With 91短视频 Athletics back in action this semester, so too is the Royals Athlete of the Week award.

So far three of the five honorees are seniors, and their Q & A profiles are a great opportunity to hear more about how the pandemic has affected their athletics career, what they appreciate about their student-athlete experience, the lessons they’ve learned and their future plans.

The seniors include

• , point guard on the men’s basketball team from Forestville, Md. (awarded Feb. 3);
• , forward on the men’s basketball team from Woodbridge, Va. (Feb. 26);
• , defender on the women’s soccer team from Douglassville, Pa. (March 5).

Tim Jones

Read his and visit his .

In a pandemic-shortened career, Jones was near the top of the program leaderboard in points and assists. His Feb. 3 honor came after the season opener against Lynchburg, where he had 17 points, five rebounds and four steals, and notched his second career double double by racking up 10 assists.

“As a senior and team captain, Tim leads our team every day on and off the court,:” said Head Coach Melvin Felix. “His hard work really showed against Lynchburg by helping us come back and getting in that game not only with his scoring but more importantly by getting everyone else involved, and getting 10 assists. When he is a dual threat with scoring and passing we are a much better team.”

Jones is a business administration major, with minors in recreational leadership and sports studies and marketing. He hopes to pursue more opportunities to play basketball before entering the workforce.

“I learned that I have the ability to adapt in any situation or environment,” he said in his profile. “I have also learned to appreciate life and the freedoms of life. Lastly, compassion for others is one of life鈥檚 greatest gifts.”

D.J. Hill

Read his and visit his .

Hill’s honor came after a tough two-point loss to Emory and Henry. The senior would end the night with 18 total points and grabbed 11 rebounds to help the Royals. 

“DJ as a player is so important for our team on both ends of the floor,” Felix said. “He gives everything every time he steps on the floor. That showed in his performance on the road at E&H, not only did he have to guard their best player all game but he also allowed us to dominate the paint with his scoring and rebounding.”

Hill is a liberal arts major with a business concentration and a business administration minor. He hopes to work in information technology with the U.S. government after graduation.

In his profile, Hill gives credit to several special people for inspiration through this season, including his mother, his grandmother, a former teammate and a former coach, and also “Mrs. Bonnie,” from the 91短视频 dining hall.

Megan Breidigan

Read her and visit her .

A four-year starter as defender, Breidigan has helped the Royals earn 18 shutouts over her career. She enters this season as a co-captain with fellow senior Rachel Sauder. In the team’s season opener against a talented Bridgewater College team, Megan played her role well, communicating with a young roster and shutting down the Eagles鈥� best offensive player. She was awarded the Athlete of the Week honor on March 5.

“Megan did an outstanding job in her first game back after a 482-day layoff due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Head Coach Ted Erickson. “For her to command the back line, to play that sharp, with a freshman goalkeeper behind her as well as the opponent being an NCAA Tournament level team was impressive. I was proud of Megan and the team for not giving up after Bridgewater scored the early goal. Megan has been an outstanding role model, captain, teammate, and friend to all of her teammates and she will be missed next fall.”

Breidigan, a secondary English education major with a psychology minor, talks about what she learned from being on cross-cultural in Guatemala last semester during the pandemic.

She completed her student teaching in fall 2020, all online, and plans to be a middle school teacher and coach in the future.

The 91短视频 has earned the Team Academic Award from the United Soccer Coaches. The award recognizes the team GPA from the 2019-20 academic year.

This is the fifth time in the past six seasons that the team claimed the award from the coaches association, including the past three seasons in a row.

“We are extremely proud of the group we had last year and their commitment to academics,” said Head Coach . “We have worked hard to create a program that deeply cares for academic success because we believe if we can step onto the field and not be worried about upcoming academic events, then we can put forth a better athletic performance.”

The United Soccer Coaches (formerly the National Soccer Coaches Association of America) started its team academic award in 1996. To qualify, a college team must hold a team grade point average of 3.0 or higher. The Eastern Mennonite women had a team GPA of 3.45. A total of 556 four-year institutions of all levels earned the national award.

, like most sports-minded boys his age, grew up playing baseball, basketball, and flag football in Rockingham County in the 1970s 鈥� since those were the main options. But he found something new when he became a freshman at Eastern Mennonite High School after attending John Wayland Intermediate.

鈥淲hen I went to EMHS, football wasn鈥檛 an option. I changed schools; sports was a way to connect,鈥� Mast said of the school that still doesn鈥檛 offer football. 鈥淪occer was the thing to do at EMHS back in the day鈥� with pickup games in Park View on summer nights as well.

That culture was guided by former EMHS coach Ron Koppenhaver. 鈥淗e had a way of arm twisting and encouraging the athletes to play,鈥� Mast recalls of Koppenhaver, who died in 2012 in Kansas.

Now nearly 45 after his freshman year at EMHS, Mast has done his share of encouraging and maybe some arm twisting along the way as a long-time soccer coach in his own right. A former player at EMHS (now EMS) and 91短视频, Mast is preparing for his 30th season as the head men鈥檚 coach for the Royals.

鈥淚 would say how fast time flies,鈥� said Mast, 58, when asked of his lengthy tenure. 鈥淚 guess maybe I am having fun. Life just goes by really, really quickly sometimes. I have a lot of vivid memories of pretty much every season. Each season has its own unique chemistry of players.鈥�

鈥淲hat goes through my mind is looking back at all of the memories I have had with so many people,鈥� he added. 鈥淏e that with players or coaches. You realize all of the people that have influenced me and I have been able to work with.鈥�

He was the Old Dominion Athletic Conference coach of the year in 1996 and 1998, took his 1998 squad to the Sweet 16 in the NCAA tournament, and won his 200th game in 2012.

鈥淭hat was an era that was kind of exciting,鈥� said Mast, a 1985 91短视频 graduate who also played two years of baseball for the Royals. 鈥淭he first ODAC title was in 1996. To play in an ODAC championship all four years (1996-99) is quite an accomplishment鈥� for that class.

Mast and his wife, Cheryl (Yoder), who also attended EMHS and graduated from James Madison University, have two sons, and both Grayson and Mark played for their father at 91短视频. Their mother is Chief Financial Officer for Rockingham County Public Schools.

Coaching tree

The influence of Mast goes beyond the field or his own family.

Several of his former players have gone on to coach at the high school or college level. 鈥淭he list is extensive,鈥� said Mast, who grew up in Mt. Clinton.

One of them is , who coached the Blue Streaks of Harrisonburg and is now the women鈥檚 coach at 91短视频.

Erickson attended HHS and hoped to play at Division I JMU. But the late Dr. Tom Martin 鈥� the long-time JMU coach who passed away in October and was friends with Mast 鈥� was up front with Erickson and told him he might not see playing time his until junior year. Martin suggested he attend a smaller school.

鈥淚 ended up staying all four years,鈥� Erickson said of 91短视频. 鈥淚 think (Mast) has been very good with what he has in the way of a roster and he changes to fit those needs. We had one style as a freshman and then he changed it some our sophomore and junior year and then tweaked it some my senior year.鈥�

鈥淗e was able to develop players and make them stars in Division III. Off the field, to his credit, he gets very close to his players. He will get to know them as individuals; he is sincere about it,鈥� Erickson added of Mast, a member of Harrisonburg Mennonite Church. 鈥淥nce you are done after four years, he doesn鈥檛 kick you out the door. I think that comes from his own personal faith.鈥�

Erickson notes that Mast balances his coaching along with a teaching load as an assistant professor in the health and physical education department.

鈥淚t is difficult, it is not easy,鈥� Erickson said. 鈥淗e deeply cares about the university and where it is headed.鈥�

Mast also served as 91短视频 athletic director in 1990 and from 1991-94. He was on the board of a local youth soccer club nearly 20 years. He is one of the few college soccer coaches in the mid-Atlantic region with a doctorate.

Messiah coach Brad McCarty played for Mast at Christopher Dock, a Mennonite high school in Pennsylvania, before Mast coached one season at EMHS then took over at 91短视频.

鈥淗e was a really influential person in my life at that time,鈥� McCarty said. 鈥淚 had come to know the Lord when I was younger but at that point in my life I was not really living for the Lord. (Mast) was really influential to me.鈥�

鈥淗e was the one that told me about Messiah,鈥� McCarty added of that Christian school near Harrisburg, Pennslyvania. 鈥淗e is someone that I held in high regard as a person, teacher, and coach. He was invaluable in my life; he cared about me.鈥�

McCarty graduated from Messiah in 1993 and has been the coach there since 2009. His team has faced 91短视频 regularly, with the last meeting coming in 2019 as the Royals lost 2-1.

One rival coach Mast goes to for advice is Chris Yeager, the Division III coach of the year in 2010 who has guided Lynchburg in the ODAC for nearly two decades.

As a player at Virginia Wesleyan, Yeager went up against Mast and the Royals. Now he has done that as the Lynchburg coach.

鈥淗is teams have always been super competitive and driven,鈥� said Yeager, whose squad beat 91短视频 3-1 last October. 鈥淭hey always seem to have something in the tank. He does a good job of getting those guys ready to play in big games.鈥�

A year unlike others

There is plenty of motivation for Mast heading into the 2020 season 鈥� in whatever form it takes.

Last fall, the Royals were 5-14 with nine straight losses to end the season. 鈥淲e got hit hard with the injury bug,鈥� he said.

Throw in the uncertainty of COVID-19, and Mast and his fall coaching colleagues may have more questions than answers at this point.

鈥淭he question for me is how to plan for a target without knowing what that target is going to be. We are really planning for a number of different scenarios,鈥� Mast said. 鈥淓ither we hit the ground running and play a full slate of games or another option we could delay and start a little bit later. The worst-case scenario is our season would be cut short. In the ODAC, we are starting conversations right now. It is possible doing an ODAC-only schedule鈥� without non-conference games.

鈥淚t is hard to know how to plan because it seems like the target is always moving,鈥� added Mast.

Earlier this month, after clearance from the school, Mast hosted an incoming player who had never set foot on campus. The veteran coach said the day included plenty of social distancing for a family that wanted to check out the campus in person.

For now, 91短视频 plans to begin in-person classes on August 25. The NCAA, notes Mast, said student-athletes can return as early as August 10.

鈥淚 think that is an unrealistic expectation to move our student-athletes in that early,鈥� Mast said. 鈥淲e won鈥檛 have all of our housing in place by that time. There is also the cost factor.鈥�

But after three decades at the helm, Mast should be able to adapt to whatever the schedule brings. After all, he has the most wins in soccer history as a coach at 91短视频.

鈥淗is guys are always ready to play,鈥� said Yeager, the Lynchburg coach. 鈥淕oing against him, I knew his players were always ready for a fight, home or away. That is hard to go against.鈥�

The Team Ethics and Sportsmanship Award recognizes teams that exhibit fair play, sporting behavior and adherence to the laws of the game, reflected by the number of yellow or red cards they receive. The Royals did not earn a single card over the course of their 18-game season which qualified them for the Platinum Award.

91短视频 is one of five college teams that earned the platinum category, which will be formally acknowledged at the College Coaches Awards Reception on Thursday, Jan. 16 in conjunction with the 2020 United Soccer Coaches Convention. This is the fifth year in a row the Royals have been recognized for the award, but their first platinum honor while earning gold and silver the previous four.

Coach Ted Erickson applauds his team for how they play the game of soccer.

“I’m very proud on this year’s team! This award is just another example of the commitment they showed to training well and playing wisely which resulted in one of our better seasons over the past several years. Had we played a little more physical in a few games we could have had even better results, but overall this group will go down as one of our program’s greats.”

The award was open to all levels of collegiate soccer, both four-year and two-year institutions. The Royals were one of only three teams from the Old Dominion Athletic Conference recognized among the 95 total collegiate programs, joined by Sweet Briar and Bridgewater.

Eastern Mennonite finished the 2019 season with a record of 10-7-1, after getting off to the best start to a season in program history with a record of 7-1. The women were 4-5-1 in the ODAC earning them the ninth seed in the ODAC Tournament.

This is the fourth time in the past five seasons that the team claimed the award from the coaches association, earning it in 2015, 2016, and 2018.

“This is a great achievement by our team from last year,” said sixth-year Head Coach Ted Erickson. “The commitment these ladies have made to improving this program, while maintaining success in the classroom, is outstanding and a center point of our program.”

The United Soccer Coaches (formerly the National Soccer Coaches Association of America) started its team academic award in 1996. To qualify, a college team must hold a team grade point average of 3.0 or higher. The Eastern Mennonite women had a team GPA of 3.46, which was tied for second highest with Lynchburg out of the ODAC teams who won the award, behind Washington and Lee at 3.55.

Entering this weekend’s home game against Lynchburg, the Royals have been off to their best start in program history. The game begins at 4 p.m. as part of 91短视频’s .

The Team Ethics and Sportsmanship Award recognizes teams that exhibit fair play, sporting behavior and adherence to the laws of the game, reflected by the number of yellow or red cards they receive.聽The Royals were given just three yellow cards over the course of their 18-game season. That 16.7% card percentage (total cards divided by total games) qualified them for the Silver Award.

This is the third straight year the Royals have been recognized by the coaches association (formerly the National Soccer Coaches Association of America), earning the Gold Award last year after a Silver in 2015.

颁辞补肠丑听Ted Erickson聽said the style and expectations of the 91短视频 women’s soccer program feed into such awards.

“We expect our student-athletes to play physical within the rules of the game, play fast, and play smart,” he explained. “Since all of these young women are academically driven in the classroom, they understand the expectations that we place on them in practice and then in turn transition that into our game play. This past season we improved in several statistical categories, including our conference record and that is largely because of the team’s characteristics that earn this type of award. These young women stayed composed, played within the rules, and continued to push the program forward. Our graduating seniors have set a tone over the past four years and I know our returning players will continue this path of success.”

The award was open to all levels of collegiate soccer, both four-year and two-year institutions. The Royals were one of only two teams from the Old Dominion Athletic Conference recognized among the 76 total in the top three tiers of awards, joined by Hollins University.

Eastern Mennonite finished the 2017 season with a record of 7-9-2, including 5-5 in the ODAC. It was the first time since 2010 that the women finished at .500 in league play.

Zook transferred to 91短视频 her junior year, after spending two years at Hesston College.

鈥淪elfishly, I wish we could have had her for all four years,鈥� said Coach Ted Erickson. 鈥淪he is a true competitor, who shows up to work hard every day, never moans about the hard practices, and is great to her teammates.鈥�

Coming to 91短视频 was a leap of faith for Zook.

鈥淚 didn鈥檛 know anyone,鈥� she said, 鈥渟o that was really hard. That was a hard transition.鈥�

She had to get to know an entirely new team, and find her place.

鈥淎t the beginning of last season I didn鈥檛 play as much because I had to earn my spot on the team, earn my role, too,” she said. “And my position was an outside defender, but initially that role was already filled.”

However, it did not take too long for Zook to find her groove on the team.

鈥淚 guess maybe mid-season, I started playing outside back and then I just sort of stayed there,鈥� she said.

Zook prepared for her second and senior season with the Royals by running with her sisters and going to the gym.

鈥淚 actually love running, so that鈥檚 kind of a hobby,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t releases stress.鈥�

The team chemistry was a highlight of the season for Zook.

鈥淓veryone got along, and the incoming freshmen were just awesome,鈥� she said. 鈥淲e were all competitive with each other, like all of our positions were very competitive in terms of who started, who played, but I don鈥檛 think we let that interfere with the relationships on the team.鈥�

Zook worked to provide guidance to the freshmen defenders she played with, but the main way she led her team this year was by helping to facilitate good teamwork. 鈥淚 kind of just do my job,鈥� Zook said. 鈥淚 think it鈥檚 more of just a team effort is how I look at leadership, so like working well together.鈥�

Zook is a health and physical education major with a kinesiology minor, and plans to stay in Harrisonburg for a couple years. She’ll do her student teaching next fall.

Zook has mixed feelings about the end of her soccer career.

鈥淚 would say its overall rewarding but also kind of sad that I鈥檓 closing that chapter in my life which has been a part of my life since, I don鈥檛 know, third grade,鈥� she said, pausing. 鈥淪o [I鈥檒l be] finding something else to replace that.鈥�

Zook鈥檚 parents initially wanted her to play basketball, which she did for many years.

鈥淚 kept coming back to soccer, and I kept wanting to play more,鈥� she said. 鈥淎nd I think as the years went on my parents kind of started to like soccer.鈥�

Zook appreciated having her teammates this season to lift her spirits at the end of the day.

鈥淚 think a major highlight of the season was just that I can go from having a not so good day of classes…and just go to practice, and there are girls on the team that are always so happy and it鈥檚 so contagious,鈥� she said. 鈥淚鈥檓 definitely going to miss the personalities and playing with them in general.鈥�

鈥淲e will miss Mikaela,鈥� Erickson said. 鈥淗er shoes will be extremely hard to fill next season. But we are excited to see her become a truly great teacher.鈥�

For each of the past four years, the team has earned the National Soccer Coaches Association of America鈥檚 Team Academic Award, a recognition not received in the previous 10 years.

That honor is in large part thanks to the team鈥檚 10 seniors. Coach describes them as 鈥渆xtremely strong鈥� in the classroom.

The seniors include:

• Rachel Breidigan, a nursing major from Douglassville, Pennsylvania;
• Mary Deskins, special education, Winchester, Virginia;
• Sierra Martin, biology, Glenwood Springs, Colorado;
• Bailey McInnis, liberal arts and psychology, Henrico, Virginia;
• Sara Shenk Moreno, social work, Harrisonburg, Virginia;
• Marcy Smucker, biochemistry, Woodward, Pennsylvania;
• Rachel Sturm, nursing, Denton, Maryland;
• Hannah Walker, biology and environmental sustainability, Chesapeake, Virginia;
• Amanda Williams, biology and environmental sustainability, Millsboro, Delaware; and
• Mikaela Zook, physical education, Millersburg, Indiana.

Manage to arrange a time to sit down and talk with those seniors, and you鈥檒l note their excitement at their rigorous coursework at 91短视频. You also can鈥檛 miss their deep appreciation for 91短视频 鈥� and their team.

Take Sierra Martin, Marcy Smucker and Rachel Sturm, for three.

Three reflect: 鈥楨xcel with it鈥�

After graduating with a degree and psychology minor, Sturm hopes to pursue a doctorate in nursing and work in labor and delivery. She remembers her first experience in that field, the moment the baby was born. 鈥淚 was holding the woman鈥檚 leg and everyone started crying. I started crying. It was just a new experience of God.鈥�

Martin, a major in the program focusing on physical therapy 鈥� with minors in psychology and neuroscience 鈥� also has her sights on a doctorate, in neurological physical therapy working with Parkinson鈥檚 patients and victims of strokes and traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries.

Smucker is a major in the pre-professional health program with a pre-med focus, and neuroscience and Spanish minors.

鈥淚鈥檓 not exactly sure what I鈥檒l specialize in,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 just kind of go with it, figure it out when I get there. A lot of different things excite me.鈥�

They鈥檝e always known that the academic side of his team鈥檚 college life was the priority for Erickson, Sturm said.

鈥淭ed has definitely been supportive,鈥� she said. 鈥淵ou鈥檙e a student first, before you鈥檙e an athlete. Schoolwork is first, before soccer鈥� 鈥� even if it meant occasionally missing practice to study.

Older players shared their textbooks with first-years, and there was 鈥渁n atmosphere on the team where if you needed help with your studies, you can get that,鈥� Smucker said.

That culture taught its own lessons, too, Sturm said 鈥� to be supportive of teammates and to learn from mistakes.

鈥淚鈥檝e realized that the soccer roles that I鈥檝e been in will help me in nursing,鈥� she said. 鈥淟ike Ted says, when it鈥檚 time to be the star, or step into place, or show up on the field, that鈥檚 your time to take that experience and excel with it.鈥�

Pathways to 91短视频

Even though the rest of her Central Pennsylvania family went to 91短视频鈥檚 midwestern sister Goshen College, Smucker 鈥渨asn鈥檛 sure I could go somewhere that鈥檚 flat,鈥� she said; she loves having the option of trail running in the mountains during the off season. But there were other reasons, too, that she chose 91短视频.

鈥淚 enjoy 91短视频鈥檚 very worldly citizen drive for its students,鈥� she said. 鈥淚鈥檓 trying to soak up all that knowledge.鈥�

Martin grew up in Colorado. Like Smucker, she didn鈥檛 want to go somewhere flat, but chose 91短视频 because 鈥渋n two words: I鈥檓 Mennonite,鈥� she said. 鈥淎nd I wanted to play soccer, which I wouldn鈥檛 have been able to do at a bigger school.鈥�

Sturm, also a pole vaulter on the track and field team, is from the Eastern Shore of Maryland. Before coming to 91短视频 she didn鈥檛 know how much she, too, loves the mountains 鈥� or what a Mennonite was.

鈥淲hen I got the free application, I was like, 鈥榃hy not? It鈥檚 free,鈥欌�� she said. 鈥淪o I just did it 鈥� and I got accepted. When I came to visit 鈥� I was like, 鈥榃hy not? I鈥檒l just come visit鈥� 鈥� I actually fell in love with the campus. My mom and I weren鈥檛 expecting that, because I was already almost committed to a different college, to play soccer there.鈥�

What really clinched the deal for Sturm was that the soccer coach 鈥� then Sue Kolb 鈥� and the track coach stayed in touch with her. 鈥淚 really liked the personal relationship they had, and the personal relationship here 鈥� and the culture here, and the cultural diversity,鈥� she said.

The unexpected change of plans ended up 鈥渃hanging my whole path of life,鈥� she said.

Devotions and connections

Among teammates is a strong sense of connection, the three seniors said. Case in point: Before home games, team members take turns providing a devotional, with no coaches present.

鈥淚t鈥檚 a good time to bond and get ready and come together,鈥� Sturm said, 鈥渁nd to be there for each other.鈥�

That environment has been growing since the start of their college soccer careers. Preseason practices provided a social home base from the first day of their first semester.

鈥淧reseason in general is something that I鈥檒l look back on with a combination of love and hate,鈥� Martin said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 the mutual suffering that helps bond you.鈥�

(鈥淢arcy and I didn鈥檛 even think we were going to like each other, when we first met,鈥� Martin added. Smucker鈥檚 response? 鈥淲e鈥檙e roommates now鈥� 鈥� 鈥渁nd have been for three years,鈥� finished Martin.)

鈥淲e鈥檝e become family,鈥� said Sturm. 鈥淲e have a good communication base as a team.鈥�

They notice how much they have changed 鈥� and how much the team experience affects members.

Smucker said that she didn鈥檛 talk much as a freshman, and now counts among her 鈥渇ondest memories鈥� seeing 鈥渢he same thing that happened to me happen to other people, except in their own, very special ways. It鈥檚 really fun to see them finally come out of their shells and start to get comfortable with the team.鈥�

As team relationships developed over the last four years, the team grew to more than 30 players this year, which Martin counts as a success in itself.

鈥淓ven though we won鈥檛 be here to reap the benefits of that growth later on, it鈥檚 exciting to know that we were instrumental in making that happen,鈥� she said.

Nostalgia

With the season about to wrap up, the time has come for nostalgia.

鈥淭he emotional space that I have for soccer hasn鈥檛 changed. I still love it and enjoy it as much as I did,鈥� said Sierra Martin. 鈥淏ut the mental space that I have for it has been forced to decrease and be reallocated to other things that have moved into that space.鈥�

It was a sentiment mirrored by Smucker and Sturm. Since childhood, soccer has been a big part of their lives.

鈥淲e have a lot of memories growing up with that, attached to family and everything,鈥� Smucker said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a big deal whenever parents come to games. Definitely going to miss that. But it鈥檚 also going to be time. I鈥檓 ready.鈥�

Sturm said that while she鈥檚 put herself wholeheartedly into her sports, she is 鈥渞ealizing that the 鈥榖est you can be鈥� can be in multiple, different paths.鈥�

During their time at 91短视频, these three and their seven fellow seniors have carried influence on the team, said Erickson. Though the team may be losing its ten seniors this year, their legacy will stick around.

Since their first year, he said, when they entered a program that had only seven returning players, they have 鈥減ushed through high times and low times. They reawakened an old tradition of academic excellence.鈥�

鈥淭his group has a special place in my heart,鈥� he added. 鈥淭hey are the reason this program has grown to its current level. Each of these young women will be able to leave knowing that they have left this program in a better place than what they walked into, and we will be able to see their success continue onto their next playing field, their professions and future families.鈥�

The Team Ethics and Sportsmanship Award recognizes teams that exhibit fair play, sporting behavior and adherence to the laws of the game, reflected by the number of yellow or red cards they receive.聽The Royals were given just one yellow card over the course of their 19-game season. That 5.3% card percentage (total cards divided by total games) qualified them for the Gold Award.

This is the second straight year the Royals have been recognized by the NSCAA after they earned a Silver Award in 2015, finishing at 11.1%.

Coach applauds his team for how they play the game of soccer.

“This award is a testament to the commitment of these women to play the game in a respectful way,” Erickson explained. “We’ve been able to do this consistently the past two years and actually improve this year with one less card then last year and yet still have a better record. Some may say that we are ‘less physical,’ and yet I see no stats that show teams who pick up multiple cards per game or throughout the season are any better than others. I’m proud of this group of outstanding women and their constant commitment to improving this program and moving up the ODAC standings.”

Only 15 teams across all NCAA and NAIA levels of collegiate soccer earned the Gold Award (1-10%), while nine teams earned Platinum status by receiving no cards. The Royals were the only program from the Old Dominion Athletic Conference in either of the top two tiers of awards.

Eastern Mennonite finished the 2016 season with a record of 8-10-1, a six-win improvement from the previous year. The women were 4-6 in the ODAC and hosted an ODAC Tournament game for the first time since 2006.

Part of her recent success was against Guilford College where her offensive presence became prominent in a 1-0 victory. Walker earned an assist on the game鈥檚 only goal.

鈥淎s a team, I think we felt very confident going into the game that if we played our best, we could control the game and win,鈥� Walker said on the victory. 鈥淚 believe this confidence showed in many of the players from the beginning that even the delay could not bring down the energy.鈥�

The lone assist and control over the last few minutes helped the Royals grab the win and make a move up in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference standings.

Walker’s move to a midfielder was one that she was ready to take on. 鈥淚 had known for a while that I more naturally play the holding mid position, but I have not played any other position besides center defense in about six years. The idea of moving forward a few yards does not seem very different, but in reality, it’s pretty different.鈥�

鈥淗annah has been a strong piece to our聽defensive聽stand the past few seasons. This year we saw a skill set in Hannah that we felt could help us out in our current formation that we were playing,鈥� Head Coach Ted Erickson said. 鈥淗annah has been committed to learning the position and giving us a strong holding midfield presence but also the dynamic attack piece that forces our opponents to play both ways.鈥�

With an influx of new players on the team, this year has seen its share of nice wins and close losses, and Walker has been a stable presence on the pitch for the Royals.

鈥淭his season has been challenging but a lot of fun,鈥� she said. 鈥淭he players are all a lot of fun in their own way, and they bring that to our friendships and the field.鈥�

Walker says “each player has grown into their own position and leadership styles, and this has benefited us greatly. That confidence piece, I believe, will also be very influential. We need to stick with our motto of 鈥榯ogether anything is possible,鈥� and so far this season we have been living into that, and I could not be prouder of this team鈥�

This is the second year in a row the soccer women have claimed the Team Academic Award. The program also had a four-year run from 2001-04.

“This is a reflection of the importance that our athletes put on academics and how it can set them up for success after college,” said Coach . “Last year we had one Yoder Scholarship winner and multiple runner-ups who are still in the Honors Program here at 91短视频. The academic success of prospective students is certainly something that we factor into the recruiting process, and really make sure that not only do they love the soccer program and the direction it is heading, but they also need to see themselves fitting into a certain major here at 91短视频 and succeeding in that academic field.”

The NSCAA recognizes college teams with a team grade point average of 3.0 or higher with the award. The NSCAA started its team academic award in 1996.

Entering this weekend’s game against Hampton University, the Royals hold a record of 5-5-1, including 2-2 in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference. This is the first-ever meeting between 91短视频 and the D-I Pirates. Saturday’s game time is 1 p.m. in Harrisonburg.

The Team Ethics and Sportsmanship Award recognizes teams that exhibit fair play, sporting behavior and adherence to the laws of the game, reflected by the number of yellow or red cards they receive. 聽The Royals were given just two yellow cards over the course of their 18-game season. 聽That 11.1% card percentage (total cards divided by total games) qualified them for the Silver Award.

鈥淲e are pleased to be recognized by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America for our fair play on the field this past season,鈥� said coach . 鈥淭he women on this team play a sport they love with true passion, desire, and a respect for the game and their opponent. This quality is something that my staff and I look at when recruiting prospective athletes and believe that what we currently have and are currently bringing in will only continue this standard that we have set.鈥�

Only 15 teams across all NCAA and NAIA levels of collegiate soccer earned the Gold Award (1-10%), while eight teams earned Platinum status by receiving no cards. In all,聽83 teams received either the Platinum, Gold, Silver or Bronze version of the College Team Ethics and Sportsmanship Award.

Eastern Mennonite recently completed their second season under Ted Erickson, with only six upperclassmen out of a roster of 19 women.

Borg (Gig Harbor, Wash./Peninsula) speaks with experience when discussing the perils of being a keeper on the field. The , Borg has worked (and played) through injuries her entire career, yet she recently moved into the No. 2 spot on 91短视频鈥檚 career saves list, while also holding a career best .741 save percentage.

鈥淚 didn鈥檛 even know that 91短视频 held records for goalies with the most saves,鈥� Borg admitted. 聽鈥淚t鈥檚 awesome to have something that shows your hard work. As goalkeeper, you don鈥檛 get recognized a lot.鈥�

In a game against Randolph-Macon on Oct. 13, she gathered 15 saves, making it the sixth consecutive game she finished with double-digit saves and improving her total career number to 387.

Abby Diffenbach holds the women鈥檚 record with 457 saves.

After the women鈥檚 game against Stevenson on Sept. 5, Borg had a wake-up-call from head coach about her potential. She recalls him saying, 鈥淵ou need to show the ODAC that you鈥檙e the best goalkeeper out there.鈥� 聽This fueled her to work even harder.

鈥淎fter that my work ethic increased so much, also because it鈥檚 my last year of playing,鈥� the senior said. 聽鈥淚 don鈥檛 care at all that I鈥檓 injured. 聽I want to show the players that even if I鈥檓 hurting, I鈥檓 still out there working my hardest.”

Borg began her journey playing soccer at the age of three. A versatile player, she has played every position.

鈥淲hen you鈥檙e in the goal, you can see the position of every single person,” she said. “You鈥檙e able to observe everyone and know how they play. Growing up, my coaches wanted me to learn every field position, so in the past I would do a lot of the field drills and then they鈥檇 say, 鈥榃e鈥檙e doing shooting drills now, get in the goal.鈥� 聽So I鈥檝e learned all of the positions. 聽A coach can literally put me anywhere they want.鈥�

Borg has also been a thrower for the team, which has added extra stress. Last April, during the ODAC conference meet, the wear and tear became unexpectedly noticeable.

鈥淚 was throwing discus and as I whipped my arm, my hand went completely numb,鈥� she said. 聽鈥淚 was supposed to do really well but I didn’t because it scared me so much. After discus, I went to throw javelin and it happened again.鈥�

Doctors informed Borg she had tennis elbow, an irritation of the tissue connecting the forearm muscle to the elbow, but this may be the least of her worries. She has also had reconstructive surgery on both of her ankles.

鈥淭he ligaments in them are torn,鈥� Borg noted. 鈥淵ou鈥檙e supposed to have three ligaments in your ankles but my right one only has two. Then in my left ankle they鈥檙e really stretched out so there鈥檚 no support. 聽It causes a lot of other problems to happen just because I have no support there. Right now I just tape them.鈥�

Due to these injurie,s Borg has spent much of her time in physical therapy. She appreciates the work of physical therapists so much that she is majoring in .

鈥淚 like the idea of helping people and watching them heal,鈥� she said. 鈥淗aving physical therapists help me through my injuries has made them like family to me. I love the atmosphere: you鈥檙e having fun while also helping someone.鈥�

Borg is soaking in the rest of her goalkeeping career by playing with no regrets. Her mantra is 鈥淲ork hard and understand what your role is. Develop that role and then take pride in it.鈥�

As of Monday, Sept. 22聽the team is 2-4-2, with several double overtime games under their belt.聽Mast聽hopes that competitive edge puts his team back into the postseason tourney for the 22nd time in his 24 years at the helm.

Lessons learned from 2013 season

“The 2013 season was one that I would capture as being one of near misses: one game out of making the ODAC Tournament and numerous one goal losses,” Mast explained. “That plays into our team this fall in that we will train to compete. Much of our training will be geared towards competition. We want to instill in our 2014 team a competitive will and work ethic that will turn those close matches into victories.”

The Royals had five one-goal losses last year, including four in conference play. Two of those were in overtime. A win in any of those games would have given 91短视频 the three points they needed to make a jump in the ODAC standings to make the tourney.

In Mast’s mind, his team needs to play their “A” game for every conference outing.

“The competitive balance in the ODAC is hardly fair,” he said. “We must come to play our best each time we have an ODAC opponent on our slate. There is not a team that we can take lightly. The preparation that it takes for each conference team is critical, but even more crucial is having the team intensity and work ethic at a high level for each of these matches.”

All-ODAC players return for new season

Headlining the returners is a pair of former All-ODAC honorees, although one was a pleasant surprise return.

惭颈诲蹿颈别濒诲别谤听聽(Harrisonburg, Va./Eastern Mennonite) is back for his senior season playing for his father. He had three goals and four assists last year, tying for the team lead with 10 points. Mast was an All-ODAC Third Team honoree as a sophomore.

顿别蹿别苍诲别谤听聽(Limon, Costa Rica/Colegio de Limon Diurno) is back to finish up his classwork under a fifth season. He scored three goals last year, but his suffocating presence in the middle of the backline earned him All-ODAC First Team and VaSID All-State First Team awards.

“Chris returns this season as a fifth year senior,” explained Coach Mast, “as he was a medical redshirt his freshman season at Old Dominion before transferring to 91短视频. Chris is a very good organizer of our back four defenders. He also brings good leadership to the team.”

The team also returns super-sub聽聽(Bluffton, Oh./Bluffton), with his three goals and one assist as a junior, as well as senior midfielder聽聽(Harleysville, Pa./Christopher Dock), who had two goals and an assist, and junior defender聽聽(Pottstown, Pa./Owen J. Roberts), who had a goal and an assist.

Mast says his returning core will give this year’s team strength.

“We have good leadership in our upperclassmen,” he explained. “The work ethic of our upperclassmen is high. We also have depth in the goalkeeper position and we have strong enough numbers on our roster to create a competitive atmosphere for training and earning playing time.”

Senior keeper聽聽(Harrisonburg, Va./Eastern Mennonite) is a two-year starter with 188 career saves. He will give leadership to, but also be pushed by, some talented newcomers.

Freshman and transfer student add depth to team

“Matt Overacker聽(Mount Crawford, Va./Turner Ashby) and聽Ryan Zerkel聽(Mount Jackson, Va./Stonewall Jackson) are incoming freshmen who will add depth and compete for playing time in the goalkeeper position,” said Mast. “Andrew brings in some quality experience and our young keepers bring some athleticism and competitive desire.”

While the team must replace All-ODAC forward Christian Rhine (13 goals in two season before transferring to Penn State), along with seven graduated seniors and a handful of other role players, the Royals got a boost from the local schools.

“Juan Luna聽(Mount Jackson, Va./Stonewall Jackson) is returning to the soccer field after a stint as a place kicker at James Madison University,” Mast said, “and he has decided to transfer to 91短视频. Juan is a dynamic attacking player. Local freshmen players are聽Zach Sauder聽(Lyndhurst, Va./Stuarts Draft),聽Grayson Mast聽(Harrisonburg, Va./Eastern Mennonite),聽Brandon Fern聽(Fishersville, Va./Wilson Memorial) and聽Braden Herman聽(Waynesboro, Va./Fort Defiance). In all, we have 37 players reporting for preseason and competing for 28-32 roster spots.”

Difficult non-conference schedule sets the stage for ODAC wins

Once again, Mast scheduled a number of quality non-conference sides to get his men ready for the rigors of the Old Dominion Athletic Conference.

“We have added Johns Hopkins, Gettysburg, Frostburg State, Southern Virginia and Ferrum to our non-conference venue,” said 91短视频’s coach. “We also have teams that we played in 2013 such as Lebanon Valley, Mary Washington and Marymount. We have chosen to play a difficult non-conference schedule to help to prepare our team for our ODAC opponents.”

Coaching changes at assistant level

There are also some changes on the sidelines, as assistant coach Ted Erickson was hired as 91短视频’s head women’s soccer coach. Juan Flores, who played in 17 games in his final season of eligibility last fall, and Patrick Bain, an All-ODAC and All-Region player at Roanoke, join the staff this year.

“I look forward to working with Patrick and Juan,” said Mast in late August.聽“Our goal is to have the players working very hard on both sides of the ball and to be professional in all aspects of our soccer program.”

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