Tide Freshman Wins National Honor

Alabama Freshman goalkeeper Justine Bernier picked up two national honors this week in addition to being named the Southeastern Conference Defensive Player of the Week.

Alabama freshman Justin Bernier was honored by Soccer America as goalkeeper for National Team of the Week. The publication picks the top 11 soccer players from around the country each week.

She was also one of 16 players honored by Soccer Buzz Magazine on their weekly Elite Team of the Week. The publication choose Bernier as one of three goalkeepers throughout the country.

Each week over 5,000 athletes participate in Division 1 soccer. These two publications narrow that down to the best in the nation that particular week.

Bernier has been nothing short of spectacular since arriving at The Capstone this fall. The Ontario, Canada native is currently leading the SEC in saves with 77 and saves per game with an average of 7.70. Her 7.70 average is also ranks as the 16th best in the nation.

In her first week of SEC competition this past weekend she recorded 26 saves against Vanderbilt and Kentucky. She tallied 13 saves in a double overtime tie against the Commodores including two saves in overtime to preserve the tie.

She led the Tide past Kentucky for the first time since 1998 with her 13 saves Sunday afternoon.

Bernier has played over 900 minutes in the nets for the Tide this season, she currently has a record of 7-2-1. The Crimson Tide leads all SEC teams in saves per game percentage with an 89.53 percentage.