Manhattan placed both senior forward Sami Derrico and junior defender Mayah Wheeler on the All-MAAC Third Team for the 2024 season, as announced by the conference on Monday. For the first time since 2019, Manhattan garners an All-MAAC selection.
Derrico had a standout senior campaign which included 7 goals and 4 assists — the former being a team high and the latter being second best among Jasper players. Derrico had a penchant for showing brilliance in large doses, highlighted by her scoring three braces this season. She was on the mark with her offensive guile in a win-or-go-home quarterfinals match vs. Siena, resulting in a 1-0 win for the Jaspers on a late game-winner from Olivia McMaster.
Wheeler has been a rock for the Jaspers' defense in 2024, and has played a lead role in guiding the Jaspers to the fourth-best defensive unit in the MAAC (.84 goals allowed per game). Wheeler spearheaded a defensive unit that registered 10 shutouts this season which is the most for the program since 2015 (11).Â
Derrico and Wheeler will lead the Jaspers into the MAAC semifinals on Thursday when Manhattan squares off with No. 1 Fairfield at 7 PM. The action from Lessing Field will be broadcasted on ESPN+.
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