Over the past four seasons, MVNU has posted a 49-27-5 overall record (.636 winning percentage) and a 24-8-1 AMC mark (.742 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 5-5-1 overall and 3-3 in the AMC.

Nikki Bruscino, a forward from Strongsville, Ohio, has played in 78 matches over the past four years with 71 career starts. The former Strongsville High School star has recorded 10 goals and nine assists in her career including one goal and one assist while starting all 11 matches this season. During her sophomore season, she was named to the W.g. Grinders All-Tournament Team.

“Nikki does things with the soccer ball that I never see any other girls do at all,” said MVNU coach Daniel Seiffert. “She is always working on a new move that she plans to use in the next match to beat a defender one-on-one. I love the fact that while she is one of the smallest girls on our team she has the heart of a lion, the competitiveness of a bear, and the speed of a gazelle. She does not like to lose and she is always looking for ways to make herself better. I have known Nikki for the past four years and it has been a complete honor and a blessing to be able to work with her this year as her coach.”

Angie Misamore, a defender from Findlay, Ohio, has played in 79 matches over the past four years with 78 career starts. The former Findlay High School standout has recorded one goal and two assists in her career while being an anchor on the Lady Cougars’ back line where she leads the team by playing all 1043 minutes so far this season. Among her many honors, Misamore was named the AMC Freshman of the Year and an NCCAA Honorable Mention All-American in 2006 and she has been named to the AMC Second Team twice and the AMC First Team once. She was also an NAIA and NCCAA Scholar-Athlete last year and will be up for those honors again this year.

“In my opinion, Angie is the best raw defender we have on our team,” said Seiffert. “I have never once seen her get beat in a one-on-one situation. I do not know how she does it, but there has yet to be an attacker we have faced this season who has gotten the better of her. We always match her up against our opponent’s best players and she has always been successful. On the field, she is a quick, aggressive, and ferocious defender, but off the field she possesses a calm, quiet, and loving spirit. She is also the busiest girl on the team with clinicals, classes, soccer, and planning a December wedding, but she never complains and she does everything well. It has been an honor getting to know her this year.”

Erin Miller, a midfielder from Hilliard, Ohio, has played in 67 matches over the past four years with 57 starts. The former Grove City Christian High School product has registered 10 goals and 13 assists in her career including two assists while starting all 11 matches this year. She was named to the W.g. Grinders All-Tournament Team as a sophomore and was an AMC Second Team and an NCCAA East Region Team selection as a junior.

“Erin is a very solid midfielder with great vision of the field and even better distribution of the ball,” said Seiffert. “She has matured into a very strong leader on and off the field and all of the girls on the team and myself really look up to her and respect her. I know that her desire is to continue to grow and become a better player and a better teammate. After growing up playing soccer with her older brother, it truly has been a privilege to work with her and see her grow and mature into a fine young woman. I am blessed to know her as a player, leader, and friend, and I pray that God will continue to bless her.”

Mara Hughes, a defender from Pickerington, Ohio, has played in 71 matches with 69 starts during her four-year career at MVNU. The former Pickerington North High School standout has registered nine goals and three assists in her career and has been a key part of the success of the Lady Cougars’ back line. She has started all 11 matches this season as MVNU has posted five shutouts. Among her many honors, Hughes was named to the AMC First Team, the NCCAA East Region Co-Player of the Year, the NCCAA All-American First Team, and the NAIA Honorable Mention All-American Team as a junior. She was also an NAIA and NCCAA Scholar-Athlete last year and is up for those honors again this season.

“Mara is a tenacious defender who will not lose a single battle,” said Seiffert. “She will not back down, let up, put up, give up, or shy away from any battle on the field. Off the field, she loves to serve others and to serve the Lord. I love the way her eyes light up whenever she comes up with another service idea. She gets so excited when she comes up with new ways to tell the world about Jesus. She gives up her summers to work at camps for children with special needs and is always looking for ways to serve other people. I know that God has some awesome plans for her in the future and that she is going to continue to have a huge impact on others for Christ.”

The Lady Cougars will be back in action on Wednesday when the team travels to Shawnee State University for another AMC match that will begin at 4:00 p.m.