Westfield, Mass. — Emily Hiller of Bridgewater State and Lauren Arbec of Worcester State are the 2021 MASCAC Offensive and Defensive Player of the Year and headline the All-Conference team which was voted on by the coaches from around the league. 

Hiller, a senior midfielder from Marion, Mass., was a major contributor for the Bears offensively this year. She was the leading scorer in the conference racking up 37 goals and 48 points. She peppered opposing goalies with a league-leading 67 shots on-goal and converted 15 free position opportunities. In addition to her goal-scoring numbers, Hiller was also fourth in the conference in assists  with 11.

Arbec defends her title as MASCAC Defensive Player of the Year after winning the first-ever award in 2019. She helped the Lancers to a 3-1 league record to help earn a share of the regular-season title. She led her in ground balls (28) and caused turnovers (19) as the Worcester defense finished with an 8.49 goals-against average. All three of those marked ranked second in the league.

Framingham State’s Hannah Guerin and Worcester State’s Lily Gendron each earned a share of the 2021 MASCAC Rookie of the Year honor. Guerin a freshman attack for the Rams, finished second in the league in points (43) and assists (15) and fourth in goals (28). Meanwhile, Gendron, a Lancers midfielder, registered 22 goals and five assists for 27 points. She also had 27 draw controls.

After securing a share of the MASCAC regular-season title, Kelly Downs of Worcester State was been named the 2021 Champion’s Choice Coach of the Year.

Twelve student-athletes comprised the MASCAC All-Conference First Team including Guerin at attack, Hiller and Gendron at midfield, and Arbec at defender. Joining them on the lone All-Conference team this year were Bridgewater State’s Katherine Tracy, Fitchburg State’s Nicole Kopacz, Framingham State’s Hanna McMahon and Tara Palermo, and Westfield State’s Kara Banagan, Sam Donohoe, Cassidy Harvey, and Victoria Paine.