Moon Township, Pa. - Feb. 17, 2010 - Robert Morris University junior Sara O'Malley (Guelph, Ontario / Hamilton Hawks) and sophomore Brianna Delaney (Stittsville, Ontario / NCCP Raiders) have been nominated for the 2010 Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award, announced today by USA Hockey. This annual award recognizes the top Division I women's ice hockey player in the NCAA that exudes achievements in athletics, academics and community service.
O'Malley has been a primary playmaker for the Colonials this season and leads the team with 15 goals and is second on the squad with 12 assists and 27 points. She has recorded seven multi-point games, two multi-goal games and is the only Colonial to have recorded a hat trick this season. She ranks 10th in the CHA with 27 points, is tied for sixth in the CHA with 15 goals and is tied for fourth in the league with two short-handed goals. She was Named CHA Offensive Player of the Week on January 25, 2010. The junior forward scored two goals in RMU's 4-1 upset over No. 4 Minnesota Duluth earlier in the season and scored one goal in the Colonials' 3-1 victory over No. 6 Wisconsin.
Delaney leads the Colonials with 28 points and 15 assists and is second on the team with 13 goals. She has captured seven multi-point games and earned a goal in RMU's 4-1 upset over Minnesota Duluth. Delaney is tied for third in the CHA and 11th in the NCAA with six power play goals and was named CHA Offensive Player of the Week on November 16, 2009.
Both athletes are very active in the community and coach hockey to kids with special needs at the Pittsburgh Icebergs. They also both volunteer with the Boys and Girls Club of Pittsburgh, the Learn to Play Organization and the Team Pittsburgh Girls Hockey Organization.
The NCAA Division I women's ice hockey coaches will also select the top-10 finalists from among the group of 45, with the announcement taking place March 2. A 13-member selection committee will choose the three finalists (announced March 9), as well as the award recipient.
Held in conjunction with the NCAA Women's Frozen Four, the 2010 Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award will be presented at a brunch ceremony on March 20 at the University of Minnesota's McNamara Alumni Center at 10 a.m. CDT.
ABOUT THE PATTY KAZMAIER MEMORIAL AWARD
An award of The USA Hockey Foundation, the Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award recognizes the accomplishments of the most outstanding player in NCAA Division I women's ice hockey each season. Other selection criteria include outstanding individual and team skills, sportsmanship, performance in the clutch, personal character, competitiveness and a love of hockey. Consideration is also given to academic achievement and civic involvement.
ABOUT PATTY KAZMAIER
The Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award is named in honor of the late Patty Kazmaier, who was a four-year varsity letter-winner and All-Ivy League defenseman for Princeton University from 1981-86. An accomplished athlete who helped lead the Tigers to the Ivy League Championship in three consecutive seasons (1981-84), Patty Kazmaier-Sandt died on Feb. 15, 1990, at the age of 28 following a long struggle with a rare blood disease.
