Ultimate package
ERIE — Describing Mani Brueckner as the total package may not be doing her justice.
Her career at Gannon University is more like the ultimate package.
The Mars graduate recently wrapped up her women’s soccer career with the Golden Knights as the program’s all-time leader in points and assists. Brueckner also owns Gannon’s single-season records of 18 goals and 44 points.
She wound up with at least 20 more assists than any player who has ever come through the program.
“What Mani’s done here has been remarkable,” Gannon coach Colin Peterson said. “Her numbers are mind-boggling.”
About the only Gannon soccer record Brueckner didn’t break was career goals. She scored 46. Knoch graduate Amanda Sharbaugh scored 51.
Brueckner was recently named the ECAC Division II Women’s Soccer Player of the Year for her exploits this season. She scored 18 goals, added eight assists and led her team to an 18-3 record and an appearance in the PSAC Championship Game.
The ECAC honor marked the seventh Player of the Year award of Brueckner’s career. She is a three-time PSAC Player of the Year and three-time Division II Atlantic Region Player of the Year.
It’s not like she snuck up on any of her opponents. Brueckner scored 10 goals and had 13 assists in her freshman season.
“Defenses have schemed to stop her, coming up with specific tactics the past few years,” Peterson said. “But Mani is a good student of the game. She recognizes things and counters them.
“She has terrific athleticism and is very good technically. She is the perfect storm that way.”
Brueckner admitted to having to “pick and choose” her scoring opportunities.
“I became pretty good at that,” she said. “Coach Peterson told me after my freshman year that I was going to be marked a lot more. It made me work harder.
“I don’t get all of those assists without my teammates. Teams started paying so much attention to me that they forgot about the other talented players we have on this team.”
Brueckner ended her collegiate career with 46 goals, 45 assists and 137 points.
Carrying a 3.7 grade point average as an engineering major, Brueckner is also a three-time Academic All-American.
“We knew she was going to draw a lot of attention every game,” Peterson said. “She was always being double-teamed, yet she would fight through it and either make a play to a teammate or take it herself.”
Brueckner was also named first team Division II All-American this year. She was third team as a freshman.
“I really wanted to make All-American this year,” she said. “The only school record I ever really targeted was career points because I knew that was attainable this season.
“I’m excited that the point that tied that record came on an assist. That was fitting.”
Peterson described Brueckner and Sharbaugh as “great offensively, but totally different” soccer players.
“Amanda was more athletic while Mani has terrific speed,” he said. “We could use more of either one. Players like them are tough to find.”
And putting an end to her soccer career is tough on Brueckner — so much so that she may not do it.
Returning to Gannon next year to pursue her masters, she plans on helping Peterson with the team.
“Even if I’m an official graduate assistant, I’ll hang around and support the girls any way I can,” she said.
“At first, entering this season, I was OK with this being my final year as a player. But I keep looking at a picture of myself scoring my last collegiate goal. The look of joy that’s on my face ... I’m just not ready to give that up.”
Brueckner is pursuing possible playing opportunities overseas.
“Our men’s coach has some connections in England,” she said. “I’m anxious to see who may be interested in me.”
In the meantime, she has plenty to look back on.
“I’m very proud to be able to achieve All-American as a player and as an athlete,” Brueckner said.