Jaarsma named NEC Defensive Player and Goalkeeper of the Year
Jaarsma becomes just the second major award winner in DI program history and is the first player in 11 years to take home both defensive and goalkeeper of the year honors in the same season. In addition, Jaarsma was named First Team All-NEC along with junior Taryn Rauff. Classmate Brittany Gouws was named to the All-NEC Second Team.
The senior from Uithoorn, Netherlands, has enjoyed a historic season and will graduate as one of the best goalies in program history. It seems fitting that Jaarsma’s history-making campaign comes in the same year as the Bulldogs are inducting Kundayi Mawema into the Bryant Athletics Hall of Fame. Jaarsma joins Kim Stow from Sacred Heart (2010) as the only players in NEC history to earn defensive and goalkeeper of the year honors in the same season. She is also just the second major award winner in DI program history, joining Rosie Bird (NEC Rookie of the Year 2011).
Jaarsma was spectacular in cage for the Black and Gold, finishing with a single-season record 202 saves. She led the nation with 11.2 saves per game, becoming just the seventh goalie since 2006 to finish with more than 11 saves per game in a single season. Jaarsma finished with a .780 save percentage and posted shutouts in each of Bryant’s wins this year. She made 10+ saves on 12 occasions, including a program record 20 against New Hampshire. Jaarsma will graduate with 495 career saves.
