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Four Women's Soccer Seniors to Be Honored on Saturday
written by Dave Parsons, Sports Information Director

MOUNT VERNON, Ohio (10-22-2010) - The Mount Vernon Nazarene University women's soccer team will honor its four seniors on Saturday afternoon at halftime of the Lady Cougars' American Mideast Conference match with Walsh University that starts at 1 p.m. at Cougar Field.

Over the past four seasons, MVNU has posted a 51-25-4 overall record (.663 winning percentage). The Lady Cougars won a share of the American Mideast Conference South Division title in 2007 and the AMC Tournament title in 2009 to advance to the NAIA National Championship Opening Round for the first time in the program's history. This year, MVNU is currently 9-4 overall and 4-3 in the AMC.

Jamie Blair, a forward from Ashland, Ohio, has played in 78 matches over the past four years with 37 starts. The former Ashland High School product has recorded five goals and three assists in her career including two goals and one assist in 12 matches this year with nine starts. She has also posted a 3.10 grade point average in the classroom.

"Even though Jamie is one of the quietest girls you will ever meet, she is also one of the funniest and hardest-working players on this team,” said MVNU coach Daniel Seiffert. "She is a very mature young lady for her age and even though she is never the biggest player out there on the field she never backs down from a tackle, never shies away from a 50/50 ball, and I have even seen her knock quite a few people off the ball. She always has a team-first mentality, and it has been a pleasure getting to know her. I know that God has great things in store for her.”

Denče Stentz, a defender from Ashland, Ohio, has played in 72 matches during her career with 51 starts. Another former Ashland High School standout, she has been an anchor on the back line that has produced 41 shutouts over the past four seasons including nine this year. Stentz has posted a 3.66 grade point average and was an NAIA and NCCAA Scholar-Athlete last year.

"I have never met a more selfless player in my entire life than Denče,” said Seiffert. "She has had a terrific attitude no matter what the circumstances, and she is always striving to lead and support her team in every possible way. I am pretty sure that during her four years that there has never been an athlete that has spent more time in our athletic trainer's room. However, that goes to show how committed she is to her ‘sisters' on the team. I could not be more pleased with her selfless commitment to this team and how much she has cared for each and every player. I know that God is definitely going to continue to use her mightily down the road.”

Jessica Estep, a forward from Mansfield, Ohio, has started all 78 matches in which she has played during her four years at MVNU. The former Madison High School star ranks third in school history in both goals (60) and points (135) and ninth in assists (15). This season, she leads the team with eight goals including six game-winners. Among her many honors, Estep is a three-time All-Conference First Team selection, a three-time NCCAA All-American, and she was the AMC South Division Freshman of the Year and an NAIA Honorable Mention All-American in 2007.

"Jessica has been a terrific player over the past four years,” said Seiffert. "She has had a fantastic college career and is one of the most dynamic players to watch on the field. She can change the pace of a match in a matter of seconds, and that is something that any coach is blessed to have. Not only do her actions greatly impact her team on the field, but her qualities off the field have grown immensely as well. Her maturity and leadership skills have blossomed, and I could not be more proud of the way that she has been leading on this team. It has truly been an absolute joy having her on this team, and I know that God will greatly use her down the road and throughout her life.”

Jenessa Loewen, a goalkeeper from Gravenhurst, Ontario, has played in 79 career matches with 75 starts over the past four years. The former Gravenhurst High School standout has posted a school-record 32 career shutouts and a 0.94 goals against average that includes nine shutouts and a 0.46 goals against average in 13 matches this year. She was named to the AMC Second Team and the NCCAA East Region Team as a junior and has been the AMC Defensive Player of the Week four times this season. Loewen has also posted a 3.71 grade point average and was an NAIA and NCCAA Scholar-Athlete last year.

"Jenessa is a fantastic young lady with an amazing heart for the Lord and her teammates,” said Seiffert. "She possesses the desire to grow spiritually and help others grow in every way, shape, and form. And on top of that, she is also a good goalie as she recently set the career shutout record at MVNU. All in all, she is the total package and has been a terrific leader, role model, and mentor for all of the girls on the team. God will definitely continue to use her in a mighty way throughout her life's journey.”

After Saturday's match, the Lady Cougars will have three more matches left in the regular season including two more conference matches as they look to earn a berth in the AMC Tournament.

 

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