Mercer University Athletics

MACON, Ga. - With the program’s first-ever Atlantic Sun championship to defend next season, Mercer has gotten a jump start on its 2009 campaign by adding five new faces to its roster on Signing Day. Goalkeeper Caitlin Barth, central defender Patricia-Anne Upson, midfielders Danielle Hesse and Meghan O’Rourke, and forward Ariana Walsh will all be taking the pitch for the Orange and Black next season.

Head coach Grant Serafy did not have to look far for his reinforcements: all five players hail from the state of Georgia.

“We are pleased with our 2009 recruiting class,” Serafy said. “We think we have added some players that will help us continue the successful tradition we have built here at Mercer. It is a good combination of defending, goalkeeping, attacking, and midfield players."

The lone goalkeeper in the recruiting class, Barth is a two-time letterwinner with Whitewater High School in Fayetteville, Georgia: her hometown. She played at the club level with AFC Lightning and Concorde Fire South, both of which are Athena A level clubs. One of two sets of twins in her family, Barth also played basketball for the Whitewater Wildcats.

Barth is one of three players in Serafy’s signing class that has experience with the Georgia Olympic Development Program (ODP) State Team, which selects the top players in the state for elite training and competition with an eye toward U.S. National Team candidacy. Barth has been a member of the ODP team since 2007.

"Caitlin is a very good athlete that has potential to develop into a successful goalkeeper,” Serafy said of his new netminder. “She is exceptional with her feet - punts, goalkicks, and balls played back to her are a strength and that is very important at this level. We look for her to come in and add to the competition for the goalkeeper position."

Upson, meanwhile, will challenge for time at the central defender position for the Bears. A native of Griffin, Ga., Upson has captained her Tophat Soccer Club side since 2005, helping the team to state championships in both 2006 and 2007. She has also lettered in four seasons with Spalding High School, leading the team in goals in each of the last three years while landing All Region Offensive Player of the Year honors as a sophomore and as a junior.

Upson joins the Bears after a fine 2008 season, which saw her carry Spalding to the state finals while help her club team to a perfect 11-0-0 mark and a Region Three Premier League East Championship. She has also been a stalwart defender on the Georgia ODP State Team since 2006.

"P.A. is a tough central defender,” Serafy said. “She is strong in the tackle and strong in the air. She reads the game well, which is critical for a central defender, and is also a good organizer which is also important for the central defense. She comes from the very successful Tophat club and we will look for her to push for a starting position in the back."

Hesse and O’Rourke will both compete for midfield spots in Serafy’s 4-3-3 system. Hesse joins the Bears after four excellent seasons with Whitefield High School in her hometown of Mabelton, Ga. The 5-foot-6 midfielder has tallied 45 goals and 34 assists in the past three seasons with the Wolfpack, captaining the side in both her junior and senior years. She has earned Area 3 first-team honors the past two seasons, and was named to the Cobb County Second-Team in both 2007 and 2008.

Hesse played her club soccer with Cobb FC under coach Jim Nasr, serving as team captain and helping the side to a 9-1-1 mark in Athena A at the U-18 level.

"Danielle is a hard-working player,” Serafy said. “She possesses good technical ability that enables her to be an effective player from the midfield. We are glad to add her as a positive addition to our program."

O’Rourke, meanwhile, comes to Mercer as a four-year letterwinner with McIntosh High School in Peachtree City, Ga. She has chipped in 33 goals and 19 assists in three seasons with the Chiefs, earning all-region honors each time.

Planning to major in business administration while at Mercer, O’Rourke has played club soccer for AFC Lightning under coach Andy Thompson, helping the team to the Division A championship game in each of the last two seasons. O’Rourke was the Lightning’s leading scorer in 2007.

O’Rourke is another Bears’ newcomer that has been a member of the Georgia Olympic Development Program State Team, having played on the squad since 2004.

"Meghan is a quality player,” Serafy said. “She is very good technically and has a fierce competitive drive about her. She is capable of playing in the midfield or up top and should help us in the attack."

Up top, the addition of Walsh should help the Bears in front of goal as Serafy looks to bolster his front line. A pacy forward from Stone Mountain, Ga., Walsh has played three seasons at the Athena A level with the Gwinnett Soccer Association, helping her team to an 8-2 record and a third-place finish in 2008.

In addition, Walsh has earned two letters with Shiloh High School, leading the team in goals in 2007 and in assists in 2008. Named the program’s best offensive player in 2007, Walsh also earned two letters in track with the Generals, setting a school record for the 100-meter run in 2008.

"Ariana has the potential to be a dangerous striker,” Serafy said. “She has great pace and can get behind defenders with her speed and ability to take players on. We will look for her to come in and challenge for playing time up top and score goals."

While the five newcomers will not suit up for Mercer until the fall, the returning Bears begin their quest for more A-Sun silverware in 10 days as they kick off their spring schedule with a tough road contest against Florida on Feb. 14. The Orange and Black then face GCSU in Macon on Feb. 27 at Bear Field.