"Six Cougars Earn AMC Honorable Mention in Soccer"

written by Dave Parsons, Sports Information Director

Preston Elifritz	Nels Radtke	Trevor Knowles

Jeremy Hilen	Matt Packard	T.J. Myers

   Six members of the Mount Vernon Nazarene College men's soccer team were recently honored when the American Mideast Conference awards were announced by the conference office.

   Preston Elifritz, Nels Radtke, Trevor Knowles, Jeremy Hilen, Matt Packard, and T.J. Myers each received Honorable Mention from the AMC coaches for their efforts during the 2001 season.

   Elifritz, a senior forward from Fletcher, Ohio, and Miami East High School, led the Cougars with 20 goals and nine assists as he wrapped up his stellar four-year career. Radtke, a senior midfielder from Worthington, Ohio, and Worthington Christian High School, also posted six assists in his final college season.

   Junior goalkeeper Trevor Knowles, a native of Gahanna, Ohio, and former standout at Westerville North High School, compiled a 1.07 goals against average as MVNC posted 10 shutouts and allowed just 22 goals in 22 matches. Sophomore defender Jeremy Hilen of West Chester, Ohio, and Lakota East High School also helped anchor the defense as well as recording one goal and eight assists.

   Matt Packard, a sophomore midfielder from Avon Lake, Ohio, and a former All-Ohioan at Avon Lake High School, registered eight goals and six assists, while freshman midfielder T.J. Myers of West Chester, Ohio, and Lakota East High School tallied seven goals and four assists in his first collegiate season.

   MVNC finished the year with a 14-6-2 overall record and an 11-4-1 conference mark. The Cougars also advanced to the NAIA Region IX Tournament semifinals for the second straight year.