NEWARK, NJ—Samantha Bersett, who completed her four-year college soccer career in May, has been named a nominee for the 2016 NCAA Woman of the Year Award.

Bersett is one of 515 nominees nationally (229 – Division 1, 117 – Division II and 169 – Division III), marking the most in the history of the Woman of the Year program.

Now in its 26th year, the Woman of the Year award honors graduating female college athletes who have exhausted their eligibility and distinguished themselves throughout their collegiate careers in academics, athletics, service and leadership.

Bersett, from Wildwood, MO, enrolled in NJIT's Albert Dorman Honors College, graduated in May 2016 with a biomedical engineering degree.  She was named to the Dean's List for 4 semesters – CUM GPA: 3.266; 4.0 GPA in Spring 2016.

A four-year starter in goal for the Highlanders, Bersett was NJIT's recipient of the New Jersey Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (NJAIAW) Woman of the Year award.

After a stellar career at NJIT, Bersett ranks first in NJIT Division I records – shutouts (11), second in most career matches played (66), career saves (363) and career wins (16).

In her final season, Bersett started and played in every match (15) while, recording double-digit saves in three matches.

She capped her career with a record-setting 18-save performance in NJIT's 1-0 overtime loss to Lipscomb on October 24. The18 saves vs. Lipscomb were the third-highest total nationally this year in Division I.

A Student Ambassador, Bersett was one of three NJT student-athlete recognized at the 2016 ASUN Conference Spring Meetings, as she was named to the ASUN Winners for Life Team, for the fall season.