MELANIE ROBERTSON Armstrong, hockey
In five years as a varsity player for the Falcons, Robertson, a senior, has established herself as the indisputable team leader, a rock-solid defenseman who is always in position and rarely makes a mistake.
So respected is Robertson that her teammates elected her captain prior to her sophomore year, a title she has retained for three years.
"She's always been a big leader for us," coach Joel Zejdlik said.
But, with a young roster this season, Armstrong was finding itself challenged at the other end of the ice, unable to generate consistent offense.
Enter Robertson.
Five games ago, Zejdlik installed Robertson at center and the Falcons started scoring goals. Last week, she had her first career hat trick in an 8-5 victory over Alexandria and had two goals and two assists, including the game-winning goal on a breakaway in overtime, as Armstrong beat Brainerd 4-3.
"I think that was the first breakaway I've ever had," Robertson said. "I thought I was going in slow motion, it took so long to get down the ice. It was just a great feeling when the shot went in."
Robertson has 10 goals and five assists since being moved to center, and Armstrong has averaged five goals a game since the switch.