Brandolini, a senior forward from Twinsburg, Ohio, has led the Lady Cougars to a 59-25-4 overall record the past four years as MVNU won three American Mideast Conference South Division titles and one NCCAA national title. The former Twinsburg High School star recorded 14 goals and led the team with 16 assists in 23 matches this season as the Lady Cougars went 15-7-1 and finished the season ranked 25th in the final NAIA poll.

For her career, Brandolini ranks first in school history in goals (70), first in points (189), and second in assists (49). She was named to the NCCAA East Region Team all four years including being selected as the NCCAA East Region Player of the Year this season. She was also named to the AMC South Division First Team in each of her final three seasons after being named the AMC South Division Freshman of the Year in 2004. She has been named to the NAIA Region IX First Team in each of the past three years and is a two-time NAIA Honorable Mention All-American as well as being a member of the NCCAA All-American First Team last year. Both the NAIA and NCCAA All-American Teams for this season will be released in the coming days.

In addition to all of Brandolini’s honors and accomplishments on the soccer field, she has posted a 3.26 grade point average in the classroom as a marketing major. She was named to the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District IV Third Team in the College Division by the College Sports Information Directors of America this season.

Brandolini has also been involved in many different service activities during her time at MVNU. She has visited local nursing homes along with other members of the MVNU women’s soccer team. She is also currently a small group leader on campus. She spent three weeks in the summer doing outreach work in Chicago, and she also went on an MVNU-sponsored missions trip to Africa.

“I am very happy for Kristy,” said MVNU head coach Jonathan Meade. “She is very deserving of this honor. From day one, she has been a scoring threat on the field and a fun teammate to be around off the field. To accomplish what she has done statistically really shows her consistency to excellence over her four years here. Beyond the soccer field, she has also proven herself in the classroom. The thing that I appreciate most, though, is Kristy as a person. She is a very genuine individual in her faith and in the way she treats others. Furthermore, she enjoys laughing and bringing the fun side out in people. She has been a joy to coach and have on the team.”

“I truly respect Kristy’s Christian character,” Meade added. “She is the type of Christian who is seeking for the authentic and real relationship that we read about in God’s word. She knows the importance of building relationships to help lead those on the team and spends time with her teammates to better understand how to serve them. She has had an exceptional impact on the MVNU women’s soccer program and epitomizes the qualities that this award was designed to recognize.”

The Michelle Akers Award is presented annually by the NCCAA to a junior or senior women’s soccer player who excels in competition, skill, and service. The award is named for Michelle Akers, the former gold medalist and captain of the USA National women’s soccer team. Brandolini becomes the second Lady Cougar to receive this prestigious award as she joins former MVNU standout Cheryl Balogh, who received the honor in 2003.