Wednesday, December 09, 2009

MACON, Ga. - Three Atlantic Sun women’s soccer players earned National Soccer Coaches Association of America All-Southeast Region third-team honors.

Atlantic Sun Defensive Player of the Year Bridget Gaughan from Kennesaw State, First-Team All-Atlantic Sun selections Jayme Trocino from Belmont and Olivia Tucker from Mercer made the A-Sun one of the most recognized non-major conferences in the Southeast Region.

Gaughan earned first-team all-conference honor this season in addition to her becoming the fourth A-Sun Defensive Player of the Year from Kennesaw State. The nursing major sits as the only four-year letterwinner among the Owls distinguished senior class. The Marietta, Ga. native will go down in history as one of the top defenders in history of the program. After earning Second Team All-Conference honors the past two seasons, Gaughan joined four other Owls in picking All-Atlantic Sun honors this season.

Trocino becomes only the fourth Belmont player to receive the honor in program history. She led the Bruins in scoring in 2009, recording 10 goals. The midfielder netted a goal in all but two of Belmont's wins over the course of the season. Trocino helped the Bruins go 8-1-3 to close the season, outscoring opponents 31-7 over that span, and qualified for the Atlantic Sun Championship for the third time in as many years.

Tucker becomes the first player from the Mercer women’s soccer team to earn the NSCAA honor. Tucker has served as the backbone of the Bears offense for the past two seasons scoring 18 goals and posting six assists. She ranked among the best in the A-Sun in goals, shots on goal and points per game this season. Tucker also sits as one of seven sophomores named either first, second or third-team All-Southeast Region and one of three from a non-major conference.

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The Atlantic Sun Conference is an 11-member league committed to Building Winners for Life. The A-Sun stands for achievement with integrity in both the academic and athletic arenas, with a focus on the balance between the two for our student-athletes. Headquartered in Macon, Ga., the A-Sun boasts six of the top eight media markets in the Southeast. The A-Sun includes a blend of the most prestigious and dynamic private and public institutions in the region: Belmont University, Campbell University, East Tennessee State University, Florida Gulf Coast University, Jacksonville University, Kennesaw State University, Lipscomb University, Mercer University, University of North Florida, University of South Carolina Upstate and Stetson University.