Women's Hockey | 5/23/2012 1:54:00 PM

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ROCHESTER, NY - Junior defenseman #Kristina Moss (Webster, NY/Buffalo Bisons)#, of the RIT women's hockey team, was honored as the 2011 PAYCHEX Female College Athlete of the Year at the Rochester Press Radio Club's 63rd Annual Day of Champions Children's Charity Dinner on Wednesday, May 23, 2012, at the Rochester Riverside Convention Center. She became the fourth RIT Female Athlete to be honored by the Press Radio Club and third in the last three years, joining #Katie Stack (Batavia, NY/Rochester Edge)#, who was honored in 2009 and #Sarah Dagg (St. George, Ontario/Hamilton Hawks)#, who won the award last year.

Moss was the heart and soul of the RIT women's hockey team that enjoyed a storybook 2011-12 season, winning the 2012 NCAA Division III Women's Ice Hockey National Championship for the first time in program history. RIT recorded an astounding 28-1-1 record, setting a Division III record for wins in a season. Moss, a graduate of Webster Thomas High School, earned CCM/Old-Time Hockey First Team All-American accolades, while leading a defensive unit that held opponents to just 30 goals in 30 games, tops in the nation. Moss also thrived on the offensive end, tallying 34 points, second most of any defenseman in the country, while her 27 assists were second among all players in Division III.
 
On March 20, less than 72 hours after winning the National Championship, RIT announced that it would be moving the women's hockey team to Division I for the 2012-13 season, competing in College Hockey America. In addition, the league announced the team would be eligible for post-season honors immediately.
 
“Winning a national championship then moving to Division I is an amazing feeling,” says Moss, a health administration major. “I can't wait to prepare for my senior season, knowing we will be playing the best teams in the country at college hockey's highest level.”
 
Moss, who tallied 18 points over her last nine regular season games, was a 2012 All-ECAC West first team selection, while earning ECAC West and RIT Female Athlete of the Week honors on Jan. 23. She has 63 points (15-48-63) in 87 career games.
 
“Not only does Kristina lead by example on the ice, by playing in all key situations and checking the opponents' top lines, but she is one of our vocal leaders in the locker room and on the bench, and has the ability to inspire our team to play harder,” says RIT Head Coach Scott McDonald. “I think Kristina epitomizes the character of this award. She has truly earned this honor through her dedication, commitment, and unselfish play on the ice.”
 
Moss arrived at RIT in 2009-10, and immediately became a mainstay in the lineup, appearing in all 27 games, finishing with 10 points on three goals and seven assists. The Tigers went 19-5-3 and finished third in the highly competitive ECAC West. She improved tremendously in her sophomore season, recording five goals and 14 assists for 19 points, while playing in all 30 games, and helping RIT make its second appearance in the NCAA Division III Tournament. RIT advanced to the National Championship game before losing to Norwich, 5-2. RIT finished the season with an impressive 26-2-2 record.
 
“Kristina has always brought grit and determination to our team,” says McDonald, who has led the Tigers to a 135-22-10 record in six seasons behind the bench, including a 54-3-3 mark over the last two years. “Her commitment over the past three years has enabled her to become one of the top college hockey players in the country.”
 
Heading into the 2011-12 season, RIT was poised to make another run at a national championship. The Tigers began and ended the season with 14 consecutive wins, sandwiched between a tie and loss during the middle of January to rival Plattsburgh State. The Tigers won their second straight ECAC West Championship, avenging the loss to Plattsburgh in the championship game, 2-1. The Tigers defeated Concordia Moorhead 5-2 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, before defeating Plattsburgh for the second time in 12 days, 2-1 in overtime in the national semifinal. Moss set the tone for the Tigers in the national championship, scoring just nine minutes in, on her way to being named to the NCAA Championship All-Tournament team. RIT scored three third period goals to avenge its loss in last year's championship to Norwich and win the University's third national title. 
 
“It's a tremendous honor for Kristina to follow in the footsteps of two former teammates, Katie Stack (Batavia, NY/Rochester Edge) (2009) and Sarah Dagg (St. George, Ontario/Hamilton Hawks) (2010), in winning such a prestigious honor,” says McDonald.  “It's even more of an honor to win it in your hometown, playing for your hometown team.”

Several local sports personalities and athletes were honored at this gala event. Super Bowl 46 Champion, Eli Manning, of the New York Giants, was the featured guest.

A complete list of award winners and dinner information (tickets, sponsorships) is available at www.pressradio.org. The dinner benefits local children's charities.

RIT recipients of the PAYCHEX Male Athlete of the Year:
1992 - Jason Rich, men's soccer
1994 - Tony Fraij, men's cross country/track and field
1996 - Craig Jones, men's basketball
1998 - Matt Hamill, wrestling
1999 - Ben Hunt, men's lacrosse
2002 - Mike Bournazakis, men's hockey
2007 - Simon Lambert, men's hockey
2010 - Jared DeMichiel, men's hockey

RIT recipients of the PAYCHEX Female Athlete of the Year:
2009 - Katie Stack (Batavia, NY/Rochester Edge), women's hockey
2010 - Sarah Dagg (St. George, Ontario/Hamilton Hawks), women's hockey
2011 - Kristina Moss (Webster, NY/Buffalo Bisons), women's hockey

RIT recipients of the Press Radio Club Local Amateur Athlete of the Year:
1999 - Kristine Pierce, women's hockey