William Smith College sophomore lacrosse player Maddie Montgomery was presented with the Hazel Nettleship Hardy '65 Award at the 2021 Heron Awards celebration.
 
The Hazel Nettleship Hardy '65 Award is presented to an outstanding athlete in her middle years who has contributed to the growth of Heron athletics and is an excellent representative of William Smith students.
 
The 2021 Liberty League Rookie of the Year, Montgomery led the Herons with 49 goals and 57 points. She was second on the team with eight assists. Playing in her first collegiate season after recovering from a knee injury, Montgomery's 49 goals were tied for 19th on the single-season list and is the most by a player in her rookie season since Heather Dwinell '90 scored 54 goals back in 1987. Montgomery scored at least two goals in 13 of the Herons' 15 games this season, including eight hat tricks. She logged a career-high eight points on six goals and two assists against Clarkson. She also scored six goals on her way to earning Most Outstanding Player honors in the Liberty League Championship game against Ithaca. An IWLCA All-Empire Region selection, Montgomery had five goals and two assists in her NCAA tournament debut against Meredith. She was named the Liberty League's Rookie of the Week four times. In addition, Montgomery had 43 draw controls, third on the team, 15 ground balls and eight caused turnovers.
 
Off the field, Montgomery is a psychology major with a minor in philosophy and music. She was a Liberty League All-Academic selection for both the lacrosse and soccer teams. A Dean's List student, Montgomery is a member of the a cappella group, Perfect Third, choral and the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.