Mijke Roelfsema Named College Soccer News Preseason First Team All-American
8/18/2021 3:10:00 PM | Women's Soccer
HOUSTON — One day after earning her first preseason honor, Rice defender Mijke Roelfsema was named a Preseason First Team All-American by College Soccer News, announced Wednesday afternoon by the organization.
She becomes the first Owl in school history to earn preseason All-America honors.
Roelfsema returns to the Owls, taking advantage of the extra season of eligibility granted by the NCAA due to the pandemic.
Last year, she became the program's first First Team All-American, starting all 18 games while being named a semifinalist for the MAC Hermann Trophy. The Netherlands native rarely stepped off the field, playing 97.4 percent of the team's total minutes on her way to becoming the Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year. She was also named the Defensive MVP of the C-USA Tournament as Rice did not allow a goal on its way to the league's championship.
Roelfsema anchored a Rice defense that yielded just 12.4 shots per game and recorded 11 shutouts. She also made an impact in the offensive zone, scoring three goals while adding a pair of assists as Rice had its best season in program history, advancing to the NCAA Sweet Sixteen.
The Owls open the 2021 season this Thursday, Aug. 19, when it hosts Sam Houston State at 7 p.m.
She becomes the first Owl in school history to earn preseason All-America honors.
Roelfsema returns to the Owls, taking advantage of the extra season of eligibility granted by the NCAA due to the pandemic.
Last year, she became the program's first First Team All-American, starting all 18 games while being named a semifinalist for the MAC Hermann Trophy. The Netherlands native rarely stepped off the field, playing 97.4 percent of the team's total minutes on her way to becoming the Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year. She was also named the Defensive MVP of the C-USA Tournament as Rice did not allow a goal on its way to the league's championship.
Roelfsema anchored a Rice defense that yielded just 12.4 shots per game and recorded 11 shutouts. She also made an impact in the offensive zone, scoring three goals while adding a pair of assists as Rice had its best season in program history, advancing to the NCAA Sweet Sixteen.
The Owls open the 2021 season this Thursday, Aug. 19, when it hosts Sam Houston State at 7 p.m.
Players Mentioned
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