NEW HAVEN, Conn. – A highly successful season has earned the Yale women's soccer team a number of postseason honors from the Ivy League. Midfielder Aerial Chavarin, who helped the Bulldogs post six shutouts and yield only 14 goals in 16 games, was named the Defensive Player of the Year. She is only the second Bulldog to receive the honor, joining goalkeeper Elise Wilcox, who was selected in 2014.
 
Chavarin also earned first team recognition along with fellow midfielder Noelle Higginson. Defender Reina Bonta was named to the second team, while Ellery Winkler, Kristen Enriquez and Alyssa Fagel were honorable mention.
 
Chavarin, a senior who was a unanimous first team selection, has earned multiple recognition during her outstanding career. She was the Ivy League Rookie of the Year and a first team selection as a first year in 2016 and was named to the second team last year.
 
"Aerial has enjoyed a great four-year career at Yale, and I'm so happy for her that the Ivy League coaches recognized her for her defensive efforts this season," said Brendan Faherty, The Loring Family Head Coach of the Bulldogs. "Aerial was a constant thorn in opponent's buildup play by breaking up plays on the ground, winning tackles or picking off passes, winning balls in air, and applying pressure immediately when we lost the ball. She also was a major help on defensive restarts, while at the same time having the energy to join the attack and score some big goals for our team this year." 
 
Chavarin led the Bulldogs with eight goals and was second with 17 points.
 
Higginson earned first team recognition for the third straight year. She led the team with three game-winning goals and was third in goals (5) and points (13).
 
Bonta and Enriquez, both juniors, also were key components of the Yale defense. Both played every minute of every Ivy League game.
 
Fagel, a senior, was Yale's last line of defense in goal and enjoyed another outstanding season. She posted five shutouts, including three in Ivy play.
 
Winkler, a first year, made an immediate impact up front for the Bulldogs. She led the team with 20 points and was second with seven goals.
 
The Bulldogs finished with a 11-4-1 overall record, their highest winning percentage since 2005.