ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Eliza Beaudin ’22, a member of the Elmira College women’s hockey team was named the 2021-22 Empire 8 Conference Co-Woman of the Year. This award honors a senior female student-athlete who has distinguished herself throughout her collegiate career in the areas of academic achievement, athletics excellence, service and leadership.
Beaudin is the first student-athlete from Elmira chosen as the conference’s Woman of the Year.
A four-year forward on the nationally-ranked women’s ice hockey team, Beaudin recently graduated summa cum laude with a cumulative grade-point average of 3.94 as a psychology major. The Lewiston, Maine native and two-year captain was a part of three United Collegiate Hockey Conference (UCHC) Tournament Championships (2019, 2020, 2021), while also helping Elmira to New England Hockey Conference (NEHC) Regular Season and Tournament Championships in 2022. The Soaring Eagles finished 84-12-4 in Beaudin’s four seasons.
“I am extremely honored to accept this award and would like to say thank you to the Empire 8 for this incredible honor,” said Beaudin. “Wearing the Purple and Gold was humbling beyond words. I would like to extend my deepest appreciation to my teammates. My time as a Soaring Eagle was made perfect by the exceptional young women I shared the ice with, as they challenged me to be my very best. I would also like to thank Coach Crowley and Coach Mandy for their guidance over the course of my time at Elmira. Lastly, I especially want to thank my family, your support has driven me every day. To all who considered me, all my gratitude; this award means the world.”
Individually, Beaudin ranks seventh in program history in goals (58) and finished with 119 total points in just 90 games. Her four short-handed goals rank second in program history, while her 13 game-winning goals, 17 power-play goals, and five short-handed goals also rank in the top-10 all-time for Elmira in its storied history.
This season, Beaudin was named a finalist for the Laura Hurd Award, bestowed by the American Hockey Coaches Association (AHCA) Division III Women’s Hockey Player of the Year, while she earned CCM/AHCA First Team All-American accolades. Beaudin led the Soaring Eagles and was among the national leaders in scoring with 42 points on 18 goals and 24 assists in 30 games played. She tallied five power-play goals, five shorthanded tallies and was a plus-37 on the season. Beaudin, who served as Elmira’s captain in 2021-22, led the Soaring Eagles to a 25-4-1 record and a berth in the NCAA Division III Frozen Four.
“Eliza has been a key part of our program since she stepped onto campus,” said Elmira Women’s Hockey Head Coach Tim Crowley. “She’s been our captain the past two years and was crucial to our success in the rink and led the way in the classroom as well. She’s incredibly deserving of this award and our program was fortunate to have her for four years”
Academically, Beaudin earned Dean’s List honors in each of her semesters at Elmira, while earning numerous UCHC, Empire 8, ACHA, and NEHC academic honors. The New England Hockey Conference Player of the Year in 2022 also served as the Vice President of Omicron Delta Kappa (ODK) at Elmira College – the National Leadership Honor’s Society, the President of PSI CHI – Psi Chi, the International Honor Society in Psychology, as well as the Treasurer of the Active Minds Club along with Phi Eta Sigma. Most recently, Beaudin was named to the 2021-22 CoSIDA Academic All-America® Women’s At-Large Team for Division III.
Off the ice, Beaudin excelled as a member of the Elmira community. She served in the Chemung County Public Defenders Office, was part of the Elmira College Retention Team and Active Minds Club, while coaching Corning Girls Youth Ice Hockey during the 2021-22 season. In addition, Beaudin was a Corning Wineglass Marathon Volunteer, a volunteer for the Elmira Hibernians Club and Food Bank of the Southern Tier.
“What an amazing honor for Eliza as well as Elmira College,” said Elmira Director of Athletics Rhonda Faunce. “There is no more deserving woman than her. She is an excellent student, an outstanding hockey player and a great person. While at Elmira Eliza has set a remarkable standard for future athletes to follow. I want to thank her for her outstanding contribution to our athletic program and college.”
Beaudin began her collegiate career by enjoying an excellent freshman season in 2018-19, tallying 34 points on 17 goals and 17 assists in 28 games, while earning UCHC All-Rookie Team honors and helping lead the Soaring Eagles to the NCAA Quarterfinals. She garnered All-UCHC second team accolades and led Elmira to the 2019-20 UCHC Championship, despite missing several games due to injury. She finished the season with 14 goals and 23 points in 18 games, before the NCAA Tournament was wiped out due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Beaudin added 20 points in nine goals and 11 assists in 14 games during the shortened 2020-21 season, leading Elmira to its third straight UCHC crown and All-UCHC honorable mention plaudits.
“Eliza has distinguished herself as one of the most elite hockey players in Elmira College history, which is a significant statement considering the consistent national success the program has enjoyed,” said Empire 8 Commissioner Chuck Mitrano. “While her athletic and academic achievements are certainly impressive, what she has accomplished off the ice through her service to others is legendary.”
Beaudin joins an elite group of student-athletes from across NCAA Division I, II and III nominated for the award. Established in 1991, the award recognizes female student-athletes who have exhausted their eligibility and distinguished themselves in their community, in athletics and in academics throughout their college careers.
As 2022 marks the 50th anniversary of Title IX, the NCAA Woman of the Year program is an important opportunity to honor and reflect on the impact of women on intercollegiate sports.
The committee will choose the top ten nominees in each division (I, II and III). From among those 30 honorees, the selection committee will determine the top three in each division. From those nine, the 2022 NCAA Woman of the Year will be chosen.
For more information on the NCAA Woman of the Year, CLICK HERE.
Past E8 Woman of the Year
ABOUT THE EMPIRE 8 CONFERENCE
The members of the Empire 8 Conference are committed first and foremost to the pursuit of academic excellence and the league is regarded as an outstanding NCAA Division III conference. The membership has distinguished itself among its peer group for its quality institutions, spirited and sportsmanlike competition, outstanding services and highly ethical policies and practices. Its commitment to serve the educational needs of its student-athletes is the hallmark of the E8. For more on the Empire 8 visit www.empire8.com.
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