Women’s Soccer Hosts Kennesaw State Tonight for Conference Championship

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Jesse Mercer statue

MACON, Ga. – The Mercer women’s soccer team looks to claim its first-ever Atlantic Sun championship as they host in-state rival Kennesaw State on Wednesday, October 31. Kick-off is slated for 7 p.m. at Bear Field. The Owls and Bears currently sit atop the A-Sun leader board with identical 9-1 league records.

The Bears winning streak increased to nine games as they defeated Gardner-Webb, 2-0, and Campbell, 1-0, this past weekend. With the two wins added to their record, the 2007 Bears now hold the school record for wins in a season, surpassing the ten wins mounted by the 1992 Bears with their 11th win on Saturday.

Freshman defender Kacie Hudson remains the offensive catalyst for the Bears tallying a team-high five goals and two assists for 12 points. Hudson is the reigning A-Sun Defensive Player of the Week, receiving the award for the second time this season. Senior Catie Marshalek adds eight points on three goals and two assists, while freshman Lauren Johnson contributes seven points adding two goals and three assists. Sophomore goalkeeper Jean Worts remains strong between the pipes posting a 0.97 GAA, while recording 59 saves and notching six shutouts.

Kennesaw State (14-3, 9-1) dropped its first two matches of the season before rolling off 12 straight victories. The Owls lone conference loss occurred two weeks ago at ETSU. In its most recent action, Kennesaw defeated Campbell, 1-0, and Gardner-Webb, 6-2. The Owls have steamrolled their opponents this season, averaging a full-goal more per game than opponents. Current A-Sun Offensive Player of the Week, senior forward Annie Phillips, pilots Kennesaw’s offense with 15 goals and four assists for 34 points. Junior Caitlin Dingle completes the duo with 33 points on 14 goals and five assists.

“This is one of the biggest games in the history of Mercer women’s soccer,” stated Coach Grant Serafy. “I am proud of the players. They have earned this opportunity and I think this is a great thing for women’s soccer in the community.”

The winner of this match will claim the A-Sun regular season championship and earn the number one seed for the conference tournament next week. Both teams have clinched a first-round bye and will play on Thursday, November 8 at host Kennesaw State.