Our Staff Picks for the 2018 Rhetty’s

By: WTBU Sports Staff

This year’s 2018 Rhetty Awards will be given out tonight to honor numerous student-athletes and iconic moments from the past year of Boston University athletics. The awards are split between those given out by the university, and those voted on by the student-athletes themselves. At WTBU Sports, our staff put together our picks for who and what we think are most deserving for each award. Those that have submitted their selections have either covered or been around athletic teams for the majority of the year here at Boston University, giving them an opportunity to see what goes on behind the scenes for these Terriers when they aren’t on the field, the ice, or the hardwood. Some staff members chose to include their reasoning for their selections, while others solely provided their picks. Without further ado, the staff picks* for the 2018 Rhetty’s.

David Souza – Sports Director

Woman of the Year: Rebecca Leslie, Women’s Ice Hockey

John B. Simpson Award (Given to male and female seniors who have demonstrated enthusiasm and leadership): Erin O’Neil, Women’s Ice Hockey & Brandon Hickey, Men’s Ice Hockey

E. Ray Speare Award (Top male scholar-athlete in the senior class): Jack Wilson, Men’s Lacrosse

Gretchen Schuyler Award (Top female scholar-athlete in the senior class): Kara Sheftic, Women’s Basketball

Mildred Barnes Award (Top female athlete): Victoria Bach, Women’s Ice Hockey

Mickey Cochrane Award (Top male athlete): Jordan Greenway, Men’s Ice Hockey

Unsung Hero: Madi Killebrew, Softball

Breakout Athlete: Chris Gray, Men’s Lacrosse

Upset of the Year: BU Softball defeats No. 1 ranked Oklahoma

Play of the Year: Victoria Bach’s highlight-reel goal against Harvard in the Beanpot semifinal

Moment of the Year:Jordan Greenway becomes the first African-American to play for the United States Men’s Olympic Ice Hockey team, and scores his first goal against Slovenia.

Jarett Leonard – Associate Editor

Woman of the Year: Rebecca Leslie, Women’s Hockey

John B. Simpson Award: Sophie Beaudry, Women’s Basketball & Brandon Hickey, Men’s Hockey

Mildred Barnes Award: Victoria Bach, Women’s Hockey

Mickey Cochrane Award: Chris Gray, Men’s Lacrosse

Unsung Hero: Drew Melanson, Men’s Hockey

Breakout Athlete: Chris Gray, Men’s Lacrosse

Upset of the Year: Men’s Lacrosse over No. 10 Bucknell 12-11 in Patriot League Quarterfinals

Play of the Year: Allie Renzi game-winning goal vs. Bucknell in Patriot League Championship

Moment of the Year: Men’s Hockey wins Hockey East Championship

Greg Levinsky – Staff Writer: Men’s Basketball & Men’s Lacrosse

John B. Simpson Award: Corrine Williams, Women’s Basketball & Brandon Hickey, Men’s Ice Hockey

E. Ray Speare Award: Jack Wilson, Men’s Lacrosse – Wilson was three times named to the Patriot League All-Academic Team

Gretchen Schuyler Award: Jilee Schanda, Softball – The centerfielder was also a three-time selectee to the Patriot League All-Academic Team, including last year.

Mildred Barnes Award: Ally Hammel, Field Hockey – An All-American, Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year, and a member of the USA Development Team

Mickey Cochrane Award: Chris Gray, Men’s Lacrosse – Had the best offensive season in BU men’s lacrosse history and is only a freshman. Had the most dominant season among any male athlete at BU.

Unsung Hero: Will Goff, Men’s Basketball – Goff played so many different roles for the team and not only had some great games, but was also a great teammate.

Breakout Athlete: Anna Heilferty, Women’s Soccer – Co-led BU women’s soccer in scoring as a freshman, and was named to the USA Development Team.

Upset of the Year: Softball over No. 1 Oklahoma

Play of the Year: Allie Renzi goal to win Patriot League Field Hockey Title 

Moment of the Year: Jordan Greenway’s selection to the Olympics

Matt Doherty – Staff Writer: Men’s Soccer, Men’s Basketball & Softball

Woman of the Year: Victoria Bach

John B. Simpson Award: Brandon Hickey, Men’s Hockey & Corrine Williams, Women’s Basketball

Mildred Barnes Award: Rachel Bloznalis, Women’s Soccer

Mickey Cochrane Award: Chris Gray, Men’s Lacrosse

Unsung Hero: Bobo Carpenter, Men’s Ice Hockey

Breakout Athlete: Madi Killebrew, Softball

Upset of the Year: BU Softball over No. 1 Oklahoma

Play of the Year: Kailey Conry’s SportsCenter Top 10 Goal

Moment of the Year: Allie Renzi’s goal to win the Patriot League Field
Hockey Championship

Nicole Ericson – Staff Photographer

John B. Simpson Award: Will Goff, Men’s Basketball; Cedrick Hankerson, Men’s Basketball; Corrine Williams, Women’s Basketball; Lizzie Tillo, Swim and Dive

E. Ray Speare Award: David Oluwadara, Men’s Track and Field

Gretchen Schuyler Award: Kara Sheftic, Women’s Basketball

Mildred Barnes Award: Victoria Bach, Women’s Ice Hockey

Mickey Cochrane Award: Jordan Greenway Men’s Ice Hockey

Unsung Hero: Diana Parker Softball

Breakout Athlete: Chris Gray Men’s Lacrosse

Upset of the Year: Softball win over No. 1 ranked Oklahoma

Play of the Year: Pat Curry’s overtime goal against BC in Hockey East Semifinals 

Moment of the Year: Men’s Ice Hockey wins Hockey East Championship

Andrew Mason – Staff Writer: Field Hockey & Women’s Basketball

Woman of the Year: Victoria Bach, Women’s Ice Hockey

John B. Simpson Award: Corrine Williams, Women’s Basketball

Mildred Barnes Award: Victoria Bach, Women’s Ice Hockey

Mickey Cochrane Award:  David Oluwadara, Men’s Track and Field

Unsung Hero: Ally Hammel, Field Hockey

Breakout Athlete: Max Prawdzik, Men’s Ice Hockey

Upset of the Year: Softball beats No. 1 Oklahoma

Play of the Year: Corrine Williams’ swat on Army’s Madison Hovren. – After the game she told me, “Hovren and I got into a tripping incident in the first game, and I was pretty upset that the ref didn’t make the call. But after that block I’d call us even.”

Moment of the Year: Field Hockey defeats Bucknell to win Patriot League Tournament

Matt Dresens: Staff Writer & Photographer: Men’s Ice Hockey

Woman of the Year: Victoria Bach, Women’s Ice Hockey

John B. Simpson Award: Grace Boston, Field Hockey & Brandon Hickey, Men’s Ice Hockey

Mildred Barnes Award: Victoria Bach, Women’s Ice Hockey

Mickey Cochrane Award: Chris Gray, Men’s Lacrosse

Unsung Hero: Drew Melanson, Men’s Ice Hockey

Breakout Athlete: Chris Gray, Men’s Lacrosse

Upset of the Year: Men’s Lacrosse over No. 10 Bucknell in Patriot League Quarterfinals

Play of the Year: Pat Curry’s overtime goal vs. BC

Moment of the Year: Men’s Hockey wins Hockey East and Ali Dubois’ no-hitter

Max Wolpoff: Broadcaster

Woman of the Year: Victoria Bach, Women’s Ice Hockey
If Bach is from anywhere other than Canada, she plays in the Olympics back in February. Her skills at center paved the way for her best on-ice season, a spot on the All-American team, and a finalist for the Patty Kazmaier Award as the nation’s top player. Add to that a stint with the Canadians at the Nations Cup, she is the best student-athlete this university has: male or female.
John B. Simpson Award: Ally Hammel, Field Hockey & Adam Sheikali, Men’s Soccer
Hammel led an already good BU team back to the NCAA tournament not by lighting up the field with her shot, rather her steady and reliable defense. She led all players in minutes played as BUFHA held the opposition to 35 goals in 22 games, a defense that allowed more than three goals twice and shutout opponents six times.
Sheikali played 1,673 minutes on a BU back line that needed to be sharp to keep BU in contention every game. His lone goal of the year was also the team’s first in non-exhibition play after going five games without one. Defense led the way for BU, and Sheikali is the leader for that back line.

Mildred Barnes Award: Victoria Bach, Women’s Ice Hockey

How does a year that breaks personal and program records NOT win this award? Her 67 points pushed her career totals to the top of the program list, surpassing one-time teammates and legends Marie-Philip Poulin and Sarah Lefort. Add to that a top-3 finish for national player of the year, Bach is a lock.

Mickey Cochrane Award: Jake Oettinger, Men’s Ice Hockey

When Men’s hockey needed a big game, it had to come from the blue paint. Five shutouts on the year and a late-season surge to pull the Terriers to the Hockey East Championship brings Oettinger to serious consideration. He made the big saves to keep BU in games, especially the Hockey East Final win over Providence.

Unsung Hero: Mary Grace Kelley, Women’s Ice Hockey

With absences up and down the lineup at points throughout the season, Kelley had a bump in minutes with players like Victoria Bach and Rebecca Leslie. She rewarded her coach’s trust with her best season in the Scarlet and White (four goals, 10 assists). She may not be the headline-grabber, but her contributions deserve recognition.

Breakout Athlete: Amanda Fay, Women’s Soccer

On a team that prides itself on its defense, Fay took over goalkeeping duties and kept BU in every contest she played. Her only loss by more than one goal came against Boston College in her first collegiate start. Eight clean sheets in nine wins for the freshman.

Upset of the Year: Softball beats No. 1 Oklahoma

Never mind that the game-tying and game-winning runs were unearned, BU shocked the top-team in the country. In a year without a clear-cut favorite for most teams, this late entrant is an easy pick.

Play of the Year: 1-2-3 Double Play against Bucknell.

Set the scene: three runners on for the Bison, four-run game. Cali Dolfi’s last pitch was lined down the right field line foul – if it’s fair, the game is tied. She gets pinch-hitter Lauren Lichtenwalner to ground it back to her, she throws to Alex Heinen at the plate for one, who guns it to Kaitlin Sahlinger for the double play to end the inning. Dolfi pitched the rest of the game and did not allow a run on the way to a win. On top of its importance in the game, the sheer rarity of the 1-2-3 double play deserves a spotlight.

Moment of the Year: Patrick Curry scores overtime winner against BC.

In a game where BU needed to win for a shot to make the NCAA tournament, Curry buried his third goal of the season for a trip to the Hockey East Finals. With a season riding on their results in the conference tournament, Curry delivered and gave the Terriers a chance to make the national tournament.

Akshai Wadhwani – Staff Writer: Men’s Soccer & Women’s Ice Hockey

John B. Simpson Award: Alex Heinen, Softball & Jacki Carty, Women’s Soccer

Mildred Barnes Award: Victoria Bach, Women’s Ice Hockey
Broke four program records this year, and led the Terriers in goals (39), points (67), and plus-minus (+31). Was constantly praised by both her teammates and Coach Durocher as an excellent leader and brilliant player.
 
Unsung Hero: Julianna Chen, Women’s Soccer
Anchored BU’s midfield, providing first line of both offense and defense; distributed the ball brilliantly in attack, and made excellent tackles in the midfield area to shut down opponents’ offense in its early stages.
 
Breakout Athlete: Anna Heilferty, Women’s Soccer
The freshman was an offensive threat from both the right and left wings, bringing blazing speed and high-energy movement & passing to BU’s offense. Played in every single match this season, co-leading the Terriers in goals (5) and assists (3). She’s going to do great things in the coming years.
Upset of the Year: BU 2, Lehigh 0, Men’s Soccer
Coming into the match, Lehigh were conference leaders on a five-game win streak –during which they had allowed just three goals – and were averaging almost 2 goals and 12 shots per match. They also boasted the Patriot League leaders in both goals and assists among their players. In the ensuing match, BU survived 15 shots on goal and 10 corner kicks en route to a 2-0 shutout victory.
Play of the Year: BU Softball’s 1-2-3 double play against Bucknell
With the bases loaded in the top of the 4th inning, pitcher Cali Dolfi fielded a ground ball and threw to home plate for out number one. Catcher Alex Heinen then immediately fired the ball over to first, beating out the Bison runner for an incredible inning-ending double play.
Moment of the Year: Victoria Bach’s record-setting 58th point of the season
Bach assisted Rebecca Leslie for BU’s third and final goal against the Eagles in the second period of the Beanpot Championship game, breaking the program record for points in a season with her 58th of the year after having tied it with a goal earlier in the game. As well as setting a new record, the assist also completed a furious second-period comeback by the Terriers after being behind 2-0 at the end of the opening frame.

Brian Lombardo – Staff Writer: Women’s Ice Hockey

John B. Simpson Award: Brandon Hickey, Men’s Ice Hockey, & Jilee Schanda, Softball
Hickey was the captain of the Terriers in a season in which they completely turned it around. It takes good leadership to right a ship when you’re playing the kind of quality opponents the hockey team does on any given night.
Schanda has been a huge part of the softball team’s success this season. She captains the outfield and also contributes at the plate batting .324 on the season. Schanda has been a standout player all her career for the Terriers winning the Patriot League player of the year in 2017.
 
Mildred Barnes Award: Victoria Bach, Women’s Ice Hockey
Bach lead the way for Coach Durocher’s team all season, breaking records just about every week. This season alone Bach set program records in points in a season [39 goals 28 assists (67 points)] also setting a record for career points with the program. She has been a standout player not just in Hockey East, but nationally earning top-3 honors for the Patty Kazmaier award (Women’s top player).
Mickey Cochrane Award: Jake Oettinger, Men’s Ice Hockey
Oettinger was the workhorse for the hockey team all season, leading the Terriers to an appearance in the NCAA tournament with a shutout of Providence College in the Hockey East Championship.
 
Unsung Hero: Bobo Carpenter, Men’s Ice Hockey
Bobo lead the Terriers in goals and tied for the team lead in points on a team with a lot of talent. Most of the attention was on the Jordan Greenway’s and Brady Tkachuk’s of the team, but Bobo quietly put together an impressive season. He was also awarded the captaincy for next season.
 
Breakout Athlete: Ali Dubois, Softball
Dubois has been outstanding all season for the Terriers during her rookie campaign. She has multiple Patriot League rookie and player of the week awards. She is currently posting a 23-7 record with a 1.89 ERA and 159 SO.
 
Upset of the Year/Moment of the Year: Softball upsets No. 1 Oklahoma 
The Terrier softball team took down the No. 1 ranked team in the country. The Sooners were also defending champs.
Play of the Year: Patrick Curry’s overtime game-winning goal to beat Boston College
The strike sent the men’s hockey team to the Hockey East Championship, and the opportunity to win an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament.

* = These picks are unrelated to the awards that will be given out by the Boston University Athletic Department, these picks are solely of our staff’s own choosing and have no bearing on the actual selectees.

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