The Quadrangle

Issue date: 9/20/06 Section: Sports

The Lady Jaspers have started the season with an impressive 5-0 record.

The women's soccer team has started its season 5-0, including five shutouts, tying a record set in 1995 for both consecutive wins and consecutive wins to start a season. They are 11th out of 41 in the Northeast region, the first time Manhattan has ever broken into the top 15. Last year the team finished 6-12-2. "It's just a different mindset this year, we all want to work hard for our teammates because you know that every one of them is working hard for you," says Junior midfielder, Rachel Pannullo.
Alex Konneker, a Freshman midfielder, won MAAC Rookie of the Week honors for the week of Aug. 28 to Sept. 5, 2006. She scored the first two goals, in a 4-0 win over Albany. Konneker is a graduate of Newtown High School in Connecticut where she was captain of her soccer team, she was also an All-New England selection, and All-State Track and Field. She was the Female Athlete of the Year in 2005-06 for Newtown. Athleticism is not her only strong point; she was secretary of her class from sophomore to senior year and was in the National Honors Society. She has two goals and an assist on the season and is majoring in Education at Manhattan.
The team has shutout opponents in every game they have played, and scored 17 goals. Captain, Katie Kuntz has scored in every game with five goals on the year.
"Katie has been highly motivating and inspiring to me since I came to Manhattan College," Konneker said.
In a Preseason Poll done by the MAAC women's soccer head coaches, Manhattan was picked to finish seventh out of 10. As of September 10, they were in first place by two games in non-conference play. The MAAC Preseason team didn't feature any players from Manhattan. In only three weeks of awards and games, Konneker, Amanda Fischer, and Courtney McMahon won MAAC Rookie of the Week honors, Caitlin Trupiano won MAAC Defensive Player of the Week, and Chrissy Reina won MAAC Offensive Player of the Week.
The team has a dry season; no alcohol is to be consumed by any player on the team until the season is finished.
"It's a smart choice by our coaches, it keeps the team focused on why we are here, which is to play soccer, not to party. It seems to be paying off too, considering we are 5-0," said Junior defender, Courtney Hughes.
The team practices at Van Cortlandt Park, and its games are at Gaelic Park. Their next game is on the road Friday, Sept. 22, 2006 against rival, Fordham University.

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