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Lady Cougars Claim NCCAA East Region Soccer Honors
written by Dave Parsons, Sports Information Director

MOUNT VERNON, Ohio - Six members of the Mount Vernon Nazarene University women's soccer team along with their head coach were honored when the National Christian College Athletic Association East Region Team was announced on Monday.


Kristen Votapek	Catherine Hess

Cheryl Balogh	Lisa Hinman

Krysti Wilson	Sarah Helbert

Kristen Votapek, a sophomore forward from Amelia, Ohio, highlighted the list as she was named the NCCAA East Region Player of the Year. The former Amelia High School star has scored a school-record 28 goals and 63 total points this season and is second on the team with seven assists. Votapek has also become the program's career leader in goals (54) and total points (124).

Joining Votapek on the NCCAA East Region Team were Catherine Hess, Cheryl Balogh, Lisa Hinman, Krysti Wilson, and Sarah Helbert.

Hess, a junior forward from Hillsboro, Ohio, leads MVNU with a school-record 13 assists this year. The former All-Ohioan at Hillsboro High School has also scored a career-high 16 goals and a career-high 45 total points. Hess has also become the program's all-time leader in career assists (32) and ranks third in career goals (40) and total points (112).

Balogh, a senior defender from Lima, Ohio, has anchored the Lady Cougars' defense that has posted a school-record 14 shutouts and allowed just 10 goals. The former All-Ohioan at Elida High School has logged a team-high 1,873 minutes this season and registered one assist. Balogh also ranks fifth in school history with 15 career assists.

Hinman, a senior midfielder from Syracuse, New York, has recorded five goals and six assists for 16 total points. The former Faith Heritage High School All-State player ranks second in school history in goals (41) and assists (27) and third in total points (109).

Wilson, a freshman goalkeeper from Sunbury, Ohio, has posted a school-record 13 shutouts in goal while allowing only nine goals in 21 matches. The former Big Walnut High School standout has also compiled a school-record 0.44 goals against average and 102 saves.

Helbert, a junior defender from Avon Lake, Ohio, has also been a big part of MVNU's record-setting defense. The former Avon Lake High School star has scored two goals and averaged 83 minutes played per match.

Photo of Coach Meade Head coach Jonathan Meade was also named the NCCAA East Region Coach of the Year after guiding the Lady Cougars to a 17-3-1 overall record and the top seed at the NCCAA National Tournament that begins later this week in Kissimmee, Florida. MVNU will face Bryan (Tenn.) College in the first round of the eight-team event on Friday at 7:30 p.m.