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Lady Cougars to Honor Three Soccer Seniors on Saturday
written by Dave Parsons, Sports Information Director

MOUNT VERNON, Ohio (10-31-2008) - The Mount Vernon Nazarene University women’s soccer team will honor its three seniors on Saturday afternoon at halftime of the Lady Cougars’ American Mideast Conference match with Walsh University that starts at 1:00 p.m.

Over the past four seasons, MVNU has posted a 50-26-5 overall record (.648 winning percentage) and a 26-6-2 AMC mark (.794 winning percentage). The Lady Cougars have won two conference titles (2006 and 2007) and one National Christian College Athletic Association national title (2006). This year, MVNU is currently 10-6-1 overall and 8-3-1 in the AMC.

Erin Miller, a midfielder from Hilliard, Ohio, has played in 48 matches in her three-year career at MVNU with 38 starts since transferring in from The Ohio State University. The former Grove City Christian High School product has registered nine goals and 10 assists in her career including four goals and a team-high seven assists while starting all 17 matches this year.

"I am glad that Erin made the decision to transfer to MVNU after her freshman year at Ohio State,” said MVNU coach Jonathan Meade. "She has made such a big impact on this team. She fought through a tough first season and has blossomed into a very good player on the field and a wonderful teammate off the field. I have also enjoyed seeing her step up as a leader for our team this year.”

Kelly Sgambellone, a defender from Hilliard, Ohio, has played in 79 matches over the past four years with 66 career starts. The former Hilliard Darby High School standout is tied for eighth place in school history with 16 career goals to go along with 13 career assists as she has moved into ninth place in school history with 45 career points. Sgambellone, who has one goal and four assists this year, was named to the AMC South Division Second Team and the NAIA Region IX Second Team as a junior after earning NCCAA Honorable Mention All-American honors as a sophomore.

"It has been a real delight coaching Kelly over the past four years,” said Meade. "She has served the team with great heart and dedication. I respect how she has been faithful in her walk with the Lord and has always made it a point to keep God first. She has been a great teammate and has developed into the most dangerous outside back in the conference.”

Page Miller, a forward/midfielder from Bethel, Ohio, has played in all 81 matches for the team over the past four years with 75 career starts. The former Bethel-Tate High School star ranks sixth in school history with 26 career goals, fifth with 19 career assists, and sixth with 71 career points. Miller, who has five goals and two assists this season, was named to the AMC South Division First Team, the NAIA Region IX First Team, and the NAIA Honorable Mention All-American Team as a junior after making the AMC South Division Second Team as a sophomore.

"Page has been a joy to have on the team,” said Meade. "I think she will go down in Lady Cougar history as one of the toughest and strongest-tackling players ever. When she came into our program, she was known as a ball-winner at midfield. I am proud of how she has worked hard to expand her game and has now developed into one of the top players in the conference. She has also been a wonderful and caring teammate who has worked hard at helping lead our team.”

The Lady Cougars have already clinched a berth in the AMC Tournament that will start on November 8. The AMC regular-season champion will not play in the tournament as they will have already earned an automatic berth into the NAIA National Tournament Opening Round. The next six teams in the conference standings will be seeded No. 1 through No. 6. The No. 1 and No. 2 teams will have byes in the first round on November 8, while No. 4 will host No. 5 and No. 3 will host No. 6. MVNU is still in the running to be seeded as high as No. 3 with a win on Saturday and some help.

 

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