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MOUNT VERNON, Ohio - Four members of the Mount Vernon Nazarene University women's soccer team will be honored on Saturday at halftime of the Lady Cougars' match against Walsh University.

Seniors Stephanie White, Bethany Seiffert, Krista Reynolds, and Kelly Evans will play the final regular-season home match of their careers against the Lady Cavaliers on Saturday. These four seniors have been part of the foundation that has built the MVNU women's soccer program from a club team in 1999 to the successful program that it is today. The Lady Cougars have compiled a 36-22-1 overall record (.619 winning percentage) during that span and qualified for the American Mideast Conference playoffs twice. MVNU also advanced to the National Christian College Athletic Association National Tournament last year for the first time.

White, a midfielder from Warren, Ohio, was one of the original members of the club team in 1999. She has played in 28 matches during her two other seasons on the varsity squad and recorded two goals and one assist. This season, White has played in all 17 matches and tallied one goal and one assist.

"I am glad that Stephanie decided to come back out and play her senior season," said MVNU head coach Jonathan Meade of White who did not play during her junior season. "She knew that she was expected to be a reserve player this year, but her consistent effort, physical play, and positive attitude have pushed her into a starting spot. She is a very compassionate person, and that is a direct result of her strong relationship with Christ."

Seiffert, a midfielder from Lewis Center, Ohio, is wrapping up her second season for the Lady Cougars after transferring from Indiana Wesleyan University. She has started all 39 matches in which she has played during her career at MVNU and recorded 15 goals and 13 assists - which rank fifth in school history in both categories. She became the program's first-ever NAIA Honorable Mention All-American last season, and she has recorded six goals and five assists while starting 16 matches this season.

"When Bethany decided to come to MVNU, I knew that our team would be getting a player who would be an integral part of taking us to the next level," said Meade. "I have seen very few players with her intensity and desire to win. Her individual defensive ability is unmatched, and she is the most dominating player in the air that I have seen at this level. She is respected on and off the field, and I know that this respect is founded on the fact that the light of Christ shines brightly in her life."

Reynolds, a midfielder from Gahanna, Ohio, was another original member of the club team and has now played in 57 career varsity matches with 56 starts. During her career, Reynolds has scored four goals and registered nine assists. This season, she has recorded one assist while starting 16 matches. She has also been nominated for both the NAIA and NCCAA All-America Scholar-Athlete Teams this season.

"Krista has been a great role model in the classroom and an inspiration on the soccer field," said Meade. "On more than one occasion, other players have commented that they work harder because of what they see her doing. God has blessed her with the gift of diligence and she has multiplied it. She has made the past four years very special."

Evans, a midfielder from Sunbury, Ohio, was the other remaining original member of the club team. She has also started in 54 career varsity matches and ranks sixth in career goals with 11 and fifth in career assists with 13. This season, she has started all 17 matches and recorded three goals and five assists. She has also been nominated for both the NAIA and NCCAA All-America Scholar-Athlete Teams.

"Kelly was my very first recruit to commit to MVNU," said Meade. "She has been a joy to coach. She has proven to be a leader on this team from her play on the field to her high standards as a student and more importantly her devotion to Christ. She has been a friend to all and has always carried herself with integrity, class, and a Christ-like attitude. She has been here since the beginning of the program and all the ups and downs that come from starting a new team. She will be sorely missed."