Linger, a forward from Bexley, Ohio, was a four-year varsity letterwinner and three-year starter at Bexley High School. As a senior, she scored 21 goals in 21 matches to lead the team in scoring. She was a three-time Mid-State League First Team selection, a two-time All-District First Team pick, and her team’s Most Valuable Player as a senior.

“Jessica is a great addition to the team,” said MVNU head coach Jonathan Meade, who has posted a 134-61-7 overall record in nine seasons with the Lady Cougars. “She brings a wealth of experience having played at Bexley High School, one of the premier high school soccer programs in the state of Ohio. She has had a stellar high school career, and I believe that she will be just as successful with the Lady Cougars. She has done very well at the forward position for Bexley and she will add to our scoring punch as well. She has versatility and I can see her helping us in a variety of ways next fall.”

“Jessica also has a great heart for the Lord and really wanted to attend a Christian institution that would encourage her to grow as well as giving her the opportunity to play soccer at a high level,” added Meade. “I think that MVNU will be a great fit for her.”

In addition to playing soccer at Bexley, Linger has played club soccer since 2001 including the 2008 season with SANTOS. She is also a four-year member of the Distinguished Honor Roll and a member of the Key Club. She has been active with the Eastside Grace Brethren Youth Group for four years and has been active in a service group with teens from her church for the past year.

“There are many reasons why I chose to attend MVNU, but the main reason was the great feel of the small campus and the Christian environment,” said Linger. “I am very excited to attend MVNU and play soccer for Coach Meade next year.”

MVNU finished the 2008 season with a 16-8-1 overall that included a 9-3-1 mark in the American Mideast Conference. The Lady Cougars have won at least a share of four conference titles in the past six years and have claimed two National Christian College Athletic Association national titles during that span (2003 and 2006).