SOUTH ORANGE, NJ—Senior Samantha Bersett of women's soccer was NJIT's recipient of the New Jersey Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (NJAIAW) Woman of the Year award.

Bersett was among the guests of honor at the annual NJAIAW Woman of the Year Luncheon held at Seton Hall University on February 7.

Following the luncheon, each winner was recognized at halftime of the Seton Hall women's basketball game against St. John's.

Award winners were chosen by their institution's athletics department based upon athletic excellence, academic success and citizenship/community service. More than 150 high-school and junior and senior college student-athletes earned the award in 2016.

Bersett, a four-year starter in goal for the Highlanders, ranks first in the Division I record books in— shutouts (11), second in most career matches played (66), career saves (363) and career wins (16).

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

Bersett had a record-setting 18-save performance in NJIT's 1-0 overtime loss to Lipscomb on October 24.  The 18 saves vs. Lipscomb were the third-highest total nationally this year in Division I, topped only by Romina Kunze, who saved 26 for Saint Francis (PA) vs. Pitt and by Lauren Cadel's 19 saves for Bowling Green against Valparaiso.

Enrolled in NJIT's Albert Dorman Honors College, Bersett will graduate in May with a bio medical engineering degree.