Date Posted: 11/1/2006

MACON, Ga. – Kennesaw State senior Laura Tucker helped lead the Owls to a dominating regular season performance on her way to claiming Atlantic Sun Player of the Year honors as voted on by the league’s head coaches.

Tucker easily had the most productive offensive season in the league, netting 11 goals. The Tuscaloosa, Ala., native netted a league-best four game-winning goals and was the only A-Sun player to tally double figure goals this season. She becomes the first Kennesaw State player to ever earn the A-Sun’s top individual honor and also received first team All-Atlantic Sun accolades for the second straight year.

Stetson goalkeeper April Eilering took home Defensive Player of the Year honors after leading the Hatters to their best conference record in school history and a No. 2 seed at the upcoming championship. The Troy, Ill., native racked up six shutouts in nine A-Sun matches this year and also landed on the All-Atlantic Sun first team. On the strength of Stetson’s surprising rise to the top of the standings, Julie Orlowski was voted A-Sun Coach of the Year for the first time in her career. ETSU rookie scoring sensation Jordan Monty claimed A-Sun Freshman of the Year honors. The Dallas, Texas native is the first ETSU player in any sport to be named Freshman of the Year.

The Owls landed seven players on the All-Atlantic Sun teams including four first team members. Stephanie Grzeszkowiak and Pip Meo earned all-conference honors for the second straight year for KSU while Jackosnville’s Keri Zwikker added her second consecutive first team nod. Lipscomb goalkeeper Katie Shelton claimed second team All-Atlantic Sun honors after leading the nation in saves and became the first Bisons player to receive all-conference recognition.

The conference kicks off its premier women’s soccer event on Thursday when No. 3 Mercer faces No. 6 Gardner-Webb at the KSU Soccer Complex in Kennesaw, Ga., followed by a nightcap between No. 4 ETSU and No. 5 Jacksonville. Top-seeded Kennesaw State and No. 2 Stetson await the winners in the semifinals. Saturday’s championship match will begin at 7:30pm.

Related Links:
 • Award Winners
 • A-Sun Championship