Three members of the Mount Vernon Nazarene College women's soccer team will be participating in the final regular-season home match of their careers when the Lady Cougars host Malone College in an American Mideast Conference match at 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday.
Seniors Beca Scotland, Shelly Aldrich, and Amy Seiffert have led MVNC to an 11-5-0 overall record in the program's first year as a varsity sport. The Lady Cougars are also 7-2-0 in the American Mideast Conference and are competing for a spot in the NAIA Region IX Tournament.
Scotland, a forward from Hamilton, Ohio, has seen action in two matches this season off the bench. The former Lakota Local High School product has provided good senior leadership and has worked hard to make the other players on the team better through her efforts in practices and matches.
"Beca has been a good team player this year," said head coach Jonathan Meade. "I commend her for her willingness to work hard in her first year of playing soccer even though she has not seen a lot of time on the field. She has pushed others to be better by pushing herself. She is also one of the most conditioned players on the team."
Aldrich, a forward from Marion, Ohio, has made a huge impact for MVNC this season. After not playing soccer since her senior year at Marion Harding High School, Aldrich is among the AMC leaders in goals (14), assists (10), and total points (38). She has scored a goal or recorded an assist in all but one of the team's 16 matches this season. She has been the conference Player of the Week once, and she was featured in the October 9th issue of Sports Illustrated in the "Faces in the Crowd" section.
"Shelly has been an exciting player to watch and coach this year," said Meade. "Her will and determination to win and play hard not only elevates her game over others, but it also ignites her teammates around her to do the same. She has been a positive leader that will be solely missed."
Seiffert, a midfielder from Lewis Center, Ohio, has been a key member of the Lady Cougars' soccer program since its inception as a club sport last season. A two-year captain, the former standout at Olentangy High School has recorded five goals, five assists, and 15 total points this season. She also leads MVNC in minutes played by averaging just under 89 minutes per match. In addition to her accomplishments on the field, Seiffert has excelled in the classroom and has been nominated for the NAIA Academic All-American Team.
"Amy has been the backbone of the women's team since the beginning," said Meade. "She has been a coach's dream and a teammate's best friend. Her dedication to God, family, character, and the game of soccer is visible in her everyday words and actions. Her skills may be replaced on the field by another player, but her presence and impact on this team will not."
Scotland, Aldrich, and Seiffert will be honored at halftime of the match against the Lady Pioneers.
