The Albert Lea Tigers may have fell just short in their bid for the Big Nine and Section 1A girls’ hockey championships, but they’re not lacking in postseason honors.

Third in the conference and runner-up in the section tournament, the Tigers landed five players on the All-Big Nine team while another received honorable mention. But that’s not all. Two ALHS girls got honorable mention on the Associated Press all-state team, and Albert Lea coach Mike Miller shared the Big Nine Coach of the Year honor.

The 2002-03 Tigers &045; with only two seniors on the roster &045; finished 21-8 overall and 13-3 in the conference.

Voted all-conference by the Big Nine coaches were Albert Lea defensemen Frances O’Donnell and Brittany Arendt, forwards Laura Hillman and Tessa Christensen, and goalkeeper Danika Porter. Christine Tubbs was honorable mention on defense.

O’Donnell completed her sixth varsity season, tallying two goals and 14 assists as a senior.

&uot;She was the smartest defenseman on the team,&uot; said Miller. &uot;She had to be, because we really needed her back there this year.&uot;

Arendt, a junior, had 18 goals and 21 assists while splitting time between defense and forward.

&uot;She’s a great puck-handler, one of the best stick-handlers on the team,&uot; said Miller.

Hillman, a freshman, led the Tigers with 54 goals and 31 assists.

&uot;She’s fun to watch,&uot; said Miller. &uot;She just has a gift for putting it in the net.&uot;

Christensen was Hillman’s playmaking linemate, registering 23 goals and 31 assists as a sophomore.

&uot;She’s the hardest worker on the team,&uot; said Miller. &uot;She showed it in January and February.&uot;

Porter, a freshman and second-year varsity starter, had all 21 of the Tigers’ victories while stopping 551 shots. She posted eight shutouts.

&uot;She’s very consistent,&uot; said Miller. &uot;She is one of the best goalies, if not the best, in Southern Minnesota, in my opinion.&uot;

Miller said Tubbs, who had a goal and seven assists as a junior, is, &uot;A combination of speed and strength, a very solid defenseman.&uot;

As for the Big Nine Coach of the Year honor, which Miller shared with Jim O’Brien of Rochester John Marshall,Miller said it’s a credit to the entire program and something he would trade in a heartbeat.

&uot;It’s a nice honor, but I would have gladly traded it for a trip to the state tournament,&uot; said Miller, who added that good assistant coaches are important, and talented, hard-working players are imperative.

&uot;You need to have a good coaching staff, and my assistant coaches are just as responsible for that as I am,&uot; said Miller. &uot;Kris (Ellsworth) and Jason (Fornwald) had a huge hand in the team this year. And you need players to step up, and our players did that.&uot;

The 2002-03 Big Nine Girls’ Hockey All-Conference Team, by position:

&045; Defensemen &045; Brittany Arendt, Frances O’Donnell, Albert Lea; Jenny Nemitz, Austin; Holly Noble, Maggie Jenkins, Owatonna; Cristin Stewart, Ricky Fenner, Rochester JM; Beth Meredith, Rochester Mayo; Amanda Lubhan, Winona;

&045; Forwards &045; Laura Hillman, Tessa Christensen, Albert Lea; Kristen Faber, Courtney Hughes, Austin; Katie Medd, Maggie Duff, Mankato East; Amanda Umhoefer, Mankato West; Lindsay Macy, Ashley Jenkins, Megan Higgins, Cassie Knopp, Owatonna; Jodi Holland, Amanda McCoy, Amy Fordham, Rochester John Marshall;

&045; Goaltenders &045; Danika Porter, Albert Lea; Kelsey Myos, Faribault; Sarah Manguray, Rochester John Marshall.

Honorable mention selections, by school: Albert Lea &045; Christine Tubbs; Austin &045; Jessica Petersen; Faribault &045; Ali Miller, Alli Foley, Erin Kastner; Mankato East &045; Ann Hartman, Jenny Kotthoff, Samantha Twedt; Mankato West &045; Emily Schmitz, Erica Ramus, Brittany Sorell; Owatonna &045; Katie Baldwin, Emily Belmore; Rochester John Marshall &045; Tiffany Pirius; Rochester Mayo &045; Jessie Nash, Lindsey Thompson, Kari Gabrielson, Mary Clare McGregor; Winona &045; Amanda Krings, Katie Florin.

Big Nine Co-Coach of the Year: Mike Miller, Albert Lea, Jim O’Brien, Rocheser John Marshall.