Lady Petrels Suddenly on a Roll
The Oglethorpe University women's soccer team, after suffering their worst season in school history in 2007, has continued to bounce all the way back under the guidance of new head coach Alan Woods. On Thursday, the Petrels downed Piedmont College 5-1, scoring on an array of exciting plays.

The Petrels jumped on the Lions early when freshman Alexandria Vassell fed sophomore Mary-Beth Horton for a goal in the game's 20th minute. After holding a 1-0 halftime lead and gaining instruction from Coach Woods, the Petrels came out and found the back of the net four times in the second half. The four second half goals equals the number of goals Oglethorpe tallied all last season.
 
Chelsea Baron logged in to the scorebook after taking a perfect pass from senior Alix Stalnaker and pounded it into the goal in the 52nd minute. Minutes later, two-sport star Shannon Dougherty took a feed from Baron and cracked a wicked shot from 30 yards out that angled across the goal and nestled in the side-netting in the game's 55th minute.
 
Alix Stalnaker scored on an unassisted individual play in the 76th minute and Mary-Beth Horton scored the game's last goal on a pretty feed from senior Kira Carr.
 
Now 2-0 on the young season, the Petrels will gear up to face Spelman next Tuesday on Salamone Field at 5:00 p.m.

Women Top Scotties in Season Debut
The Oglethorpe University women's soccer team began new head coach Alan Woods' career on a high note by defeating Agnes Scott on Friday afternoon, 4-1. The Petrels not only won their first game under their new coach, they also matched last seasons goal total in just one game.

After falling behind 1-0, the Petrels stormed back to score four consecutive goals to earn the victory. Junior Bonnie Morscheiser lobbed a forty yard bomb over the Scotties keeper for Oglethorpe's first goal in the game's 5th minute. Fellow junior Ryanne Arola followed with two goals of her own, the first on a perfectly executed corner delivered by freshman Sasha Alonzo and the second on an unassisted 35 yard bomb of her own.
 
The Petrels finished the scoring with Arola feeding two-sport star sophomore Shannon Dougherty in the game's 59th minute.
 
At 1-0, Oglethorpe will get ready to square off with Piedmont College next Thursday at 5:00 p.m. on Salamone Field.

Alan Woods Named Women's Soccer Head Coach
In a press conference held earlier this month in the Traditions area of the Dorough Field House, Alan Woods was named the new women's soccer head coach for Oglethorpe University.

Woods brings a wealth of playing and coaching experience to the position and athletics director Jay Gardiner characterized Woods' hiring as "a big step in the right direction" for the women's soccer program.
 
Woods played Division I soccer for both the University of Notre Dame and Clemson University and, while competing for each school, was named an All-Conference performer. He was the 10th overall selection in the 2000 MLS draft and logged seven years of pro playing experience for pro squads such as the Colorado Rapids and the Charleston Battery. He also competed locally for the Atlanta Silverbacks as the team captain.
 
Additionally, Woods managed to hone his coaching skills with stints at Nichols College, Cape Henry High School and the Clemson Soccer Academy just to name a few.
 
Currently, Coach Woods is scouring the southeast in recruiting efforts to build around a talented young nucleus and returning All-SCAC goalkeeping performer, Sarah Nania.

Jeffers, Nania Grab Postseason Honors
Two Oglethorpe University women's soccer players, senior Akele Jeffers and freshman Sarah Nania, were named SCAC All-Conference performers today as the votes became final.

Jeffers, a senior from Toronto, Canada, led the Petrels this season in both goals scored and assists to earn All-SCAC Second Team honors with 10 total votes received.
 
Nania, a freshman from Richmond, Virginia, led the entire confernce this year in saves by stopping an astonishing 104 shots this season. Additionally, Sarah was second overall in confernce in the saves per game category with a 7.36 average. For her efforts, Nania collected 4 votes to land on the All-SCAC Third Team.

Women Blanked by DePauw
The Oglethorpe University women's soccer team lost to DePauw University on Salamone Field Friday afternoon, 4-0. The Tigers managed four second half goals after the game had been deadlocked 0-0 at the half.

The Petrels are back in action this Sunday afternoon when they square off with Centre at noon on Salamone Field.

Oglethorpe Celebrates Youth Soccer Month this Sunday
In coordination with the U.S. Youth Soccer Association, the Oglethorpe University men's and women's soccer teams will be doing their parts this Sunday to help celebrate the 5th annual national Youth Soccer Month.

Prior to the men's and women's home contests against cross-town rival Emory on Salamone Field this Sunday, Oglethorpe head coach Jon Akin will be coaching a youth clinic for soccer enthusiasts from all over the state. Following the clinic, pom-poms will be handed out and the crowd will be encouraged to cheer the Stormy Petrels on against Emory.

The U.S. Youth Soccer Association recognizes the impact and importance of the sport of soccer, the number one youth sport in the U.S., plays in the day-to-day lives of America’s families. Come support the sport of soccer as Oglethorpe embraces the U.S. Soccer Associations four key tenets: fun, family, fitness and friendship.

Soccer Match Versus Brenau Postponed
Inclement weather forced the postponement of today's women's soccer match featuring Oglethorpe versus Brenau.

Shorthanded Women Fall to Reinhardt
Forced to play with only eleven healthy players, the Oglethorpe University women's soccer team fell to Reinhardt College on Friday night, 7-1.

The Petrels earned their only goal in the game's 85th minute as freshman Mary Beth Horton took a feed from sophomore Bonnie Morschieser and found the back of the net.
 
Now 0-2 on the young season, the Petrels will look to crack the win column this Tuesday on Salamone Field when they square off with Brenau.

Women's Soccer Falls to Agnes Scott in Opener
The Oglethorpe University women's soccer team lost a hard fought contest at Agnes Scott on Friday afternoon before falling 2-1.

The two teams were knotted 1-1 at halftime after Oglethorpe freshman Erin Summerlin took a skilled feed from junior Akele Jeffers to level the score at one-all.

Despite giving up the go-ahead goal early in the second stanza, another freshman, Mary Beth Horton, nearly equalized with a cross that carommed off the post. Junior Julie Vaughan almost tied the score again in the games 85th minute but her effort was denied.

The Petrels will look to level their record at their home opener next Friday at 7 p.m. on Salamone Field versus Reinhardt.

Soccer Banquet Yields Post-Season Honorees
Oglethorpe University soccer coach Jon Akin announced post-season award winners for both the men's and women's teams at a banquet on April 21st.

For the women's team, freshman Bonnie Morscheiser from Orlando, Florida was named the team's Most Valuable Offensive Player. In only her first season, Bonnie lit up the SCAC with 9 goals scored (5th in conference) and 5 assists (9th overall) for a team-high 17 points (3rd overall in conference).
 
Sophomore Kira Carr of Roswell, Georgia earned Most Valuable Defensive Player honors by doggedly patrolling the midfield for Oglethorpe all season long and consistently making outstanding stops on players pressing forward against the Petrels.
 
Another freshman sensation, Ryanne Arola of Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, was given the Stormy Petrel Award for her outstanding day-to-day approach to the game. In just her first season, Ryanne posted 7 goals (2nd on team) and 3 assists (3rd on team) for a stout first-year total of 10 points (2nd on team).
 
The women's team said goodbye to graduating senior and SCAC record holder for most goals in a game, Stephanie Chapman of Kennesaw, Georgia.
 
For the men's team, Danner Marsden, a freshman from Atlanta, was named Most Valuable Offensive Player after turning in one of the finest first-year performances in Oglethorpe history. Danner tallied a stunning 17 goals (1st in conference) and 6 assists (9th in conference) for a 40 point season that tied him for second overall in the conference.
 
Jonathan McConnell, a junior from Richmond Hill, Georgia, grabbed Most Valuable Defensive Player honors after turning in yet another stellar season from the midfield position. Jonathan scored 6 goals and dished 3 assists but was even more valuable to the team as a tenacious defensive stopper.
 
Jansen Lawrence, a freshman from Roswell, Georgia, was bestowed the Stormy Petrel Award after being one of coach Akin's most reliable everyday players who gave 100% effort in not only his game minutes, but practice minutes as well.
 
The men's team bid farewell to the following outstanding seniors:

two time All-SCAC and team captain defender Chris Freidenstein (Memphis Futbol Club); Oglethorpe record holder in assists in a season and career assists Josh Rosendahl (AFC Lightning); SCAC record holder (points in a game/ goals in a game)  forward Zach Atkinson (Augusta Arsenal); two-time All-SCAC defender Nick Mosley (United Quest);  Oglethorpe record-holder (career matches played) defender Anthony Thompson (United Quest); and captain and midfielder Erik Horne(LaFranaire Soccer Club).

 

Associate Head Coach Mike Morgan Resigns
Oglethorpe University women's soccer associate head coach Mike Morgan has resigned his position to pursue other opportunities.

An assistant in 2005 before assuming the primary head coaching duties for the 2006 season, Morgan helped guide the program to its most victories in a two year span in the SCAC.
 
Drawing recruits from Florida, Michigan and North Carolina, Morgan leaves behind a young and talented group of soccer players that are prepared to take the next step towards the conference's elite.
 
A former European soccer star in the 1970's from Wales, Morgan and his affable style will be missed by the entire Oglethorpe athletic department that wishes him well in his other pursuits.
 
Oglethorpe University will announce the new appointment to women's soccer associate head coach later this month.

Young Women's Soccer Team Looks Toward Future
After a season in which the Oglethorpe women's soccer team finished with a school-record 7-10-1 mark, they look ahead to an even brighter future with a young team. The team graduates only one player this year off a roster that had only three upperclassmen.

The underclassmen provided a great deal of the punch on this squad, as well. Freshman Bonnie Morscheiser, who recently garnered second-team All-SCAC honors and finished second in the conference's Newcomer of the Year voting, finished the year with a team-high 23 points, tallying a team-high nine goals and tying for the team high in assists with five. Her co-assists leader was sophomore Akele Jeffers, who also finshed the year with nine points, including two goals. Rounding out the underclassmen team leaders, freshman Ryanne Arola finished second on the team in points and goals, racking up 17 points, with seven goals and three assists.
 
As the team looks forward to next year they can rest assured that they have a strong foundation of young players that will be with them for several years to come.

Freshman Morscheiser Named 2nd Team All-SCAC
In an exclusive voting by the head women's soccer coaches in the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference, Oglethorpe University freshman midfielder Bonnie Morscheiser of Orlando, Florida was named to the 2006 All-SCAC Women's Soccer Second Team.

Morscheiser received nine votes overall and narrowly missed being placed on the First Team (by 3 votes) as well as winning the SCAC Newcomer-of-the-Year Award (by 2 votes).
 
On the season, Morscheiser recorded nine goals and five assists for a total of 23 points. Among those nine goals scored, three proved to be game-winners for the Petrels.
 
"We are extremely proud of Bonnie," said head coach Mike Morgan, adding, "her hard work and tenacity gives (assistant coach) Gerry and I a lot to look forward to in the coming seasons."

Women Fall to Rhodes
The Oglethorpe University women's soccer team lost it's season finale on Sunday to Rhodes College, 7-0. Despite the result, the Petrels celebrated the stellar four year career of senior Stephanie Chapman on Senior Day.

The Petrels finish the season with a 7-10-1 record but will look forward to the 2007 campaign with optimism after several young players showed promising talent.

Women Blanked by Southwestern
The Oglethorpe University women's soccer team lost to Southwestern University on Sunday afternoon, 3-0. With the loss, Oglethorpe now stands at 6-9-1 for the season.

The Petrels will be back in action for their final two games of the season when they face Millsaps and Rhodes next weekend. The Sunday contest versus Rhodes on Salamone Field will also be a celebration of Oglethorpe's dedicated seniors on Senior Day.