Women’s soccer triumphs against Mount St. Mary’s JOEY JARZYNKA / COURTESY
Emmanouel Sofillas, Managing Editor
Women’s Soccer
The Manhattan University women’s soccer team (3-3-4, 2-2-0 MAAC) earned its second straight conference victory Saturday afternoon, shutting out Mount St. Mary’s (3-7-0, 1-4-0 MAAC) 2-0 at Gaelic Park. The Jaspers came out with energy from the opening whistle, earning an early corner kick and firing off five shots in an eight-minute stretch while keeping the Mountaineers pinned in their own half. Mount St. Mary’s had two early chances halted by offside calls, but otherwise struggled to break through against MU’s pressure.
The breakthrough came in the 68th minute when junior forward Lauren Ahearn connected on a cross from Amaya Hill and buried the eventual game-winner. Just minutes later, a video review gave Manhattan a penalty kick opportunity, but junior Arancha Antunes’ shot was saved, keeping the score at 1-0. The Jaspers didn’t wait long to respond, as junior midfielder Olivia McMaster capped off a career-best day by slotting home a goal set up by Hill and senior defender Mayah Wheeler, sealing the win with 20 minutes to play.
McMaster led the way with nine shots on the afternoon, while Ahearn made the most of her 39 minutes off the bench with the deciding goal. Hill logged two assists, Wheeler added another and freshman Josslyn Weissman chipped in with a helper in her 28 minutes on the pitch. Junior goalkeeper Molly Brunk made two saves to collect her second straight clean sheet.
After the match, head coach Brendan Lawler called it a “great team win from start to finish,” praising the group’s perseverance and focus, according to GoJaspers. Ahearn echoed that sentiment, saying the victory felt “absolutely amazing” and that back-to-back wins will give the team confidence moving forward.
Women’s Volleyball
The Manhattan University women’s volleyball team (2-7) defended its home court in dominant fashion on Saturday afternoon, sweeping Rhode Island (3-9) in straight sets, 25-18, 25-18, 25-15, inside Draddy Gymnasium. It marked the Jaspers’ first home match of 2025, and they made the most of it.
Women’s volleyball falls to Canisius in straight sets. BLAKE DAHLIN / COURTESY
Manhattan set the tone early, jumping out to a comfortable lead with the help of sophomore Fiona Van Dyke, who tallied three kills within the first dozen points. Rhode Island cut the deficit to two midway through the set, but the Jaspers regrouped and strung together a run fueled by freshman Emma Francesconi’s power at the net. Junior setter Emilia Kuzniar then delivered two aces during a five-point surge to close out the first set in convincing fashion.
The second frame was more tightly contested, with the Rams pulling even at 3-3. The Jaspers quickly regained momentum, rattling off six of the next eight points to create separation. Rhode Island fought back and even pulled ahead briefly, but the Jaspers responded late, sparked by freshman middle blocker Helenn Montilla. Manhattan sealed the set with a seven-point run to take a commanding two-set lead.
In the third, Rhode Island came out swinging, but the Jaspers’ response was tremendous. An 11-2 run opened up an eight-point cushion that the Rams never recovered from, as Manhattan cruised to a straight-set victory.
Francesconi led the charge with her first collegiate double-double, finishing with 14 kills and 10 digs, along with a block. Van Dyke chipped in 12 kills, seven digs and two aces, while Kuzniar added five service aces and a team-high 17 assists. Sophomore setter Hunter Kwan contributed 12 assists, and Montilla was nearly flawless at the net with four kills on five attempts, plus two blocks.