Defensive Player of the Year!

Four Fast Qs — Taking a moment to celebrate fall athletes before moving on to winter team triumphs, we’re shining a light on a source of Brooks School pride: girls 1st soccer standout Maile Lung ’26, named Independent School League (ISL) Defender of the Year.

“I was never expecting this kind of award,” she said. “My goals consisted of playing to my best ability for my team’s sake and being a reliable player. …I just wanted a really successful season for my senior year.”

The recognition she’s raked in — All-NEPSAC (alongside Delaney Bertos ’27) and ISL First Team honors (alongside Jill Hamilton ’26) — was little surprise, though, to her devoted teammates, coaches and family, including her sister Ava, who cheered her on from the sideline of every matchup.

“I would like to thank my dad, for he and my sister were the ones who trained with me over the summer and knew that I could always be better,” she said. “He gave me so much advice that I will forever be grateful for. He really was the one who helped me get to where I am today.”

 “They all were so supportive and helped me more than they know,” said the boarding student from Westwood, Mass. “...They challenged me to be better and made me want to be a good teammate and someone they can look up to.”

After competing in girls' 1st basketball this winter, Lung will again focus on soccer at Tufts University in the fall. “Choosing Tufts felt right and … it is also a place that has a lot of meaning in my family, since my Dad attended Tufts for dental school,” said Lung. “I loved the idea of following his legacy and making him proud.”

1. What does it mean to you to be considered one of the very best players in all of the ISL? 

“It means everything, honestly. It makes me happy to know that I’ve been noticed and it gives me more confidence going into my first year at Tufts. I feel like I’ve worked hard every year leading up to this, so receiving this award makes everything worthwhile and makes my senior year all the more special."

2. What advice would you give to Brooks athletes who have a similar goal?

“My advice to other Brooks athletes would be to focus on the bigger picture. Knowing that I had a team I wanted to make proud and play my best for, the hard work came along with that and helped me achieve this award. It helped me push myself and never want to settle for the bare minimum.”

3. Looking back, what moments from your Brooks Athletics career stand out?  

“This past soccer season overall stuck out the most for me. Not only did I personally have a successful season, but our team had a great season, as well. I felt like this year we really connected and played some of the best games I’ve been a part of throughout my four years. It made me really happy to see people whose first sport isn’t soccer improve and grow as players. Everyone was also super involved and wanted to get better, which made this year a great year to end with for us seniors.”

4. What goals do you have as you head off to Tufts? 

“My biggest goal as of now is to make an impact on the team and have a successful season. Whether that means I play a lot of minutes or not, I want to make sure I am playing to my best ability and making a memorable season however I can.”

Learn more about athletics at Brooks on brooksschool.org.