Complete National Poll
Erie, Pa. - The Mercyhurst women's soccer team has been ranked No. 9 in the final NSCAA/adidas Division II national poll, released Tuesday. The team's ranking is its highest this season, moving up from No. 17 in the final regular season poll, released Nov. 12. The Lakers (15-5-4) reached the NCAA quarterfinal for the first time since 1995.
NCAA tournament champion Seattle Pacific gained the No. 1 ranking, followed in the top five by finalist West Florida, semifinalists Metro State and Saint Rose and then Columbus State, respectively.
Mercyhurst's three NCAA tournament opponents all drew mention in the postseason poll. Saint Rose finished No. 4, while West Chester ended the season with the No. 12 ranking. Slippery Rock received votes in the final poll.
Season Notes
- The Lakers posted the most successful postseason run in program history, winning the PSAC tournament before winning twice in the NCAA tournament. Mercyhurst beat Slippery Rock 3-0 Nov. 16 in the second round of the national tournament before capturing their first Atlantic Region championship with a 1-0 win at No. 14 West Chester Nov. 21.
- Mercyhurst made an impression in their first season in the PSAC, winning the PSAC tournament championship. The Lakers earned the PSAC West No. 2 seed after finishing the regular season 10-4-4 overall with an 8-2-4 record in the PSAC West.
- The Lakers won their first-ever PSAC West game, a 3-2 victory against California (Pa.). Jamie Schroter scored Mercyhurst's first goal, and Taylor Hilinski scored twice. Christine Rehnert earned the assist on Hilinski's first goal.
- Mercyhurst finished the season on an 8-1-1 run, playing their best soccer down the stretch while reeling off five consecutive postseason victories.
- The Lakers saw their 22-game home unbeaten streak snapped in a 2-1 overtime loss to Lock Haven Oct. 15. They promptly reeled off six consecutive home victories, including four in the postseason. The Lakers are 32-2-4 at home during the last four seasons and 37-4-5 since the new FieldTurf was installed before the 2004 season. Mercyhurst is 49-8-6 at home under head coach Keith Cammidge.
- Sophomore defender Jamie Schroter led the nation in assists with 16, tying Sarah Powell's single-season program record for assists. She also added five goals for 26 points. Schroter was honored as a Daktronics All-America First Team selection, the first Mercyhurst women's soccer player to be named first team All-American since Megan Frey and Geraldine O'Shea were named first team by NSCAA in 2000. Schroter also made first team All-PSAC West and first team All-Atlantic Region.
- Junior forward Taylor Hilinski started every game and scored a career high 15 goals and six assists for 36 points. She was named ESPN The Magazine/CoSIDA Academic All-America First Team, as she holds a 4.0 grade point average in biology education in addition to her athletic success. Hilinski was named honorable mention All-Atlantic Region and second team All-PSAC West this season. She scored five game-winning goals and was in the top five in conference scoring.
- Senior midfielder Christine Rehnert was named All-PSAC West First Team, her second consecutive all-conference honor. Rehnert tied for second on the team with seven assists in 2008.
- Junior midfielder Karla Vogt earned All-PSAC West Second Team honors in 2008, scoring three goals and one assist. Vogt scored two game-winning goals in the postseason, netting the game-winner against The Rock in the PSAC quarterfinals and also scoring in Mercyhurst's 1-0 NCAA third round victory over No. 14 West Chester Nov. 21.
- Senior Sarah Powell led the PSAC with 24 goals and 55 points. Both totals rank as the third-best single-season totals in PSAC women's soccer history.
- Sophomore defender Jamie Schroter paced the conference and the nation with 16 assists. Her 16 helpers were the second most in a single season in PSAC history.
- Powell scored 24 goals and added seven assists for 55 points, establishing career highs in goals, points and game-winning goals (7) while finishing fourth in the nation in goals and fifth in points. Powell finished her career first in program history with 42 assists, second with 188 points and third with 73 goals. Powell was named PSAC Tournament MVP after leading the Lakers to the PSAC championship. Powell earned Daktronics All-America Second Team, first team All-Atlantic Region, All-PSAC West First Team, and honorable mention Academic All-District honors.
