BLUEFIELD, Va. -
Of
the 198 schools that sponsor NAIA women's
soccer, the 2012 Rams were the third most improved team according to
the final NAIA statistics. Bluefield College posted a 9-10-1 record this
season after going 2-16-1, good for a win-loss improvement of +6.5.
Bluefield
College was just edged out by fellow Mid-South Conference member
Cumberland (Tenn.) who achieved a +7 improvement while Viterbo (Wis.)
made
the nation's best turnaround with a win-loss improvement of +12.5 as
they posted a 15-3-1 after a 2-15-1 record last season.
Northwest
Christian (Ore.) who improved on last season's 1-15-0 mark with a 7-8-2
record in 2012, Northwood (Texas) who finished the year with an
11-5-2 mark after a 6-13-1 record a year ago and South Carolina
Beaufort who took a 1-15-0 mark in 2011 and finished 2012 with a 9-10-0
record also had a win-loss improvement of +6.5 for the top-six most
improved teams in the NAIA.
"What
a great testament to the hard work these young women put in this past
season, which helped attain this achievement," said Chase Neidig who led
the Rams in 2012.
The
Rams nine victories were the most for the program. In addition,
Bluefield recorded its first multiple wins in conference play ever. Of
BC's nine
victories, five came via shutout, the most clean sheets in team
history. The Red, White & Blue also recorded a 22 goal improvement
on the year before (18 to 40) and allowed
"It
is an honor and privilege to have been part of such a remarkable and
historic change for BC women's soccer," said co-captain Callan Camin.
"It's
made the whole team more driven than ever."
The Beachwood, Ohio, native set the single-season and career record for assists (10) in her first season with the Rams.
"As a freshman coming in I couldn't have asked to be anywhere else," said Enajah Winbush.
The
freshman forward from Woodbrige, Va., earned Mid-South Conference
Honorable Mention accolades after scoring seven goals including three
game winners
broke the program's record for goals (7) and points (16) by a true
freshman.
"I
am thrilled for each of the players who were a part of the success that
went on this year, and am blessed to have a part in helping make
history
at Bluefield College in 2012," said Neidig.
Last season out of the 200 women's soccer programs in the NAIA Viterbo finished 187th with a .138 winning percentage while Bluefield finished
189th with a winning percentage of .132 two places behind
the La Crosse, Wis., squad before both programs made a drastic
improvement. Viterbo took their success this season as they advanced to
the NAIA National Tournament after winning the Midwest
Collegiate Conference regular season and tournament titles for the
first time in program history after a 2-15-1 record a year ago.
Bluefield
who'd only won a single conference game in their history was picked to
finish last in the 10 team Mid-South Conference circuit. The Rams
won a program record four conference games and finished sixth, earning a
berth in the MSC quarterfinals and hosted Union (Tenn.) in the NCCAA
Mid-East Regional Tournament in their first NCCAA postseason game in
Rams history.
"We
had a great group this year and really turned this around for the
better," said sophomore Braley Freire. "It feels good to win and be part
of
a successful program who has set many record."
Freire
a sophomore midfielder from New Bedford, Mass., scored four goals and
provided three assists a year ago was one of nine players who returned
to the Rams after their 2-16-1 mark and made 17 starts and added a pair
of goals and two assists in their historic 2012 campaign.
"For
the coaching staff it wasn't our only goal to change the win-loss
column, but rather it was our desire to see the culture of the program
turn
in a direction that would allow for success on the pitch," Neidig
concluded.
Winbush echoed Neidig, "I think it was a very successful season, and there will be nothing but better coming for us."
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