ERIE, Pa. – Seniors Brenna McGuire (McDonald, PA/South Fayette) and Ava Michael (State College, PA/State College) were named Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference (AMCC) Players of the Year, while Patrick O'Driscoll was voted Coach of the Year, announced on Tuesday.
McGuire was selected Offensive Player of the Year, while Michael garnered Defensive Player of the Year. Both joined six other teammates on the All-Conference Team. McGuire, Michael, Karla Ochoa (Pharr, TX/IDEA Toros College Preparatory), Angelina Hofrichter (Canonsburg, PA/Canon-McMillan) and Morgan Harding (Pittsburgh, PA/Carlynton) were chosen to the first team. O'Driscoll garnered his sixth overall Coach of the Year honors. He hit a coaching milestone with 200 wins earlier this season and mentored the Lions to a set a program record for most wins in a season at 19-1.
Trinity Prestash (Philipsburg, PA/West Branch) and Emily Clopp (Canonsburg, PA/Canon-McMillan) are second-team choices, while Payton Porter (State College, PA/State College) landed on the third team.
McGuire picked up where she left off in 2019, earning her third Offensive Player of the Year accolades. The senior forward led the AMCC with nine goals in eight contests. She also posted three assists to rank second in points with 21. The senior has four-game winning goals, including the lone goal against Pitt-Greensburg. Overall, McGuire ranks fourth with 13 goals and third in points (31). She has nine multiple-point games, recording a season-high four goals against Medaille.
Michael was the 2020 and 2021 Preseason Defender of the Year. She caps her career earning Player of the Year and her third All-AMCC honors. Michael had one goal and four assists for six points as a defender in conference play. She started every conference contest and helped the Lions to shut-out every AMCC opponent. Overall, Michael was instrumental in the 16 shutouts and .025 goals-against average, only allowing five in 20 games. She contributed to limiting opponents to just 38 shots on goal. She also leads the team with eight assists in 18 starts.
Ochoa was named to the first team for her first All-AMCC accolades. She was tied for sixth in the AMCC with five goals and four assists for 14 points. The junior captain was also ranked fifth with four assists in eight games. Overall, Ochoa has 10 goals and seven assists for 27 points. She has started every game and is tied for second on the team in points and is third in goals. This season, Ochoa had two five-point performances with two goals and one assist (at John Carroll, Penn State Altoona). She has one game-winning goal and converted her only penalty kick taken.
Hofrichter and Harding landed on the first team for the first time in their careers. Hofrichter and Harding helped Michael in solidifying the defense this season. Hofrichter has started every game this season and helped the Lions to shut out every AMCC opponent. Harding was instrumental in seven of the 16 shutouts for a 0.26 goals-against average (GAA), only allowing three goals in 12 games. She ranked second in the AMCC in GAA and third in save percentage (.842).
Prestash and Clopp were selected to the second team for the Lions. Prestash had five goals and one assist for 11 points in eight AMCC contests (10th). Overall, the freshman ranks fourth in the AMCC in goals with 13 and is fifth with 30 points. She has four game-winning goals, including one in conference. Prestash registered at least two points in 12 contests. Her best performance was two goals for four points in a 2-0 win at Elmira. Prestash and Clopp have started in every game this season.
Clopp, the junior captain, ranked third in the AMCC with five assists. She also added two goals, including one game winner, for nine points in eight conference games. Overall, Clopp is 15th in the AMCC with four goals and seven assists for 15 points. She registered two goals at John Carroll and handed out a pair of assists vs. Pitt-Bradford. Clopp tallied the game winner at Alfred State in the 13th minute.
Porter was named to the third team for her first All-Conference honors. Porter was tied for 10th in the AMCC in points with 11. She had four goals and three assists in eight conference games. Overall, the senior has six goals and four assists for 16 points (fifth on the team) with one game winner. Porter has a goal in five of the last seven contests, including a two goal, one assist performance against La Roche.
