Senior goalie Maggie Salmon and senior forward Catherine Linehan were presented with the William Smith College ice hockey awards at the annual William Smith Athletics Awards Banquet on April 24. Salmon received the Ice Hockey Award as the team’s most valuable player while Linehan took home the Ice Hockey Coach’s Award.
An All-United Collegiate Hockey Conference second team selection, Salmon started a career-high 23 games in goal for the Herons this season, posting a 13-5-4 overall record with a 1.56 goals against average and a .950 save percentage. Salmon finished the season second in the UCHC and sixth in the nation in save percentage and second in the conference and 17th in the nation in goals against average. She was also second in the conference in winning percentage (.682). Salmon stopped 649 shots this year, including a season-high 50 in William Smith’s 2-2 tie with then No. 3 Elmira. She also registered an assist on a game-winning goal against Manhattanville this season.
The 2017 ECAC West Defensive Player of the Year, Salmon, played in 70 career games. She posted a career record of 25-32-10, with a program record seven shutouts. Salmon developed into one of the best goalie’s in the nation, finishing in the top 10 in Division III in save percentage in each of her final two seasons. She finished her career with a 2.49 goals against average and a .934 save percentage. Salmon stopped a program record 2,336 shots in four seasons. Salmon also won the Ice Hockey Award as a first-year
A three-year captain, Linehan played in 25 games this season, compiling seven points on four goals and three assists. She recorded a career-high three points in a victory at King’s. She also scored goals in 2-1 wins over Utica and Manhattanville. A solid two-way player, Linehan contributed on the power play and penalty kill this season. The Herons’ power play was second in the UCHC and 13th in the nation (20.5%) while the penalty kill was third in the conference and 12th in the nation (89.1%).
A two-time ECAC West All-Academic selection, Linehan played in 95 career games. She recorded 14 goals and 13 assists for 27 points. She is tied for fifth on the all-time list in goals and sixth in power-play goals (4). Linehan also won the Ice Hockey Coaches Award as a first-year.
At this year’s banquet, Linehan was also presented the Madeline Buckley ’15 Award for character, teamwork and citizenship, while Linehan and Salmon shared the Heron Award with their classmates and coaches.
The Herons finished the 2017-18 season with a 16-6-4 overall record and an 11-2-3 record in the UCHC. William Smith finished second in the conference, earning a bye to the UCHC semifinals where they were edged by Stevenson 3-2 in overtime.
