Soccer Gearing Up for National Tourney

Hattiesburg, MS- William Carey University men and women's soccer will open play in the 2009 NAIA National Tournament this Saturday as the women will take on Union College (KY) at 4:00 pm while the men will battle Martin Methodist College (TN) at 7:00 pm.

The Lady Crusaders enter tournament play with a record of 19-1-1 and are the fifth seed. The reigning Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Champions are making their second straight appearance in the national tournament and third overall. Last season, Carey defeated Oklahoma City (OK) and Embry Riddle (FL) to advance to the elite eight before falling to Trinity Christian (IL), 2-1.

This year's version of the Lady Crusaders is led by returning All-American and GCAC Player of the Year Aimi Beresford. The senior mid-fielder from Normanton, England has been a rock for head coach Danny Owens netting 12 goal and recording 12 assist. GCAC Offensive Player of the Year senior Jeana Erickson leads the Lady Crusaders with 19 goals while junior Natalia Nino has added 15 goals. In goal junior Jackie DeNova has emerged into her own posting a 13-1 record allowing just 10 goals and recording 62 saves.

"I am exited about hosting the national tournament this weekend. Anytime you can play at home in front of your fans it is nice. This is what we have been preparing for all season and the girls are ready to go. The team set goals for themselves and I feel they are ready to get going and finish the season strong," said head coach Danny Owens.

The Lady Crusaders were ranked third in the final NAIA poll.

Union College (KY) enters the 2009 NAIA National Tournament with a record of 16-4-1. This is the Lady Bulldogs third appearance in the national tournament and first since 2003. The Appalachian Conference champs are led by AAC Player of the Year and Offensive Player of the Year sophomore Marcela Salum. Salum totaled 17 goals and 7 assists on the season. Ashley Hall added 15 goals and Renata Peixoto netted 15 goals for Union (KY). AAC Defensive Player of the Year Patricia Nardy anchors the Lady Bulldogs in the goal. Nardy sports a 14-0-1 record and has recorded 78 saves.

On Saturday a total of 16 matches will take place around the country at on-campus sites. The winners will advance to the NAIA Women's Soccer National Championship final site, Nov. 30 - Dec. 5, in Decatur, Ala., at the Jack Allen Recreation Complex. The National Championship is hosted by the Decatur Morgan County Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Carey men's soccer is making their 8th appearance in the national tournament and first since 1998. The Crusaders enter tournament play with a 13-3-3 record and are the No. 9 seed. Carey is led by GCAC Player of the Year Reece Wilson. Wilson, a freshman from Surrey, England, totaled 12 goals on the season followed by junior Carl Reynolds with 10 goals, senior Tito Salas with 9 goals, and freshman Jonny Fairbairn with 8 goals. Medy Lorius leads the Crusaders with 9 assist followed by Carl Reynolds with 7. Senior Sean Mapson anchors the Carey defense in the goal sporting a 13-3-3 record with 70 saves and just 25 goals allowed.

The Crusaders stormed through GCAC play with an unbeaten record but stumbled in the championship game of the GCAC playoffs. Carey was ranked 9th in the final NAIA poll and received one of six at-large bids.

"It's been a great season. Reaching the national championship round for the first time since 1998 and being ranked at No. 9 in the nation shows the progress that has been made. The program has emerged into its own beginning with 2007 class. That class has laid the foundation for all of the classes to come. I am truly proud of them," said head coach Nigel Boulton

Martin Methodist College is making their first appearance in the NAIA National Tournament. The Tran South conference champions punched their ticket to this season's tournament by upsetting defending national champion and No. 1 Bethel College in the Trans South conference championship game. The Redhawks enter tournament play with a 10-3-3 record. The Redhawks are led by first team all-conference selections Tiago Reichart and Fernando Andrade. Reichart leads the Redhawks with 7 goals while Andrade has notched 4 goals along with 3 assists. James Coleman patrols the goal for the Redhawks allowing just 8 goals and recording 52 saves on the season in 10 games this season

The 15 National Championship Opening Round winners from Saturday will join Championship host, Fresno Pacific (Calif.), from Nov. 30 - Dec. 5 in Fresno, Calif., for the 2009 NAIA Men's Soccer National Championship.