Tough Road Ahead in Spring for Women’s Soccer

- J. Andrew Lockwood -
Senior Editor / Sports Columnist
james.andrew.lockwood@student.mercer.edu

Rather than bask in the limelight of their 2008 Atlantic Sun Championship, the women’s soccer team is going back to work, facing a six game slate in the spring months that should challenge them heading into next season. Two-time A-Sun Coach of the Year Grant Serafy was particularly excited about the upcoming schedule, which features SEC schools Florida and Auburn and ACC foe Clemson.  “This is the most competitive spring schedule we have had since I have been here. We lost some very good seniors and some very good leadership, but have a good core group of players returning and I wanted to challenge them,” said Serafy.  “It will be interesting to see how they respond to the challenge. I am certain this competitive spring season will prepare us well for the fall campaign as we will attempt to defend our title,” added the Mercer coach.

            Goalie Jean Worts sees the challenging schedule as a way to continually improve for next year.  “We are all really excited to be able to play against such high caliber programs, and spring is the time for us to get ready for conference next fall. The schedule is tough, but now is when we have to start working for our goal, to win the ASUN tournament next fall,” commented the junior goalie. 

            Although the Bears lost a few of their key seniors from 2009, they’ll have Worts returning in the goal, leading a stingy defense that ranked in the top ten in the nation a year ago.  Offensive weapon Olivia Tucker will also be a key contributor on next year’s squad.  The spring schedule gives Tucker, as well as her teammates, a few games to gel offensively and play together before the summer.  One of Serafy’s top priorities will be replacing Atlantic Sun Defender of the Year Heather Manting and the team’s most valuable attacker, Meghan Castaldo.  With trips to Gainesville, Auburn, and Clemson as well as home contests against GCSU, Columbus State, and Georgia State, the Bears should head into next season with plenty of momentum in quest for a 2009 A-Sun title.

 2009 Mercer Women's Schedule