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.

Women Topped by Top Ranked Tigers
The Oglethorpe University women's soccer team lost to #1 ranked Trinity University on a rain soaked Salamone Field, 3-0. After playing the Tigers evenly early on, Trinity broke through on a penalty kick in the game's 30th minute.

The Tigers upped their lead to 2-0 just before half on a controversial break away goal. The Petrels felt they were obstructed on their half off the pitch but no call was made and the Tigers counter-attacked for the goal.
 
The Petrels will be back in action this Sunday afternoon when they square off with Southwestern on Salamone Field.

Women Top Brewton-Parker, 2-0
The Oglethorpe University women's soccer team defeated Brewton-Parker College Saturday afternoon on Salamone Field, 2-0. It marked the Petrels second consecutive win and raises their overall record on the season to 6-7-1.

Akele Jeffers gave Oglethorpe the lead in the 8th minute when she played a corner kick from Bonnie Morscheiser into the back of the net. Not to be outdone, Morscheiser scored the game's second goal an individual play where she stole the ball from the defender and expertly arched a shot beyond the keeper's outstretched arms.
 
Oglethorpe will look to continue the win streak this Friday when they face conference titan Trinity on Salamone Field.