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Seven Lady Cougars Earn NAIA Region Soccer Honors
written by Dave Parsons, Sports Information Director

MOUNT VERNON, Ohio - Seven members of the Mount Vernon Nazarene University women’s soccer team were recognized when the NAIA Region IX Teams were announced this week.


Catherine Hess	Krysti Wilson


Allison Linak	Leanna Goss


Kristy Brandolini	Jessi Gates	Samantha Tomlinson

Catherine Hess, Krysti Wilson, Allison Linak, and Leanna Goss were each named to the 14-player NAIA Region IX First Team, while Kristy Brandolini, Jessi Gates, and Samantha Tomlinson were each an NAIA Region IX Honorable Mention pick.

Hess, a senior forward from Hillsboro, Ohio, led the Lady Cougars with 24 goals and a school-record 17 assists in 24 matches as she was named to the NAIA Region IX First Team for the second straight year. The former Hillsboro High School star closed out her career as MVNU’s career leader in goals (67), assists (52), and total points (186).

Wilson, a sophomore goalkeeper from Sunbury, Ohio, joined Hess on the NAIA Region IX First Team for the second straight season. The former Big Walnut High School product allowed just 27 goals in 23 matches this year for a 1.25 goals against average. She also posted seven shutouts and made a school-record 147 saves.

Linak, a sophomore midfielder from Westerville, Ohio, recorded six goals and 10 assists this year. The former Worthington Christian High School standout was also second on the team in minutes played with 2,028 as she started all 24 matches.

Goss, a junior defender from Westerville, Ohio, helped anchor the Lady Cougars’ defense that allowed just 30 goals in 24 matches on the season with 10 shutouts. The former Westerville South High School graduate started all 23 matches in which she played and averaged 88 minutes per match.

Brandolini, a freshman forward from Twinsburg, Ohio, was second on the team with 20 goals and 14 assists this year. The former Twinsburg High School star also started all 24 matches for MVNU.

Gates, a junior defender from Richmond, Ohio, started all 23 matches in which she played and was a key member of the Lady Cougars’ back line. The former Edison High School product also tallied one assist.

Tomlinson, a freshman defender from Tipp City, Ohio, started all 24 matches for MVNU and led the team with 2,032 minutes played. The former Tippecanoe High School standout also contributed four assists while playing solid defense on the back line.

The Lady Cougars finished the season with a 19-5-0 overall record. MVNU also went 7-0-0 in the American Mideast Conference South Division as the Lady Cougars captured their second straight AMC South Division title.