By Tommy McGowan, UWEC Sports Information

EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (Blugolds.com)- The University of Wisconsin Eau Claire Women's Hockey team hosted their year-end banquet, remembering their successful 2018-19 season and handing out awards.

The awards handed out were the Blugold Award, Freshman of the Year, MVP and Unsung Hero. Captains for the 2019-20 season were also announced at the banquet.

The winner of the Blugold Award, awarded annually to the most studious Blugold, was Erin Goodell (Sr.-Maplewood, MN/Woodbury). Goodell was an impact player all season long for the Blugolds, while excelling off the ice, maintaining a 3.84 GPA.

Freshman of the Year was awarded to forward Ella Ierino (Fr.-Duluth, MN). Ierino was an important contributor in a Blugold offense that helped them win the WIAC Championship and advance to the quarterfinals of the DIII NCAA Tournament.

The MVP was awarded to Courtney Wittig (Sr.-Green Bay, WI/Bay Port). Wittig became the first player in program history to earn WIAC Player of the Year honors after scoring 24 goals on the season. Wittig was also named a CCM Hockey/American Coaches Association (AHCA) All-American for her performance on the season.

Unsung Hero was awarded to both Maggie Koethe (Sr.-Brooklyn Park, MN/Maranatha Christian Academy) and Monica Sjodin (Sr.-Anoka, MN). The Unsung Hero award celebrates Blugolds who go above and beyond, but may not receive the accolades that reflect their passion and dedication to the program.

The captains for the 2019-20 season will be Elizabeth Bauer (Jr.-Wausau, WI/Wausau East), Abby Roeser (Jr.-Cottage Grove, MN/East Ridge), Sami Meister (Jr.-Plymouth, MN/Wayzata) and Erin Connolly (Jr.-Mequon, WI/Homestead). They will hope to continue the momentum following a school-record 21 wins in 2018-19.

Follow the action all season long on Blugold Game Day or on the free 'UWEC Blugold' app on your mobile device.