August 16, 2010

Bears Picked Fourth; Place Two on Preseason All-Conference

MACON, Ga. – On Monday, the Atlantic Sun announced their 2010 women’s soccer preseason coaches’ poll and two Mercer student-athletes were selected as part of the Preseason All-Atlantic Sun Team.

Senior defender Kacie Hudson and junior midfielder Olivia Tucker followed up their 2009 postseason accolades with their second consecutive preseason distinction. Tucker is the Bears returning goal scorer and an All A-Sun First-Team selection last season. Hudson, an All A-Sun second-teamer from a year ago, anchors a stout Bears defense that consistently ranks among the top in the conference.

“We are honored to have two of our players recognized to the preseason all-conference team,” head coach Grant Serafy said. “Kacie and Olivia are certainly deserving – both put a great deal of commitment and time into this program and are tremendously talented players.”

The Bears placed the second most players on the 11-person roster behind Belmont, who placed four players on the team.

The A-Sun coaches had full control of the votes this season and picked the Bears to finish tied for fourth in the conference with Jacksonville. Last year’s A-Sun Champs, Kennesaw State, was picked as the preseason favorite to win both the regular season and the postseason tournament for a third consecutive season.

“We are glad to be picked so high in the preseason poll,” Serafy said. “We have high aspirations for this season and will certainly aim to finish better than where we have been picked.”

The Orange and Black are coming off their fourth consecutive trip to the A-Sun tournament and return ten starters from last year’s team. Nine highly touted incoming freshmen will add a new dimension and increase the Bears overall depth as the Bears open the 2010 regular season this Sunday against Georgia Southern. Kick-off is set for 2 p.m. at Bear Field.