Women’s hockey captain Jill Morillo earns two major awards

The UOIT Ridgebacks women’s hockey program is celebrating the achievements of captain Jill Morillo after Ontario University Athletics (OUA) announced this year’s women’s hockey all-stars and major award winner recipients.

Morillo, a third-year Nuclear Engineering student, was named an OUA first team all-star, becoming the first Ridgebacks women’s hockey player to earn this level of recognition. She is also UOIT's and the OUA’s nominee for the national Marion Hilliard award, which is presented to reward excellence in the student-athlete for exhibiting outstanding achievement in three areas: hockey, academics and community involvement. Morillo is also the first UOIT student-athlete to be nominated for this major award by the OUA.

“Jill is a true varsity athlete; achieving academic and athletic success through commitment, focus and discipline as well as finding the time to play a valuable role within the community,” said UOIT head coach Karen Nystrom. “She is a consummate leader on and off the ice who is always leading by example and is admired by her teammates for her composure, leadership, professionalism and performance.”

The Ridgebacks forward finished the season with 17 goals and 15 assists in 26 games played, which were all new program highs.