Student-Athletes of the Week (8.27.12)
MAAC Sports
Franklin Castellanos, Iona College
Jr., MF, 5-6, 150, Dover, N.J.
With the men's soccer season just underway, Iona midfielder Franklin Castellanos earned many preseason accolades as the Gaels look to make a run at the MAAC Championship in 2012. Recently named a Preseason All-American by College Soccer News, the junior was also named to TopDrawerSoccer.com's 2012 preseason Top 100 Upperclassmen, ranking 57th. A M.A.C. Herman Watch List and MAAC Co-Preseason Player of the Year selection, Castellanos is coming off a year in which he led the nation in assists with 14 and an assists per game average 0.74.
Jenn Nichols, Rider University
Sr., GK, 5-5, Stratham, N.H./Exeter
A veteran of 33 games, Jenn Nichols began her first season as the Rider starting goalkeeper this year with three consecutive shutouts to lead Rider to a 3-0 record and to earn MAAC Defensive Player of the Week honors. She played the second half of 13 games last season and was fifth in the MAAC in goals against average. Nichols, who made seven starts as a rookie but none the last two years, shutout NJIT in double overtime in the 2012 season opener for her first career shutout. She came back to shutout Howard and tied her career-high with eight saves in a recent shutout of Mount Saint Mary's. Nichols improved her career record to 7-4-3, and her 15 saves this season gives her 88 for her career. An advertising major, Nichols is a two-time member of the MAAC All-Academic team.