"Lady Cougars Sign Former Bethel-Tate Soccer Player"

written by Dave Parsons, Sports Information Director

   The Mount Vernon Nazarene College women's soccer team has added another player to its roster for the 2002 season as the Lady Cougars have signed Holly Dyer.

   Dyer, a native of Bethel, Ohio, was a four-year varsity performer at Bethel-Tate High School. As a sophomore, she helped the team to its best season ever and a district runner-up finish. As a senior, she started in 18 of the team's 22 matches and recorded seven goals and six assists at the striker position.

   "I am very happy to have Holly commit to playing for us next year," said MVNC head coach Jonathan Meade. "She has had a successful high school career, and I look forward to having her help us in the midfield as well as at frontrunner. She is a smart player and plays within her abilities, and that will go a long way here at MVNC."

   "Another great quality about Holly is the fact that she is dedicated to her academics," Meade added. "It is always nice to know that you will be able to count on your athletes to get the job done in the classroom, and Holly has really excelled in that area. It was also nice to have her make it known that going to a Christian college was a major factor in her decision. That tells me that she cares about her personal walk with Christ and that she wants to be in an atmosphere that will help her grow as a Christian."

   In addition to her accomplishments on the soccer field, Dyer received the Southern Buckeye Conference Scholar-Athlete Award all four years for her achievement in the classroom. She was also a two-year member of National Honor Society and a three-year member of Student Government. She served as the Vice President of her junior class and the Secretary of her senior class.

   "I chose to attend MVNC because I attend a Nazarene church and my religious beliefs are important to me," said Dyer of her college choice. "I wanted to go to a Christian college. I plan to major in Biology with a focus on Pre-Med, and MVNC also has a good program in that area. I love to play soccer, so this is a bonus for me."

   MVNC finished the 2001 season with a 14-9 overall record and a 10-6 American Mideast Conference mark in just its second varsity season. The Lady Cougars also won the National Christian College Athletic Association East Region title and advanced to the NCCAA National Tournament in Kissimmee, Florida.