The Manitoba Women's High School Hockey League recognized a Portage Collegiate Saint earlier this week. Abby Reichert was named the top goaltender in the league's third division, which she says came as a huge surprise.

"I knew I was nominated but I had no idea I was winning. I actually thought we had known that I wasn't going to win," Reichert explains. "Going up on the stage as a nominee,  I fully expected to come back down with nothing but it was a good surprise. An exciting one."

The Grade 11 student was the Saints' best player in many of their games this season. Reichert finished the year second in save percentage at 0.932, had a 2.51 goals-against-average, and made 468 total saves. Reichert was fourth in saves but played 15 games, while all the goalies ahead of her played between 19-26 games.

Reichert is very proud of this achievement but it was not the only award she received for the 2022-23 campaign. The goaltender also played 16 games for the U18 AAA Central Plains Capitals and was given the team's Academic Excellence Award.

She currently has an average of 96.25% in school this year and played for both the major women's hockey teams in Portage. Reichert describes how she was able to succeed in all areas.

"It's very busy. A lot of times during the season, I was very burnt out and wanted a break," says Reichert. "It was just about pushing through and finding a time to balance both. Sometimes that meant making sacrifices but that's what you need to do."

The goalie adds when she started to get burnt out, she reminded herself that her teammates were counting on her. Reichert believes keeping that in mind is what really helped her get through the most hectic times.

While Reichert had a stellar individual season, it wasn't quite the same for the PCI Saints as a whole, finishing the year with a record of 2-19-3. 

"Hopefully, we can work our way toward a few more wins (next year) and just stay competitive in the league. Maybe we can move up in the standings a little more."

Reichert notes she wouldn't have received this award if it wasn't for her Saints' teammates and their head coach Jo-Anne Clark-Gilespie being in her corner all season.

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