The Mount Vernon Nazarene
University women’s soccer team has signed a
key recruit for the 2008 season as Lindsey
Shaffer has decided to further her education
and continue her soccer career at MVNU.
Shaffer,
a midfielder from New Cumberland, W.V.,
registered 11 goals and one assist in 18
matches as a senior at Oak Glen High School.
She was named to the Ohio Valley Athletic
Conference First Team, the East Liverpool
Review First Team, and the Wheeling
Intelligencer Honorable Mention Team for her
efforts. She also helped Oak Glen to the
OVAC Division II title in 2006.
"Lindsey is a great addition to the team
and I am looking forward to coaching her
next year,” said MVNU head coach Jonathan
Meade. "Her family has a strong tradition
and connection with MVNU, so it is
especially nice that she can continue that.
The team and I are very happy to know that
beyond getting a fine soccer player we will
be getting an excellent student and a high
character person.”
"Lindsey is a versatile player who will
definitely make us a better team next year,”
added Meade. "Her vision and poise on the
field were characteristics that stood out
while watching her play. I know that those
strengths will help her make the transition
to the collegiate game quickly.”
In addition to playing soccer, Shaffer
was a two-year letterwinner in cross country
at Oak Glen and finished 30th in the West
Virginia AA-A State Championship Qualifier
while also being selected as the East
Liverpool Review Runner of the Year. She was
a member of National Honor Society and Who’s
Who Among American High School Students, and
she was active in choir and STAND
Organization.
"I really wanted to attend a Christian
college because my relationship with God is
the most important thing to me,” said
Shaffer. "Mount Vernon’s atmosphere is so
different from my high school campus. I know
that I will grow and mature spiritually as I
continue my education. My family has also
influenced my decision to come to MVNU. Both
my parents are alums, and I have enjoyed
hearing their stories of how this college
influenced their lives. I also have family
that lives nearby, and I will enjoy having
the opportunity to see them more often.”
"I really enjoyed meeting Coach Meade and
the team on earlier visits,” Shaffer added.
"The players were very friendly and open. I
look forward to getting to know all of the
team and making new friends both on and off
the field. MVNU is special to me because my
dad played soccer there and I look forward
to continuing the tradition. It will be
fantastic to play soccer in a Christian
environment.”
"Another reason I was influenced to come
to MVNU was that I got the opportunity to
meet with Dr. (Joseph) Lechner during one of
my visits to the campus,” said Shaffer. "I
really liked what he had to show me in his
department. Academically, I think a
chemistry major will be both challenging and
enjoyable.”
MVNU posted a 15-7-1 overall record in
2007 and was ranked No. 25 in the final NAIA
national poll. The Lady Cougars also claimed
a share of their fourth American Mideast
Conference South Division title in the past
five years, and MVNU has won two National
Christian College Athletic Association
national titles (2003 and 2006).