May 1, 2006

Erie, Pa. - Six people were honored recently at the annual soccer Awards Dinner. Jason Pedra, Daniel Mudd, and Josh Long won accolades for the men while Lisa Casement, Sarah Powell and Jacque Sluga picked up awards on the women's squad.

Junior midfielder Pedra was named the team's Most Valuable Player, goaltender Mudd was named team Rookie of the Year, and senior midfielder Long was chosen Most Improved.

Pedra played in 19 of 20 games last season. He scored three goals and added four assists for ten points. Following the season, he was named to the All Great Lakes Region Second Team and the All-GLIAC First Team.

Mudd played every second in goal for the Lakers in his maiden season and finished with a record of 8-8-4. He had a save percentage of .760 and recorded six shutouts. He was selected to the All-GLIAC Second Team.

Long played in 16 games and scored one goal.

Mercyhurst finished the season at 8-8-4 overall and went 6-1-1 in its final eight games.

Meanwhile, junior forward Lisa Casement, freshman forward Sarah Powell, and sophomore M/D Jacque Sluga won MVP, Rookie, and Most Improved Player Awards respectively.

Casement played in all 20 games for the Lakers who finished the season at 15-5-0. She was named GLIAC Women's Soccer Offensive Player of the Year and led the team with 26 goals and 66 points. She finished second on the squad with 14 assists and 95 shots. Casement was also tops with six game-winning goals and 46 shots on goal.

Powell was chosen to the All-GLIAC Second Team. She played in all 20 games as a freshman and was second with 17 goals, 50 points, 40 shots on goal and tied for second with three game-winning goals. She led the team with 16 assists and 98 total shots.

Sluga played in all 20 games and had five goals and three assists for 13 points. Two of her markers were game-winners and two resulted from penalty kicks. She is a member of the GLIAC All-Academic Team.