MADISON, Wis. – Wisconsin women's hockey student-athletes Annie Pankowski, Maddie Rolfes, Jenny Ryan, Sophia Shaver and Lauren Williams were named WCHA Scholar-Athletes, the league announced Thursday.

It marks the third time that Ryan, a two-time alternate captain, has received the honor while Pankowski, UW's leading scorer this year, earns the honor for a second-straight year. Both Badgers have received the NCAA Elite 90 Award for having the highest cumulative grade-point average at the NCAA Frozen Four.

To earn recognition as a WCHA Scholar-Athlete, conference-member student-athletes must have completed at least one year of residency at their present institution prior to the current academic year and must also have a grade-point average of at least 3.50 on a 4.0 scale for the previous two semesters or three quarters, or may qualify if his/her overall GPA is at least 3.50 for all terms at his or her present institution.

A zoology major, Pankowski leads Wisconsin this season with 39 points from 18 goals and 21 assists, including three game-winning goals and 10 game-winning assists. The Laguna Hills, California, native sits third in the NCAA in goals per game (0.72), fifth in short-handed goals (2), sixth in points per game (1.56) and eighth in assists per game (0.84). Pankowski garnered WCHA Offensive Player of the Week honors on Nov. 22, 2016 and has tallied two hat tricks so far this year, including Wisconsin's first natural hat trick since Feb. 24, 2012.

Boasting a +25 plus/minus rating, Rolfes helps anchor Wisconsin's blueline. A first-time recipient of this award, the West Des Moines, Iowa, native has recorded 13 points so far this year from one goal and 12 assists. A life science and communications major, Rolfes has four game-winning assists on the season. 

A three-time WCHA Scholar Athlete honoree, Ryan has come into her own as a top defender not only at UW, but in the NCAA. A kinesiology major, Ryan has accrued seven goals and 12 assists to lead all Wisconsin defenders with 19 overall points. The Victor, New York, native possesses a +31 plus/minus rating and plays a central role in Wisconsin's top-ranked defense, limiting opponents to just 0.96 goals per game.

Shaver, a marketing major, is another first-time recipient of the accolade. The Wayzata, Minnesota, native has racked up 15 points this season from three goals and 12 assists. Shaver contributes to Wisconsin's dynamic offense, which leads the nation averaging 4.25 goals per game. Shaver matched a career-high three assists against Bemidji State on Nov. 6, as the Badgers shut out the Beavers, 6-0.

Williams, a double major in sociology and psychology, is a first-time recipient of the award. The Windsor, Ontario, native has six points on the season from one goal and five assists. Williams enjoys a +18 plus/minus rating, and earned the game-winning goal against North Dakota on Oct. 23.

The WCHA Scholar-Athlete Award was developed through member team Faculty Representatives and approved by the conference membership for the 2005-06 season.