PLYMOUTH, N.H. – The Plymouth State University Department of Athletics has announced the winners of its major awards for the 2023-24 academic year, honoring ten students for their accomplishments on the field, in the classroom and within the greater Plymouth community.
 
The awards, presented annually, honor former coaches and educators who were pioneers in the development of physical education and athletics at Plymouth State. The ten winners represent the best of more than 700 students who were involved with Panthers' athletics as student-athletes or support staff members during the 2023-24 school year. The award winners, selected following a vote by head coaches and department administrators, will be honored on campus in the fall.
 
"I couldn't be prouder of this year's major department award winners," said Director of Athletics Kim Bownes. "There are always so many student-athletes who do an amazing job representing Plymouth State, but these students are especially deserving of praise. We are all grateful for their contributions to the department, University and overall community."
 
  After leading the nation in goal scoring and helping the men's ice hockey team to its first NCAA Tournament victory, sophomore Will Redick (Collingwood, Ontario) was voted the Paul E. Arold Male Athlete of the Year. The 5-9 forward got out to a hot start with a hat trick in a season-opening win over #5 University of New England and he never looked back, finishing the year atop all of NCAA Division III with 27 goals and 58 points and ranking second with 31 assists. His 11 power play goals were tied for the most in the country. Postseason awards came in droves as Redick was named a First Team All-American by the American Hockey Coaches Association (AHCA), Second Team All-US College Hockey Online (USCHO), New England Hockey Writers Association (NEHWA) New England Division II-III All-Star, Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) Player of the Year and First Team All-MASCAC. His play helped the Panthers post a school record for wins (24-3-2), while claiming a fifth-straight MASCAC Tournament Title and seventh-straight MASCAC regular season crown. PSU climbed as high as #6 in the nation, earning a home NCAA Tournament game for the third time in program history. Redick notched a goal and two assists against #13 Cortland in the contest as the Panthers advanced to the national quarterfinals.
 
From Head Men's Ice Hockey Coach Craig Russell: "Will had a tremendous season and one an individual hasn't had for our program in nearly 40 years. He led the nation in total scoring from wire to wire and did so with a level of consistency we haven't seen before. He was a constant presence in every game throughout the season and showed up in big moments throughout his 27 games. Performing with this level of consistency when constantly being shadowed by your opposition makes it that much more impressive, and to do it all as a sophomore makes us excited to continue to watch his growth as a player and person."
 
 
  Junior Julia Donovan (Antrim, N.H.) was voted the Janet Nell Female Athlete of the Year after leading the women's lacrosse program to a second straight Little East Conference title and trip to the NCAA Tournament. Donovan also got out to a quick start with a five-goal effort in the season opener at Saint Joseph's (Maine) and poured in a season-best six goals on two separate occasions. Her season ranked as one of the best in program history as she finished the year with 62 goals and 86 points – marks that both rank within PSU's top six all time. Donovan took home major conference honors as the LEC Offensive Player of the Year and an All-LEC First Team selection after finishing among the league leaders in points per game (4.47, 3rd in the LEC), goals per game (3.21, 6th in the LEC) and assists per game (1.26, 8th in the LEC), and she also earned regional recognition with Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) All-Pilgrim Region Second Team honors. She became just the eighth player in PSU women's lacrosse history to surpass the 200-career point threshold with her third quarter goal in the LEC Tournament finals, helping secure the program's tenth LEC title. She finished the year with goals in 18 of the team's 20 games.
 
From Head Women's Lacrosse Coach Becky Dale: "Julia excelled on the field this past season. She led our offense to a conference championship win by helping the team outscore our opponents by five-plus goals throughout the LEC Tournament. She climbed the ranks of the program record books for goals in a season, sitting at the top of our team's leaderboard with 62 goals, and with her 24 assists she became the eighth player in school history to break the 200-career point threshold."
 
 
  Junior Lilli Stogner (Weare, N.H.) claimed All-LEC First Team honors and was named College Sports Communicators Academic All-District after another stellar season on the court and in the classroom for the women's volleyball program. Stogner has garnered LEC postseason recognition all three years and ranked among the LEC leaders in points per set, kills per set and aces per set last fall, though her contributions to the community extend well beyond the court. Stogner is involved with numerous charity events while maintaining an exceptional GPA.
 
From Head Women's Volleyball Coach Joan Forge: "Lilli understands the significance of giving back and making a positive impact on the lives of others. She actively contributes to society and demonstrates her compassionate nature with her commitment to numerous charities. She has been a dedicated volunteer for Lace Up for Pediatric Cancer, supporting children with cancer, as well as Dig Pink, a fundraiser for breast cancer research. She has participated in the Angel Tree Project, ensuring children from low-income families receive holiday gifts, and she helps disadvantaged young girls through the Circle Program while promoting literacy through the Journey to the North Pole in support of the Pemi-Baker Literacy Program. Furthermore, she actively engages in the spring cleanup efforts on the PSU campus and volunteers to help recruit future volleyball players. There is no doubt that Lilli is committed to leaving a positive impact on society."
 
 
   
   
  Graduate student Alessia Salzillo (Saugus, Mass.) was a key contributor as a midfielder on the field hockey team, helping lead the Panthers to the most wins in nearly a decade and a trip to the LEC Tournament semifinals for the first time since 2017. Salzillo, an All-LEC First Team selection, finished the year with career-highs of five goals and 14 points and notched the team's first goal in a 3-2 setback in the semifinals.
 
From Head Field Hockey Coach Molly Saunders: "Alessia is not only a natural athlete, but a leader in all senses. When she chose to return for grad school and play field hockey in mid-July, she said she did not need to be a captain again. She doesn't need the title to know what it means to be a true leader. She understands when to encourage and when to set expectations for the team. She is also one of the hardest working players on the team. Off the field she works as a graduate assistant in the Morgridge Strength & Conditioning Lab, creating workout plans for all other sports teams. She is someone you want in your corner in any situation."
 
 
  Freshman Rose Karow (South Yarmouth, Mass.) had as dominant a rookie season as any athlete in recent memory for the women's cross country and track & field teams. Karow was third at the LEC Cross Country Championships, finishing as the top first-year runner by more than 1:15 to claim Rookie Runner of the Year honors. She carried the momentum into indoor season where she was part of the winning 4x800-meter relay team while finishing second in the 800-meters at the LEC Championships. At the LEC Outdoor Championships, she captured the 800-meter title and earned a silver medal with the 4x400-meter relay squad. She set school records in the 5k and 6k during cross country season, the 600-meters, 800-meters, mile run and 4x800-meter relay during indoor season and set and reset the 800-meters record over four consecutive weeks with the outdoor team this spring.
 
From Head Cross Country and Track & Field Coach Alice Field: "Rose came into this year ready to make her mark on our program and she delivered in a big way, rewriting the record books. She comes to practice with a smile on her face and the positivity and a laugh that is infectious. Most importantly, she excelled in the classroom while balancing the rigors of a three-season athlete."
 
 
  Senior Ryan Moyer (Dover, N.H.) competed on the indoor and outdoor track & field teams while working regularly in the Athletics Communications office in several capacities. The creator of PSU's Athlete of the Month series, Moyer also contributed by writing recaps and filling roles with the broadcast team as a commentator, producer and cameraman. In addition to his services for the athletics department, he aided the campus marketing and communications team by writing pieces for Plymouth Magazine and Plymouth State Pulse.
 
From Assistant Director of Athletics, Athletics Communications Chris Kilmer: "Ryan has been an exceptionally valuable member of our team over the last three years. He was always willing to jump in wherever he was needed, despite maintaining the hectic schedule of a multi-season varsity athlete. Even after long meet days during track season, Ryan would write meet recaps on the bus rides home. He was easily our most reliable and dependable worker and was able to cover stats for any sport. He was always the first to volunteer if we were shorthanded and put himself on the schedule as often as possible, working as a true team player to get the job done both accurately and efficiently."