DULUTH, Minn. – Ohio State defenseman Sophie Jacquez won the Patty Kazmaier Award for the top player in NCAA Division I women’s hockey on Saturday.
Jaquez, from Toronto, is the first Buckeye and second quarterback to win the award. He helped Ohio State to a 33-5-2 record and a berth in Sunday’s NCAA national title game against Wisconsin.
Jaquez led all NCAA defensemen in points (48), goals (24), power play goals (9) and points per game (1.23) in 40 games. On the Buckeyes’ top defensive pairing, Jax has helped Ohio State hold opponents to 1.75 goals per game and has blocked 55 shots this season.
“Receiving this award is something I never thought possible,” Jaquez said in a statement, adding later: “Even though it’s a personal award, I’ve had a whole group of people support me this season and throughout my career. Ohio State and I owe it all to my coaches and teammates over the last five years.”
The 22-year-old, who was among Kazmaier’s three finalists last year, is pursuing a master’s degree in civil engineering.
Colgate’s Danielle Serdachny and Northeastern forward Alina Mueller were also finalists for the award announced during the women’s Frozen Four.
The award was given to Patty Kazmaier, who played for Princeton from 1981-1986 and died of a blood disorder at the age of 28. The winner will be selected by a panel of 13 Division I women’s hockey coaches, the media and a member of USA Hockey.
