University of Minnesota Athletics
Curtin and Halldorson Earn National Recognition
3/21/2002 12:00:00 AM | Athletics
Curtin leads the team and the WCHA in points (47), assists (34), defensive scoring and power-play points. She ranks sixth in national scoring statistics, and tied for first in assist scoring. Curtin, who switched to the blueline for the 2001-02 season, is also one of three finalists for the Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award. The award is given to the most outstanding Division I women's hockey student-athlete, which will be named March 23. Curtin was named the WCHA Player and Defensive Player of the Year. She also aided Minnesota to its' first WCHA tournament title, when the Golden Gophers defeated Wisconsin, 3-2. At the WCHA Final Five, Curtin was named the tournament's most valuable player, scoring two goals for Minnesota.
Halldorson was named the WCHA Coach of the Year two years in a row. The Gophers went on a 24-game unbeaten streak this year from Nov. 2 to Feb. 16. Under Halldorson, the Gophers has had 20 plus wins each season and has led the Gophers to four national championship berths. Minnesota won the AWCHA championships in 1999-2000, the first championship in Minnesota Women's Athletics. In the last two seasons, the Gophers have gained two WCHA regular season championships and one tournament championship. Halldorson was named the AHCA Coach of the Year in 1998 when the Gophers finished third in the nation.
Curtin and the Gophers will go for the NCAA Frozen Four national championship, starting tomorrow. The Gophers (28-3-5) face Brown University at 7:30 p.m. (CST). If the Gophers win, they play for the championship Sunday at 3 p.m. (CST). If the Gophers lose, then they will play for third place at 12:30, also on Sunday.
First Team School Pos. Tania Pinelli Niagara Goalie Ronda Curtin Minnesota Defender Kerry Weiland Wisconsin Defender Carly Haggard Dartmouth Forward Maria Rooth Minn.-Duluth Forward Brooke Whitney Northeastern Forward Second Team School Pos. Chanda Gunn Northeastern Goalie Kim Greene Northeastern Defender Emma Laaksonen Ohio State Defender Nicole Corriero Harvard Forward Meghan Hunter Wisconsin Forward Kristy Zamora Brown Forward
