WALTHAM, Mass. -- Juniors Lacey Mbugua of Brockton, Massachusetts, from the women’s soccer team and Kenshin Murakawa of Osaka, Japan, and the men’s soccer team have been named the Brandeis University Athletes of the Week for the week ending September 8. The Brandeis Athlete of the Week program is presented by The Chateau Restaurant and Jake n JOES Sports Grille.
In a 2-0-1 week last week, Mbugua was involved in both of the Judges’ game-winning goals. After they played to a scoreless draw against Babson on Sept. 2, Brandeis defeated Rhode Island College, 2-0, and Wellesley, 2-1, over the weekend. Mbugua assisted the game-winner against RIC in the 43rd minute, then broke a 1-1 deadlock in the 82nd minute against Wellesley. The goal was the first since 2023 for Mbugua, who missed last season with an injury.
The Judges improved 3-0-1 overall this season and entered the United Soccer Coaches Division III National Poll at #19. They meet 2-0-1 Clark University at home on Wednesday, September 10th at 7 p.m. before hosting 6th-ranked MIT on Saturday, September 13th at 1 p.m.
Murakawa helped the 3-0 Judges defeat Regis College, 3-0, over the weekend in their only game of the week. In a contest that was started on Saturday afternoon before getting suspended after 37 minutes due to lightning and thunderstorms, Murakawa scored his first collegiate goal about five minutes after the restart, a long strike from 30 yards out. A defensive midfielder, Murakawa helped limit Regis to just six shots total, only two of which were on goal. With the win, Brandeis is off to its best start since 2016, when they made the first of back-to-back trips to the NCAA Division III tournament Final Four.
Brandeis men’s soccer improved to 4-0 with a 2-1 at Bridgewater State University on Tuesday. They are at MIT on Saturday at 12 noon as they look to improve to 5-0 for the first time since 2014.
This is the tenth year that the Brandeis Athlete of the Week program has been presented by The Chateau Restaurant Group. The Athlete of the Year Program highlights top Brandeis student-athletes who have had an outstanding athletic achievement in the week prior. Each selected student-athlete will be featured on the Brandeis athletics homepage and inside the Chateau Waltham and Jake n JOES
Owned and operated by the Nocera Family, the Chateau Restaurant of Waltham opened in 1933 and set the standard for providing the tradition of Italian family dining, friendly service, and quality food at reasonable prices for its customers. Located on 195 School Street, with 900 seats, the Chateau is always ready to accommodate large parties.
The Nocera Family consists of 6 brothers who have always had a passion for playing sports. In 2010, the Nocera Family launched a new concept, Jake n JOES Sports Grille. Jake n JOES Waltham opened in 2014 and is the best place to watch a game and enjoy quality food.
"Brandeis student-athletes are fantastic role models in our community,” says Chateau President Joe Nocera, “They exemplify the ideals of excellence and commitment both on and off the playing field. The Chateau Waltham and Jake n JOES Waltham are proud to partner with Brandeis Athletics to continue to enhance a positive focus within the Waltham Community."
Mbugua is a 2023 graduate of Worcester Academy. For more information on Brandeis women’s soccer, visit their web page at https:/brandeisjudges.com/sports/womens-soccer
Murakawa is a 2023 graduate of Lexington (Mass.) High School. For more information on Brandeis men’s soccer visit their web page at https://brandeisjudges.com/sports/mens-soccer.
For more information on Brandeis athletics, visit our web page at www.brandeisjudges.com or follow us on social media on X, Instagram and Facebook @BrandeisJudges.
