Pioneers Wrap Up 2010 Season With Loss to JBC

Playing its third match in three days, the Wesleyan College soccer team did not have enough left in the tank to overcome Johnson Bible College, dropping the match by a score of 2-0.

Senior Emily Epperson added nine saves to her record-setting career total, wrapping up her four years at Wesleyan with 1, 127 saves.  Midfielder Amber Campbell also played her final collegiate match for the Pioneers.

The match concluded the Pioneers 2010 campaign.

Equestrian Team Competes in First Show of Season

The Wesleyan College Equestrian Team competed this past weekend (Oct. 23-24) at Georgia Southern University in Statesboro, GA. Sophomore Stephanie Jamison competed in Advanced Walk/Trot/Canter earning a sixth place ribbon. Junior Lorikim Morris earned reserve place in Beginner Walk/Trot/Canter and freshmen Aaron South and Beth Hurst earned reserve in Advanced Walk/Trot/Canter.


The team competes again this weekend at Savannah College of Art and Design.

Epperson Sets NCAA Career Saves Record

Wesleyan College goalkeeper Emily Epperson broke the NCAA all divisions career saves record on Sunday evening. Tallying 23 saves in her final home game against Great South Athletic Conference power Salem College, her career total currently stands at 1,118 saves. The previous record of 1,114 saves was set by Amanda Cobb of New Jersey City College in 2000.

“I didn’t think that I would make it before the season ended, so it was a surprise to say the least,” remarked Epperson. “It’s a bittersweet record, but it’s a personal accomplishment so it’s something that I’ll always have with me. It’s unfortunate that we couldn’t back it up with a couple of winning seasons, but I can’t be anything but ecstatic about it and I’m happy with how I’ve performed over the past four years.”

The record breaking save occurred in the 85th minute of play when Epperson blocked a shot in the box by Salem’s Alana Carroll.

“She’s a great goalie,” stated Amber Campbell, the only other senior on Wesleyan’s roster. “I’ve never seen a better player or someone who puts so much into it and she really deserves this recognition. From the moment we came in as freshman, she was a go getter. She wanted the team to do as well as it could and she knew what she had to do to contribute. She’s made to lead a team.”

President Ruth Knox presented the senior with a ball signed by the team at the first dead ball following the save. It gave her teammates and the campus community an opportunity to celebrate alongside her.

“We’re excited for her,” stated Wesleyan head coach Michael Spivey. “Her work ethic represents everything you want to see in a student-athlete as far as her balance between her studies and soccer. To me, the leadership she shows off the field is just as important as how she leads on the field. She’s been voted as a captain for two years now, and I think people look to her for her strength in leadership. She has a lot of strong character traits, including a personality that’s open and hard working, and she has a lot of goals and she strives to work hard to accomplish them, which she did tonight.”

The leader now finds herself atop the NCAA record books, separating herself from great players all the way from Division I powerhouse North Carolina to Wesleyan’s rivals in the Great South Athletic Conference.

“It’s kind of surreal - I never even thought it was possible or that there was record for it or that it was that important, so it’s kind of cool that it’s mine now.”

Mark another goal off the list for this driven student-athlete after tonight.

Volleyball Drops Two in Final GSAC Weekend

The trip to LaGrange College for the team's final Great South Athletic Conference tri-match did not treat Wesleyan volleyball well as the host Panthers and Agnes Scott College swept the Pioneers.

Brittany Sheely racked up five kills in each match to pace Wesleyan. With the losses, the Pioneers will miss the GSAC Championship this year.

Wesleyan hosts Southern Wesleyan University in their season finale on Oct. 30. First serve is set for 1:00pm at Porter Gymnasium.

Epperson on Pace to Break NCAA Record

In a match against league leader Maryville College, the Wesleyan soccer team could not generate an offensive rhythm against a dominant Scots team, dropping the match by a score of 12-0.

Senior goalkeeper Emily Epperson closed to within 20 saves of the NCAA all divisions career record, tallying 25 saves against the Scots.  She currently stands at 1095 saves, second only to Amanda Cobb's 1114.  Epperson will have a chance to break the record tomorrow evening when the Pioneers host Salem College at the Mathews Athletic Complex at 6:00pm.
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NCAA Division III Career Saves Leaders (Name / School / Years / Games / Saves)

1. Amanda Cobb, New Jersey City 1997-00 66 1,114
2. Emily Epperson, Wesleyan 2007- 64 1095
3. Sara Jesuit, Marian (WI) 1999-02 72 973
4. Tracy Dolence, Lake Erie 1998-01 78 954
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Volleyball Packs Porter in Pink against Brewton-Parker

Wesleyan College participated in Breast Cancer Awareness Month by "Packing Porter in Pink" for the volleyball team's match with Brewton-Parker College. The Department of Athletics honored during the match and collected donations to the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure.

The Pioneers fell to the Barons 3-1 (25-13, 24-26, 25-16, 25-8). Brittany Sheely led Wesleyan (1-14) with 10 kills and a .240 hitting percentage while Alaina Avera finished with a season-best 18 digs. Emily Wood pounded out 21 kills for Brewton-Parker (15-7) in the win.

Wesleyan heads to LaGrange College on Saturday to compete in the team's final Great South Athletic Conference tri-match of the year, joining the host Panthers and Agnes Scott College.

Pioneers Soccer Falls to Agnes Scott, 4-0

Facing a barrage of shots, Wesleyan goalkeeper Emily Epperson inched closer to taking over the top spot in NCAA career saves in a 4-0 loss to GSAC rival Agnes Scott College.  She finished the match with 23 saves on 45 shots taken by the Scotties and is now only 45 saves from owning the record.

The Pioneers wrap up their season with three games in three days, beginning with a conference match on Saturday at Maryville College.  Wesleyan will return home for their final match at the Mathews Athletic Complex on Sunday against Salem College before taking on Johnson Bible College on Monday.

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

1. Amanda Cobb, New Jersey City 1997-00 66 1,114
2. Emily Epperson, Wesleyan 2007- 63 1070
3. Sara Jesuit, Marian (WI) 1999-02 72 973
4. Tracy Dolence, Lake Erie 1998-01 78 954
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