Some would call being named Player of the Year a high honor. Others, a consolation prize. But either way, what Ohio goaltender Paul Marshall has accomplished was record-setting.
Marshall, a fifth-year senior from Orland Park, Ill., saw the final fruits of his work yesterday when he was named the American Collegiate Hockey Association Player of the Year.
As a senior going out
it's a great way to end the year Marshall said. I'd rather have a national championship right now but it wasn't in the cards for us.
Marshall wrapped up his career as a Bobcat March 9 in Ohio's 4-2 loss to Iowa State in the semifinals of the ACHA National Championships. He started all but three games in net this season, leading the Bobcats to a 34-10-3 record, a Central States Collegiate Hockey League regular-season title and a third-place finish in the final ACHA rankings.
He came a long way from where he started
said coach Dan Morris, who was a finalist for Coach of the Year. He had a lot of good coaches and a lot of good teammates to work with.
Marshall backed up goalie Ryan Baksh his freshman year before being redshirted his second year to make room for newcomer Chris Carlson. He then split time with Carlson the next two seasons. When a knee injury kept Carlson off the ice this season, Marshall worked between the pipes full-time.
He was the reason why we were successful this year
Morris said. He's recognized in the league as the top goalie
and he had the stats to back it up.
Marshall leaves Ohio with the records for career minutes played (6,165), career wins (71), single-season wins (31), career shutouts (15), single-season shutouts (6), career goals-against average (2.09) and career save percentage (92 percent).
Morris said Marshall might play professionally in the U.S. or in Europe, but Marshall is also looking for job offers in sports management, which is his major.
Marshall said he continues to lift with the Bobcats during the offseason and will be working with his goalie coach this summer.
Marshall beat out three other finalists for Player of the Year. Michael Macari of Michigan-Dearborn, as well as both Kyle Dodgson and Dave Semenyna of Liberty were also competing for the award, Morris said.
If it wasn't for our team
I wouldn't have this award
Marshall said. It's our overall philosophy of team defense.
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