Carleton Ravens forward Jacqueline Urban has received the Kathy Shields Award as the 2023 U SPORTS rookie of the year.
From Ancaster, Ontario, Carleton rookie Jacqueline Urban finished the 2022-23 season second in the OUA in rebounds with 238 breaking the Ravens' single-season record previously held by alumna Heather Lindsay. Urban’s powerful first season included an 18-rebound performance against Brock on December 2. Urban was third among Ravens with 594 minutes played while being second in team scoring with 219 points – second most in a single season by a Ravens rookie.
After playing for Team Ontario at the 2022 Canada Summer Games, Urban immediately impacted coach Dani Sinclair's Ravens. “For a freshman, there were countless times this year where she just understood when we needed a momentum shift and just willed our team to win,” said Sinclair. Earning the start in 21 of 22 games, Urban quickly established herself as a critical piece to a young Ravens team. Playing key minutes alongside veterans Kali Pocrnic and Emma Kiesekamp, Urban fit right into the Ravens' rotation playing 27.0 minutes per game while shooting just under 40% for the season.
During the 2022-23 regular season, the psychology student earned two Ravens' Athlete of the Week recognitions.
Urban and the top-seeded Ravens open the 2023 Protocase U SPORTS Women’s Final 8, presented by Bell on Thursday night when they face the host Cape Breton Capers.
