BOSTON, Mass. - October 21, 2024 - Atlantic Hockey America is proud to honor four student-athletes as AHA Players of the Week for their outstanding on-ice performances in games of Oct. 17-19, 2024. This week's winners are Penn State freshman Grace Outwater (Forward), RIT sophomore Emma Pickering (Defenseman), Penn State junior Katie DeSa (Goaltender), and Mercyhurst freshman Magdalena Luggin (Rookie).

AHA FORWARD OF THE WEEK
Grace Outwater, Fr., F, Penn State
Penn State freshman forward Grace Outwater scored two goals, one on the power play, this weekend to help power the Nittany Lions to a sweep over Dartmouth. Both goals were scored in Penn State's 4-1 victory on Saturday, Oct. 19. Her first collegiate goal came at even strength at 16:09 in the 2nd period, with her second goal of the game coming at 4:55 of the 3rd period. The performance gave the Picton, Ontario native her first multi-point, multi-goal effort in her collegiate career. Outwater also added six shots on goal and two blocks on the weekend. In eight games played this year, Outwater is up to five points on two goals and three assists.

AHA DEFENSEMAN OF THE WEEK
Emma Pickering, So., D, RIT
RIT sophomore defenseman Emma Pickering scored two goals, fired five shots on goal, and blocked three shots for the Tigers this weekend against RPI. Both of Pickering's goals came on the power play in Thursday's 3-3 tie on Oct. 17. She scored the first goal of the game at 15:34 of the 1st period, then found the back of the net again at 6:04 of the 3rd period. On the season, the Fishers, Ind. native is tied for the team lead in goals with four, and leads the Tigers in power play goals with three. 

AHA GOALTENDER OF THE WEEK
Katie DeSa, Jr., G, Penn State
Penn State junior goaltender Katie DeSa led the Nittany Lions to a 2-0-0 weekend vs. Dartmouth. Getting the start in both games, DeSa only allowed one goal the entire series. She recorded her first shutout win of the season on Friday, Oct. 18 by stopping all 15 shots she faced en route to a 2-0 Penn State win. DeSa then turned aside 12-of-13 shots in Saturday's 4-1 win. On the season, the Pawcatuck, Conn. native currently holds a 5-2-0 record with a GAA of 1.58 and save percentage of .911. This is DeSa's second AHA Goaltender of the Week honor this season, with the first coming on Sept. 30.

AHA ROOKIE OF THE WEEK
Magdalena Luggin, Fr., G, Mercyhurst
Freshman goaltender Magdalena Luggin made 43 saves and picked up her first career win on Saturday, Oct. 19 against (6/6) Cornell. The Vienna, Austria native made 15 saves in the 1st period, 16 in the 2nd period, and 12 in the 3rd period. All in all, Luggin turned aside 43 of 44 shot attempts for a save percentage of .977. On the season, the freshman goaltender holds a save percentage of .958 and GAA of 1.69 in three games. 

About Atlantic Hockey America
Atlantic Hockey America (AHA) embarks on its first season in 2024-25 after the merger between the Atlantic Hockey Association and College Hockey America. The conference fields 11 men’s teams (American International College, Bentley University, Canisius University, The College of Holy Cross, Mercyhurst University, Niagara University, Rochester Institute of Technology, Robert Morris University, Sacred Heart University, the United States Air Force Academy, and the United States Military Academy), and six women’s teams (Lindenwood University, Mercyhurst University, Penn State University, Rochester Institute of Technology, Robert Morris University, and Syracuse University). In 2025-26, Delaware University will join the women’s league. For more information, visit atlantichockeyamerica.com.