DANBURY, Conn. — Penn State Altoona first-year forward Mallorie Smith (Bellefonte, Pennsylvania/Bellefonte) was chosen as the Eastern College Athletic Conference’s Division III South Region Rookie of the Month in women’s soccer.

Smith’s excellent freshman season continued during the month of October, when she helped lead the Lions to a fourth place finish in the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference and a berth into the conference tournament.

In 10 games for Penn State Altoona in October, Smith recorded nine goals and four assists for a total of 22 points. Three of her goals were game-winners, and she attempted 39 shots, putting 25 of them on goal. The freshman turned in three multi-goal efforts, including her first collegiate hat trick in a win over Penn College on Oct. 6.

Smith’s performance in October was recognized within the AMCC, as she was named the conference’s Offensive Player of the Week twice.

Smith concluded her freshman season ranking second in the AMCC in game-winning goals (4), fourth in shots (70), fifth in assists (7), and sixth in goals scored (11) and points (29). The freshman started all 18 games for the Lions.

Penn State Altoona women’s soccer went 8-10 this season, including going 5-3 in the AMCC to finish fourth in the regular season standings. The Lions earned a berth into the AMCC Tournament, where they defeated La Roche in the first round before suffering a loss to Penn State Behrend in the semifinal round.