MADISON, Wis. (www.blugolds.com) - Six Blugolds have been named to the 2024 All-Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Women's Ice Hockey Team by the league coaches. Along with the All-WIAC Honors,
Alexa Backmann (Fr. - Saint MIchael, Minn./Rogers) received Kwik Trip Newcomer of the Year honors.
Headlining the season awards for the Blugolds was
Alexa Backmann who was named Newcomer of the Year. In her first collegiate season, Backmann held a 12-4-0 overall record, collected 282 saves, recorded a .916 save percentage, and held a 1.62 goals against average. Backmann also earned four shutouts during her first year in a Blugold sweater.
The All-WIAC first team featured UW-Eau Claire student athletes Sohpie Rausch (Sr. - Fergus Falls, Minn.),
Sydney Johnson (Sr. - Apple Valley, Minn.), and
Hattie Verstegen (Sr. - Oshkosh, Wis./Oshkosh North). This is Rausch's second time being named to the All-WIAC first team after collecting co-Player of the year honors in 2023. Rausch finished the year ranking 2nd in the WIAC in goals, points, shots, and power play goals. Johnson and Verstegen earn their first All-WIAC honors of their careers as they duo ranked in the top-15 in points and top-10 in assists in the WIAC.
Three Blugolds were named to the All-WIAC Honorable Mention team as
Alexa Backmann,
Eden Gruber (Sr. - Wausau, Wis./Wausau West), and
Sadie Long (Jr. - Farmington, Minn.) received their honors.
Eden Gruber was also selected to the WIAC All-Sportsmanship team.