RIVERDALE, NY — Senior defender Julia Nicholas and sophomore goalkeeper Molly Brunk were named to the 2024 MAAC Women's Soccer All-Championship Team. The duo was instrumental in leading Manhattan past Siena in the quarterfinals round before falling to Fairfield in the semifinals last Thursday.
Nicholas scored the Jaspers' lone goal in a 4-1 defeat to Fairfield, ending her Jaspers career with 9 goals. Nicholas stepped up to the penalty spot in the 28th minute and scored to cut the Manhattan deficit to 2-1 before the Stags eventually got two goals back. Manhattan earned the penalty when Mayah Wheeler was taken down inside the box on an aggressive challenge from Sam Erickson. In her final career game, Nicholas led the Jaspers in shots with two attempts.
Brunk was rock solid in net for the Jaspers, doing everything she can while battling a potent Fairfield offense. Brunk finished her season with nine saves, tying a season-high total that she set at Siena on October 16th. In Manhattan's 1-0 win over Siena in the quarterfinals, Brunk came up huge with seven stops in leading Manhattan to their first playoff win since 2017.
"Molly and Julia had tremendous seasons leading us to playoffs and continued their impressive play into the semifinals," said head coach Brendan Lawler. "We are all very proud of their leadership and instrumental role in a great season."
Follow Manhattan Women's Soccer on Instagram (@jasperswsoc) and X (@JaspersWSOC).
