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Cougars Land Hometown Soccer Standout
written by Dave Parsons, Sports Information Director

MOUNT VERNON, Ohio - The Mount Vernon Nazarene University men’s soccer team has landed a key recruit for the 2006 season with the addition of Brady Swanson, who has decided to further his education and continue his soccer career at MVNU.

Swanson, a defender from Mount Vernon, Ohio, is no stranger to the Cougars as his older brother, Casey, was a four-year member of the men’s soccer team and his father, Paul, is the women’s volleyball coach at MVNU. As a senior at Mount Vernon High School, Swanson anchored the Yellow Jackets’ defense that posted six shutouts and allowed just 16 goals in 18 matches while posting an 8-5-5 record. He also scored six goals. For his efforts, he was named to the Ohio Capital Conference First Team.

"It is great having a younger brother of a former player sign,” said MVNU head coach Paul Furey. "It tells you that you are doing something right. We are looking forward to Brady coming in next season and giving us some depth and competitive play.”

"Brady brings a lot of athleticism and is very strong in the air,” Furey

added. "He had a very good high school career that propelled him to a chance to play at the college level. He will come in and fit in very nicely not only with the soccer program but also into the campus community. It’s a great fit all around.”

In addition to playing soccer at Mount Vernon High School, Swanson was an All-OCC Second Team pick and a Central District Honorable Mention choice on the basketball team as a junior. He is also involved in National Honor Society and Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

"There were several reasons why I chose MVNU,” said Swanson of his college choice. "MVNU is a great place for me to grow academically and spiritually while I play soccer. Playing soccer at MVNU is a great opportunity and challenge that I look forward to.”

MVNU finished the 2005 campaign with an 11-5-3 overall record. The Cougars also went 4-3-1 in the highly competitive American Mideast Conference South Division to finish tied for fourth place.