Wesleyan Soccer Falls to Covenant

Wesleyan College goalkeeper Emily Epperson recorded 19 saves in the Pioneers 7-0 loss to Covenant College on Saturday afternoon.  Covenant sent a barage of shots her way, piling up 47 total against the Pioneer defense.

Covenant, who will join the Great South Athletic Conference next season, held Wesleyan without a shot in the match.

"We are still trying to learn how to be consistent.  We play really good defense for stretches and then give up an easy goal, so we still have some things to work on.  But Covenant was a really talented team with a lot of depth and that's the direction we are trying to take our program."

__________________________________________________________
NCAA Division III Career Saves Leaders  (Name / School / Years / Games / Saves)
1.  Amanda Cobb, New Jersey City           1997-00         66            1,114
2.  Sara Jesuit, Marian (WI)                        1999-02         72               973
3.  Tracy Dolence, Lake Erie                       1998-01         78               954
4. *Emily Epperson, Wesleyan                  2007-             55               921
_________________________________________________________
The Pioneers return to the pitch on Friday, September 17 when they travel to Tennessee Temple. The Crusaders defeated Wesleyan 6-2 in the season opener, so the Pioneers will be looking to even the score. Kick-off is set for 4:00pm.

Thomas Tabbed GSAC Runner of the Week

The Great South Athletic Conference named Wesleyan senior Belle Thomas the first Runner of the Week of 2010.

Thomas finished fifth overall in a time of 23:25 at the Darton Invitational. The Pioneers placed third in the meet, the team's best finish in program history.

Thomas and her teammates return to action on Saturday at the Remembrance Run hosted by Georgia Southwestern University.

Epperson Eclipes 900-Save Mark in Wesleyan Soccer Loss

Local rival Atlanta Christian College used an impressive offensive attack in the first half on their way to handing Wesleyan College soccer a 6-0 loss [BOX SCORE] at the Mathews Athletic Complex.

Senior goalkeeper Emily Epperson continued her march through the NCAA Division III record book, turning away nine more shots in the loss. Epperson ran her career total to 902 saves, becoming just the sixth player in NCAA history and fourth in Division III history to surpass the 900-save plateau. She currently stands 53 saves behind third place in D-III history.
__________________________________________________________

NCAA Division III Career Saves Leaders (Name / School / Years / Games / Saves)

1. Amanda Cobb, New Jersey City      1997-00      66       1,114
2. Sara Jesuit, Marian (WI)                  1999-02      72        973
3. Tracy Dolence, Lake Erie                 1998-01     78         954
4. *Emily Epperson, Wesleyan            2007-         55        902

__________________________________________________________

Two goals in the opening four minutes of the match stunned the Pioneers (0-2-0). Kara Banister scored three first half goals to help lift the Chargers (5-1-1) to a 5-0 lead at the intermission.

Wesleyan managed to regroup at halftime and produced the type of defensive effort anticipated from the team. ACC managed just one goal in the second half, collecting that score in the 88th minute.

"I was pleased with our increased level of fitness in the second half and our competitiveness on 50-50 balls," said head coach Michael Spivey. "We have to learn to come out of the gates faster and not surrender those early goals."

Forward Azea Mustafa again provided the offensive spark for the Pioneers. The team's leading returning scorer launched a team-best five shots.

Wesleyan returns to the field on Saturday when they face future GSAC rival Covenant College on Lookout Mountain.

Epperson Closing in on NCAA Mark

Senior goalkeeper Emily Epperson was featured in an article written by The Macon Telegraph.  Currently ranked fourth all-time, she is rapidly closing in on the NCAA career saves record.  To read the full story, click the link below:
Epperson Closing in on NCAA Mark

Eight Newcomers Debut in Soccer Season-Opening Loss

The Wesleyan College soccer team opened the 2010 season with a 6-2 loss [BOX SCORE] to Tennessee Temple University (2-3) on Saturday night.

See a photo gallery from tonight's game.

The Pioneers started eight newcomers in the season debut.  Last year's leading scorer Azea Mustafa picked up right where she left off, scoring a goal in the 33rd minute off a free kick, while sophomore Chanyka Palmer scored her first collegiate goal in the 81st minute.

"We are still working on our continuity, trying to get our newcomers and returners working as a cohesive unit," stated second-year head coach Michael Spivey.  "We had a few other opportunities to score tonight, so we will take several positives away from this game to prepare for our game on Wednesday."

Senior goalkeeper Emily Epperson tallied nine saves, bumping her career total to 893 saves, just 61 away from taking over third place in D-III history. For the Crusaders, freshman Diana Martinez accounted for four of the team's six goals.

The Pioneers return to the pitch on Wednesday, Sept. 8 to face off with Atlanta Christian College at the Mathews Athletic Complex.  Kick-off is at 7:00pm.

Follow the Pioneers on Twitter at Twitter.com/GoWesleyan.

Soccer Eyes Return to GSAC Tournament in 2010

Under second-year head coach Michael Spivey, the Wesleyan soccer team will be looking to establish an identity early in the year that will carry the team to a post-season appearance. The road to the GSAC Tournament starts on Saturday when the Pioneers host Tennessee Temple at the Mathews Athletic Complex.

Follow Wesleyan athletics at Twitter.com/GoWesleyan

Key Returners

Emily Epperson, Senior, Goalkeeper
Epperson ranks fourth in NCAA Division III history in career saves and is the Great South Athletic Conference career record holder.

Azea Mustafa, Junior, Forward
Mustafa led the team in goals (3) last season and will be the focal point of the offense again this year.

Team Strengths

• A solid defense
• Never-say-stop attitude across the team

Areas for Improvement

• Getting the inexperienced group up to speed
• Team continuity

GSAC Outlook

Wesleyan expects to compete in every match this year to the final minute and qualify for the conference playoffs at the end of the season. Maryville College has won nine straight regular season titles and has not lost a conference match in three years.

Worth Quoting

"Youth, experience and attitude will drive this team to meet its season goals in 2010. "

-- Wesleyan head coach Michael Spivey on the upcoming season.

Volleyball Debuts at Reinhardt College

Waleska, Ga. - Twelve Wesleyan volleyball student-athletes made their collegiate debut in the Pioneers' 3-0 loss to Reinhardt University.

Follow Wesleyan athletics at Twitter.com/GoWesleyan

A dominant service game made the difference as the NAIA-affiliated Eagles hammered home 31 aces, accounting for over 40% of the team's total points.

Captain Alaina Avera led the Pioneers (0-1) with two kills and three digs.

Wesleyan returns to Porter Gymnasium for the team's home opener on September 11. First serve versus Trinity Baptist College is set for 1:00pm.