TROY, Mich. | ACHA - No.8 McKendreee University women's hockey (14-9-2, 4-7-2 WMCHL) added another set of postseason honors this past week with sophomore defender Aria Groot being named to the ACHA W1 All-Athletic First Team and freshman defender Brooke Lannon earning a spot on the ACHA W1 All-Rookie Second Team. Groot and Lannon were previously selected to the WMCHL's All-Conference First Team (Groot) and All-Rookie team (Lannon). McKendree is set to next compete at the ACHA National Tournament in Boston, Massechussets, on March 16-21 as the 8-seed. The Bearcats will face Indiana Tech in their first round game on Thursday, March 16 at 12PM. 

Groot added the All-Conference First Team honors from the WMCH after another outstanding season on the ice, stifling opposing attackes throughout. The defender also made her presence felt on the offensive end of the ice for the Bearcats as she tied for the team-lead in points with 26. She has totaled eight goals with three game-winners and 18 assists on the season so far with the national tournament up next. Groot ranked in both the league and the ACHA in points and points per game for defense. In the WMCH, she ranked first in points per game among defenders at 1.04 and second in the league for total points (26). In the ACHA overall, Groot sat second in points per game on defense and third in total points for defenders. She owns 38 points in 40 career games on defense for the Bearcats while earning McKendree's first all-conference honors since 2021. 

Head Coach Derek Pallardy on Groot's honor: 
"We're proud of Aria. There are so many great Defense players in our conference let alone the entire ACHA. She's obviously a big part of our team and is very deserving of this award."

Lannon, a freshman out of Placentia, Newfoundland, made her presence known throughout the season on the ice which earned her a spot on the All-Rookie Team for the WMCH. Lannon led all rookie defenders in the league with 12 points over 23 games, totaling 10 assists and two goals. She out-paced all other scorers in the category by double. Lannon ranked ninth on the Bearcats in points. 

Head Coach Derek Pallardy on Lannon's honor:
"Brooke has had a great rookie season in the ACHA after not playing at all last year. She came to McKendree because her passion for hockey persisted, and I think with her drive, we have only scratched the surface of her potential and success."

UP NEXT
McKendree women's hockey will be on the road to the ACHA National Tournament in Boston and Marlborough, Massachusets, from March 16-21. The first round will feature a matchup between the Bearcats and No.5-seed Indiana Tech at 12PM on Thursday, March 16. Live Stream / Tournament Schedule

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