RIVERDALE, NY - As the final horn sounded for the Manhattan Jaspers Women's Soccer Team in their 1-0 victory against Marist this past Wednesday, it was a celebration for many reasons.
The Green and White tied the Red Foxes for fourth place in the MAAC standings with 16 points, but for Junior goalkeeper
Molly Brunk, it was extra meaningful.
"A bunch of hard work had paid off, it's exciting when you can do something for your school and break an important record," commented the Fairfax, Va. native.
That record is the career shutout record for Manhattan, as Brunk secured her 18th in the process of tallying four saves in the crucial win.
"Molly has been the foundation of this program from the second she stepped foot on campus. Shutouts are just as much team accomplishments as they are individual, but they start with her leadership and organization." said Head Coach
Brendan Lawler.
"We are all so grateful she's with us and are looking forward to her setting a record so high, it will be hard to touch." Lawler continued.
On how she found her way to the net above any of the other ten spots on the pitch, Brunk noted she was the only player on her youth teams that raised her hand when her coach asked who wanted to play goalie that day.
"It was travel soccer in third grade. My mom told me I'd hate it, she even made me play half the game on the field and the other half in net to put her theory to the test. I was never scared of the ball and making dives. I went to being a keeper full-time in sixth grade and I loved being the hero that saved the day, so I never looked back."
After only netting one clean sheet during her freshman year, that number ballooned to double digits in year two behind some newfound confidence.
"It was hard to play with confidence as a freshman, I never wanted to do the wrong thing or screw up. The team put so much faith in me no matter what though, and that helped me gain the self-confidence I needed for my sophomore year."
In terms of looking forward, the junior says she's ready to make this playoff push with the rest of her team.
"I wouldn't have been able to break this record without my teammates and my defense especially. They've kept shots to a minimal, breaking the record was great but it wouldn't be possible without them." she added.
"We're looking to get as many points as possible down the stretch, already treating every game like a playoff game. This year, we're determined to make it even further than last year and make history for the program."
The Jaspers continue their playoff hunt this Saturday, October 18 against the Stags from Fairfield University. The match can be viewed with a paid ESPN+ subscription for a 1 p.m. opening kick.
