Indianapolis, IN — Putting a cap on what could be argued as the greatest career in Goshen College women’s basketball history, senior Erin McDugle was named to 2004-2005 Third Team All-Mid-Central Conference honors, the league announced Monday.

Despite fighting chronic back pain and a related illness throughout this season, the 2003-2004 MCC Player of the Year led the Leafs in scoring (15.3 points per game) and rebounding (5.6 rebounds per game) for the second consecutive season. Her current 1,770 career points is tops in program history, while her 722 career boards is second on the all-time list. Her 493 made free throws is also tops in the school’s record books. McDugle has also shot a remarkable 49.7 percent (602 for 1209) for her career, impressive numbers considering the center has no problems extending her range to three-point territory.

“I am really proud of how Erin has fought through some severe physical ailments that have really limited her normal ability to still be all-conference,” said Steve Wiktorowski, Goshen head coach. “She never missed a game and has led us in minutes played this season. She has been the main target of the defensive schemes of opposing teams, often being double and even triple teamed. Despite all of these obstacles, she has averaged over 15 points per game and leads us in rebounding. She has had a truly remarkable career.”

Recurring back pain forced McDugle to begin using prescription medicine last season to limit her discomfort. Unfortunately, the prolonged use of her medication caused some severe side-effects, as McDugle missed a large portion of practice time throughout the season with related stomach ailments.

“Erin has gone through some difficult health issues this year,” Wiktorowski said. “Even with those problems, she continued to fight to improve and play through it. She has really given her all during her career here.”

McDugle was the 2003-2004 MCC Player of the Year after averaging a league-leading 20.3 points per game and leading the Leafs to both the regular-season and post-season tournament MCC Championships. She was a major reason for Goshen’s 26-9 win-loss record in 2003-2004 — the best in school history — and helped guide the team to the school’s first trip to NAIA National Championship competition.

Indiana Wesleyan University’s Liz Howerth was named the 2004-2005 MCC Player of the Year, while the University of St. Francis’ Megan Dossan was named Newcomer of the Year. Wesleyan’s Steve Brooks took Coach of the Year honors. For a complete list of All-MCC awards and teams, click here.

Goshen finished the 2004-2005 regular season with an 11-20 record and a 3-13 mark in MCC competition. The team will travel to third-ranked and first-seeded Indiana Wesleyan for the first round of the MCC Tournament Tuesday night. Game time is set for 7 p.m. in Luckey Gymnasium.