Orono, Maine - The University of Maine women's ice hockey team earned three-of-four Hockey East monthly awards for December by Ida Kuoppala, Elise Morhpy and Julia Bachetti. 

Fifth-year forward Ida Kuoppala was named Player of the Month after leading the league with game-winning goals in December. Kuoppala's scored two goals and six assists in five games and posted a pair of three-point nights. Kuoppala has yet to take a penalty this season and leads not only the Black Bears in points, but all of Hockey East. This accounts for Kuoppala's second Player of the Month award this season. 

Senior captain Elise Morphy was tabbed Hockey East's Defender of the Month as she was the top-scoring defender in Hockey East in December. Morphy tallied four assists in her final two outings and was named Army ROTC Defender of the Week on January 2. Morphy was plus-six in December, ranking her second among blueliners in Hockey East.

Freshman Julia Bachetti was second in the country with three wins in December, going 3-1-0 including a 29-save shutout on December 2 against Holy Cross. Bachetti also made a season-high of 37 saves against No. 4 Colgate last weekend. Making 119 saves throughout the month, Bachetti led Hockey East goaltenders in saves and was named Hockey East Pro Ambitions Rookie of the Week on Dec. 4 following a two-win, 58 save weekend. 

-UMaine-