organize the team’s annual Breast Cancer Awareness games for the past three seasons. In her senior year, Matsoukas took full responsibility for coordinating with the American Cancer Society, setting up a dedicated donation link, and leading promotional efforts.
Student-Athlete Achievement Award – Maren Friday
Senior blueliner Maren Friday was the recipient of the Student-Athlete Achievement Award, an award given to the student-athlete who achieves the highest GPA in the classroom during the current academic year.
Friday has maintained a perfect 4.0 GPA throughout her four years and is on track to become one the few Mechanical engineering students at Union to graduate with a 4.0, along with full resume of academic accomplishments.
This season, Friday was honored with the prestigious ECAC Mandi Schwartz Scholar-Athlete of the Year Award. The award is presented annually in memory of Mandi Schwartz, a Yale women’s hockey player who passed away in 2011 after a courageous two-year battle with Acute Myeloid Leukemia. The award recognizes a student-athlete who exemplifies Schwartz’s excellence and leadership on the ice, in the classroom, and in the community. Nominees are selected by their school’s administration and coaching staff and must maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.5 through the fall semester while participating in a minimum of 50 percent of their team’s games.
In addition to her ECAC recognition, Friday received two academic honors at Union’s Annual Prize Day: the General Electric Energy Steinmetz Award, presented to a senior in mechanical engineering for the best senior project, and the Warner King (1906) Prize, awarded to a engineering senior who has most contributed to the traditions and ideals of the College.
Friday serves as vice president of Pi Tau Sigma, the international mechanical engineering honor society, and tutors fellow engineering students.
On the ice, Friday is a vital part of the team and served as captain for the 2024–25 season. She became Union’s all-time leading goal scorer among defensemen, scoring her 13th career goal on September 27 against Robert Morris. Friday became the program’s all-time points leader among blueliners, tallying two assists in Union’s first-ever playoff win on February 22 at Brown University. Friday concluded her career with 18 goals and 51 points.
Most Improved Player Award – Brigitte McGuire
First-year Brigitte McGuire was awarded the Most Improved Player Award, an award given to the player who has shown the most improvement over the course of the season. It reflects their dedication and effort to develop their skills and make meaningful contributions to the team’s success.
The University of Connecticut transfer made her season and collegiate debut on January 18 against Harvard – the same game in which the team broke their single season conference win record. McGuire went on to appear in 13 consecutive games to close out the season. She recorded her first collegiate point with an assist in the second game of the best-of-three playoff series against Cornell on March 1.
McGuire entered the season recovering from injury and steadily worked her way into a consistent and impactful role in the lineup. McGuire made the most of every opportunity, building on fundamentals and confidence through consistent effort. She was unanimously voted Most Improved player by her teammates which is a testament to her resilience and work ethic. McGuire’s story is one of determination, earning meaningful minutes in the latter half of the season by gaining the trust of her coaches and teammates through perseverance and belief in herself.
Garnet Award – Megan Ognibene
Sophomore Megan Ognibene was named the recipient of the Garnet Award, an award given to the student-athlete who fosters transformation and brings out the best in those around her. The player goes above and beyond to validate and empower her teammates, always putting the team’s success above personal achievement. “We” > “Me.”
Ognibene was named an assistant captain this season as a sophomore and has skated in 44 games in her career. Ognibene recorded her first collegiate point with an assist at St. Michael’s College on January 1, 2024.
Ognibene is described as bringing an infectious energy every day, lifting those around her and bringing her teammates closer together. Despite being an underclassman, she has the respect of the entire team through her leadership, positivity, and vocal presence. Ognibene embraced her role as an assistant captain with grace and commitment, always supporting her teammates and maintaining a team-first attitude. Her thoughtful approach, drive to improve, and genuine care for her teammates and the program do not go unnoticed.
Hana Yamashita ’97 Award – Stephanie Bourque
Junior Stephanie Bourque was honored with the Hana Yamashita ’97 award. The award is named in honor of Hana Yamashita ’97 who started the women’s ice hockey club in 1994 and helped elevate it to varsity status in 1999. The award is given to the player who demonstrates supreme competitiveness, consistently gives 100% effort in both practices and games, and brings the highest level of work ethic every day.
Bourque skated in all 37 games in her junior campaign as an assistant captain, breaking the single season goal record among blueliners recording her eighth goal of the season. Bourque also broke the single season points record tallying an assist in the first-ever playoff victory in history February 22, at Brown University. Bourque, currently with 14 career goals and 47 career points, is on track to set both the all-time goals and points record next season, records fellow blueliner Maren Friday broke this season.
Bourque also received back-to-back ECAC Defensive Player of the Week honors for netting the game winning goal in the overtime victory against Harvard on January 18 to break the single season conference win record, and for scoring a goal and recording an assist in the second-ever Mayor’s Cup win on January 25.
Bourque is described as exemplifying the qualities of a dedicated and driven student-athlete. She consistently goes above and beyond, taking the initiative with extra skates and lifts. Despite her high level of performance, Bourque carries herself with grace and humility, never placing herself above her teammates. She actively brings others with her to skill sessions, demonstrating a genuine commitment not only to her own development but also to elevating those around her.
Rookie of the Year – Karianne Engelbert
First-year Karianne Engelbert was awarded the Rookie of the Year Award, an honor recognizing the first-year player who made the most impactful contribution on and off the ice.
Engelbert made an immediate impression, earning two ECAC Hockey Rookie of the Week honors after becoming just the fifth rookie in program history to record a hat trick, doing so on October 25 against Harvard. She also scored both goals in Union’s historic first-ever playoff win over Brown University on February 22 to earn her second Rookie of the Week honor.
At the national level, Engelbert led all first years in goal scoring at the end of the first half of the season with 10 goals, and finished the year ranked third among all NCAA rookies with 15 goals.
At Union, Engelbert’s 15 goals tied for the most by a rookie in the Division I era. Her two-goal performance in the playoff win at Brown also broke the program’s rookie points record, as she finished the season with 24 points.
Capping off her year, Engelbert became just the second player in program history to be named to an ECAC team, earning a spot on the ECAC All-Rookie Team on February 24.
Beyond “U” Award – Brian Cohen – Professor of Biology at Union College
This year, the women’s hockey team introduced a new team honor, the Beyond “U” Award, presented to an individual who has made a meaningful impact on the program through selfless dedication.
This year, the award was given to Professor Brian Cohen, who has taught biology at Union College for over 20 years and is an avid Union women’s hockey fan.
Brian plays a pivotal role in supporting the Union Women’s Hockey team and their commitment to academic success. He consistently offers guidance on course selection and advocates on behalf of the team in academic discussions with professors. Additionally, Brian meets with prospective student-athletes to highlight the academic strengths and opportunities here at Union College.
2025-26 Women’s Hockey Season Tickets
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