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MVNU's Brandolini Sweeps Player of the Week Honors
written by Dave Parsons, Sports Information Director

Photo of Kristy Brandolini

MOUNT VERNON, Ohio - Kristy Brandolini, a member of the Mount Vernon Nazarene University women’s soccer team, has been selected as the American Mideast Conference, NAIA Region IX, National Christian College Athletic Association, and NAIA National Player of the Week for her performance during the week of August 29-September 4. She becomes just the second MVNU women’s soccer player to ever be selected as the NAIA National Player of the Week joining Catherine Hess, who earned the honor in 2004.

Brandolini, a sophomore forward from Twinsburg, Ohio, led the Lady Cougars to a 5-0 non-conference victory at Spring Arbor (Mich.) University, ranked 16th in the NAIA at the time, on September 3. After missing the team’s first two matches of the season, the former Twinsburg High School star had an immediate impact for MVNU as she came off the bench to score a career-high four goals in the upset victory. The four goals scored also tied the school record for goals in a match set twice previously by former Lady Cougars standout Kristen Votapek.

Despite having only played 25 career matches, Brandolini, who was the AMC South Division Freshman of the Year in 2004, already ranks fourth in school history in both career goals scored (24) and career points (62). She is also tied for seventh in career assists with 14.

MVNU (1-2-0) will return to action on Friday at 4:00 p.m. when the Lady Cougars will host Saint Xavier (Ill.) University, ranked 15th in the NAIA, in the first round of the W.g. Grinders Cougar Classic. The other first round match will feature Malone College versus 10th-ranked Houghton (N.Y.) College at 2:00 p.m.