ORONO, Maine – University of Maine senior goaltender Kira Kutzinski has been named the America East Goaltender of the Year while Halle Rogers has earned the league's Defensive Player of the Year honors, as announced by the America East Conference on Tuesday, November 1.
 
Kutzinski became the first goalkeeper from the University of Maine to be named Goaltender of the Year since Claudia Dube-Trempe won the award in 2014. Rogers is the first Black Bear to win Defensive Player of the Year since Noelle Leon-Palmer was named the league's best defender in 2015.
 
"We are extremely proud of Kira and Halle for being distinguished as the most outstanding players for their respective positions", head coach Scott Atherley said. "They have both had exceptional seasons and have played an integral role in our team success this fall. Aside from being great players, they are remarkable people. I can't think of two better people who embody our team values more than Halle and Kira."
 
Kutzinski, after grabbing first team honors last week, was named the America East Goalkeeper of the Year after posting a 0.75 goals against average and 0.833 save percentage over her 15 regular season appearances. The senior goalkeeper posted seven shut-outs and allowed only 12 total goals over her eight wins and five ties. For the week of October 17, Kutzinski was named defensive player of the week.
 
Rogers, also named to the league's first team, earned the league's Defensive Player of the Year honors after anchoring a defense that allowed only 12 goals over 15 total games. The senior defender recorded two goals and one assist over her 1,307 minutes of game play. For the week of October 3, Rogers was named defensive player of the week.
 
The defensive duo led a defense that ranked first in the America East in opponent scoring average (0.81), save percentage (.829), goals against (12), and margin of victory (+1.13).
 
The Black Bears are back on the pitch Thursday, November 3rd at #2 New Hampshire. Kick-off for the America East Semi-Final round is scheduled for 6:00 pm.
 
-UMaine-