Ohio State women’s ice hockey defenseman, Sophie Jacques, was named the winner of the Patty Kasmaier Award, handed out annually to the best women’s ice hockey player.

Jacques is of course known for her stifling defense but has been a force on the offensive end as well, often jumping up in the play to provide an advantage on the attack for the nation’s No. 1 team. She has tallied 24 goals and 48 points on the year, the best in the country for a defenseman.

The Toronto native beat out the other finalists, Alina Mueller of Northeastern and Danielle Serdachny of Colgate. She is the first-ever winner of the award for Ohio State and is now trying to polish off some individual notoriety with a national championship on Monday night.

“I am extremely honored and humbled to receive the Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award,” Jaques said in a statement. “I am grateful to be a recipient of an award named after the incredible athlete, scholar, and human being, Patty Kazmaier. While this is an individual award, I have been supported by a whole team of people throughout this season and my career at Ohio State, and I owe this all to my coaches and teammates over the last five years. Receiving this award is something I never even could have imagined was possible.”

Head coach Nadine Muzerall has got to witness Jacques’ continue her improvement during her years in the scarlet and gray.

“I am overwhelmed with happiness for her and all the hard work she has put in over the years,” Ohio State head coach Nadine Muzerall said. “Seeing her develop as a player and as a human, I am just so glad that it is nationally recognized that she is the best player in the country. I think this demonstrates how coming to Ohio State can help young women develop and its hopefully just the start of what we can do here as Buckeyes.”

This is a massive achievement for an Ohio State athlete and one that should be celebrated probably more than it will be. Congratulations are more than in order and well deserved.

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Story originally appeared on Buckeye Wire