WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ – The Manhattan Jaspers Women's Soccer team (0-1) fell in its season opening non-conference contest Wednesday evening to the Hawks from Monmouth University (1-0) by a final score of 1-0 at Hesse Field.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Nine different returners started for the Jaspers, including captains 2025 All-MAAC Third Team member Olivia McMaster, and career shutout record holder Molly Brunk.
- Two of the team's eight newcomers cracked the starting lineup, in defender Estelle Raspe from Stockholm, Sweden and forward Baileigh Johnson from Spring Lake Heights, NJ.
- Johnson took less than three minutes into her collegiate career to generate a shot on target, making the Hawk faithful hold their breath as Tallulah Miller made a quick save.
- Arancha Antunes and third captain Lauren Ahearn each clocked more shots in the offensive zone through the opening 15 minutes, with the former forcing another save from Miller.
- Settling into their attack, Monmouth's Ashley Lavrich controlled a ball off the crossbar and fired it toward the top left side past Brunk, sparking the day's scoring.
- Senior leadership continued the push from the Jaspers, putting two more shots on target over the next 15 minutes.
- Brunk kept the Hawk offense at bay with two stellar saves in the latter portion of the first half, including one just before the halftime horn sounded.
- Antunes registered her second shot on target in the second half of play, arguably the Jaspers' greatest chance in the 65th minute.
- Much of the latter half was played in the defensive end, with Brunk keeping Manhattan in the game with a variety of extra effort saves. This included back-to-back chances for the Hawks in the 73rd minute, with the Virginia native making two stops in less than 30 seconds.
- While McMaster and Ahearn each found chances in the final 70 seconds, Monmouth held on for their first win of the season.
STATS AND NOTES
- Senior midfielder Olivia McMaster and forward Lauren Ahearn tied for the most shots amongst the Jaspers with three.
- Senior midfielder Arancha Antunes led the way with the most shots on target, connecting on two.
- Freshman Logan Smith got off her first collegiate shot, seeing eight minutes of action.
- Senior goalkeeper Molly Brunk stopped seven chances from the Hawks, tying her second-best mark from the 2025 season.
- Junior defender Lily Bandel, Sophomore defender Eryn Primus, and freshman defender Estelle Raspe each clocked a full 90 minutes on the pitch.
NEXT UP
- Head Coach Brendan Lawler and the Jaspers will be back in action on Sunday (Aug. 16), when they travel back to New York to take on the Sharks from LIU in Brookville. Action is scheduled to get underway at 12 noon, and action can be viewed on NEC Front Row.
Follow Manhattan Women's Soccer on Instagram and X (@JaspersWSOC).
