Thursday, September 08, 2011

• With its win against FAU, Mercer moved to 4-0 on the season - the best start in program history. The Bears have yet to yield a goal making them one of two teams in the nation (Oregon) with an undefeated record and zero goals allowed. The A-Sun record for fewest goals allowed in a season is eight, which was set by Kennesaw State in 2006.

• After three weeks of play, the A-Sun holds a .500 or better record against seven conferences. The A-Sun lays claim to winning records against the Atlantic 10, Big Sky, Big South, Colonial, Sun Belt and SWAC. Currently, Mercer, Jacksonville and ETSU are on multiple-game winning streaks.

• Kennesaw State's Katrina Frost took over the A-Sun points lead this week from teammate Alyssa Mahan as Frost registered all three of the Owls goals on the week. Frost, a redshirt freshman, has totaled six goals on the year and two game-winning goals - both of which lead the league. Mahan still holds the top spot in the conference for assists with four.

• In the past four seasons, four freshmen have reached double-digits in goals. Last season, North Florida's Lauren Hopfensperger tallied 10 goals, while Mercer's Olivia Tucker, the A-Sun Player of the Week, matched that number in 2008. FGCU's Lindsay Haw scored 11 times as a freshman in 2007.

• Five A-Sun goalkeepers enter the weekend matches with a GAA less than 1.00. Mercer's tandem of Cristina Guilarte and Cagney Valloch both hold a 0.00 GAA ahead of Jacksonville's Sarah Sierra, the A-Sun Defensive Player of the Week, and FGCU's Stephanie Powers, who are tied at 0.80. ETSU's Caitlin Gaughan completes the top-five with a 0.96 GAA.

• Powers moved up another spot in the A-Sun record books with FGCU's 1-0 shutout of Duquesne on Sept. 2nd. The clean sheet was the second of the season for the senior and 21st of her career moving her into sole possession of eighth place in A-Sun history. With her next shutout she will tie JSU's Adriana Finelli for seventh all-time. Stetson's April Eilering holds the conference record with 29 shutouts in a career.

• Through three weeks of play, three teams have reached double-digits for goals scored. ETSU leads the way with 15 goals just ahead of Kennesaw State with 13 successful shots. FGCU's 10 goals ranks third in the conference. Last season, Jacksonville led the way with 39 goals with Mercer (30) and Stetson (29) also ranking in the top three.

• This weekend, only two games will be played on A-Sun soil with Kennesaw State hosting UAB and USC Upstate welcoming Alabama State on Sunday. The conference is scheduled for 18 games total - five of which come against BCS Conference opponents. Mercer takes on two of those with games at Georgia and No. 5 Florida State, while FGCU battles with No. 9 Florida on Sunday.

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