LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. - At the Continental Athletic Conference championship game, Bellevue University senior Jenn Amaro took the fifth spot in line for the tie-breaker penalty shootout after the 110-minute game that included an overtime. Amaro, named 2022 CAC Goalkeeper of the Year, stepped up and took the final shot. She found the back of the net and instantly fell to her knees in joy as the rest of the Bruins team stormed the field.
“This is the first time taking a penalty shot in all my life, so it's incredible for me- I can't even describe what I feel at this moment… I’m really happy,” said Amaro minutes after taking the game winning penalty kick.
The nail-biter championship game held a fair matchup between the Bellevue University Bruins who went 5-0 in conference play this year and the Georgia Gwinnett College Grizzlies, previous CAC five-year reigning champions.
The Bruins were out for revenge as this was not the two teams first match up. Just last year the Bruins and the Grizzlies battled it out in the 2021 CAC title game in which the Grizzlies won with a score of 3-0. But this was without Amaro.
In 2021 the Bruins went 8-11 overall, but this year improved and went 13-3-1, winning all five of its matches against conference play, all by shutout.
“We had a fantastic keeper last year who ended up going pro… so trying to replace that was scary but then we brought in Jenn,” said head coach Tom White.
White, who is in his third season coaching the Bruins Women's Soccer team, led this team to have their best overall play since 2014. He credits all the success to the players’ chemistry and recruiting the right people like Amaro.
Amaro would agree with team chemistry. She is from Mexico City, Mexico making her one out of nine players who are from foregin countries on the team. For her this team has helped her adapt to the new culture.
“It's really different but I am learning from everyone. It [referring to the team] has been like a family since I’ve arrived… everyone treats me like this is my home too.”
As of November 10th, the CAC announced its special awards and all-conference teams.
Amaro was announced as Goalkeeper of the year after her outstanding regular season. She played every minute for the Bruins posting .60 goals against average, nine shutouts and .869 save percentage.
“This award isn’t just me, it's the whole team,” claims Amaro after the championship game.
Along with Amaro, defender Ximena Jauregui won CAC Player of the Year and White won Coach of the Year. And to add on to the team's success, the Bruins swept the field with eight all-conference selections across the first and second teams. The Georgia Gwinnett Grizzlies had six selections.
After Amaro’s performance in the game, the high intensity shootout with her in the net, and her PK to win it all, she ends her senior year with a championship win under her belt. But she has dreams beyond the college level.
“I want to play professional soccer,” said Amaro. “I want to continue doing what I love.”
The year doesn’t end yet for both the competitors. The Grizzlies and the Bruins both received the CAC's automatic bids to the Opening Round of the 2022 NAIA national tournament and are waiting for the announcement of match ups and further information.
November 12