Monday, October 30, 2006

MACON, Ga. – Stetson University became the first team since 1995 to negotiate the Atlantic Sun Conference without suffering a loss and will be the top-seed at the upcoming 2006 A-Sun Championship presented by Bealls Outlets. Surprising Gardner-Webb earned the number two seed and the other first round bye after finishing the season 5-1-1 in conference play.

The tournament, which begins on November 2 with two first-round match-ups, will have with No. 3 Campbell battling No. 6 Mercer at 4:00 p.m. The day’s other match will feature No. 4 Belmont against No. 5 Jacksonville at 7:00 p.m.

Stetson (6-10-2, 5-0-2 A-Sun) has not lost to an A-Sun opponent in their last 12 matches, posting a 9-0-3 mark including a pair of victories at last year’s championship. Four of the Hatters five conference victories this season were by one goal. Eight teams have successfully defended their tournament title in the 25-year history of the A-Sun Men’s Soccer Championship.

Gardner-Webb (7-7-3, 5-1-1) qualified for their first A-Sun Championship after posting the league’s second best record. The Bulldogs had their best A-Sun showing since joining the league prior to the 2002 season.

Campbell (9-6-2, 4-1-2) overcame a slow start in conference play to earn the No. 3 seed. The Camels were the league’s preseason favorite and have been showing up in the regional rankings on and off all season. They also own the league’s marquee victory with a 1-0 shutout versus then No. 3 North Carolina at home.

Belmont (7-8-2, 3-3-1) is looking for its first A-Sun Championship win after exiting in the first round each of the last three seasons. The No. 4 seed Bruins are 6-3-2 in their last 11 matches of the season.

Jacksonville (6-10-1, 3-4-0) boasts one of the league’s most potent offenses, notching four four-goal games this year. The fifth-seeded Dolphins have not advanced beyond their first game since reaching the championship match in 2001.

Mercer (3-11-3, 1-4-2) earned a draw with UNF on the last day of the regular season to claim the No. 6 seed. The Bears are 0-4-2 over their last six matches but have played three one-goal matches over that stretch. Mercer’s three tournament titles are the most by any team in A-Sun history.

2006 A-Sun Championship presented by Bealls Outlets – Official Online Coverage

2006 Atlantic Sun Conference
Men’s Soccer Tournament Appearances
No. 1 – Stetson Hatters
Appearances12 Record 6-10-2

No. 2 – Gardner-Webb Bulldogs
Appearances First Record 0-0-0

No. 3 – Campbell Fighting Camels
Appearances 7 Record 4-7-0

No. 4 – Belmont Bruins
Appearances 3 Record 0-2-1

No. 5 – Jacksonville Dolphins
Appearances 5 Record 3-4-0

No. 6 – Mercer Bears
Appearances 19 Record 14-22-1