David Jacobson, who capped his storybook first year by backstopping St. Norbert to a second consecutive NCAA title while becoming only the second freshman goalie to be named the NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player, has been named USCHO’s D-III Rookie of the Year. It’s another in a long line of honors the 5-foot-9 netminder from Janesville, Wis., earned with his play.
Jacobson started the season platooning in goal with Travis Bosch, a transfer from Bemidji State, but after coming into a game against Marian on Nov. 26 in relief, Jacobson seized the starting job for St. Norbert, and the Green Knights fortunes increased as Jacobson solidified his play.
Jacobson led the country in goals against average with a paltry 1.53, and finished tied for second in shutouts with Plymouth State’s Jack Astedt and Oswego’s Andrew Hare with four, behind only USCHO Player of the Year Jonathan La Rose of Amherst, who had five. Jacobson also had another eight games where he only allowed one goal. In fact, beginning with the first NCHA Tournament game against Wisconsin-Eau Claire on February 26, Jacobson allowed only four goals in six playoff games as St. Norbert successfully defended its NCAA title. Jacobson finished his season with a record of 19-2-3.
Among the honors that Jacobson claimed this season were:
• NCHA first team;
• NCHA All-Rookie team;
• Second team AHCA All-American; and
• NCAA Frozen Four All-Tournament team.
