SPRING 2009

men's and women's soccert teams score outstanding seasons

For the men’s soccer team, this season was one for the record books. Shorter won their first regular season conference title and had first-time program wins over Berry College, Lee University, Auburn-Montgomery and Southern Polytechnic. They peaked in the NAIA Top 25 standings in mid-season, reaching No. 16.

Head Coach Josh Severns was named the SSAC Coach of the Year, his first such award. Three Hawks - Robert Whitnell (pictured at right), Kyle Timberlake and Sebastian Stihler - were named to the All-Conference First Team, and Anthony O’Garro and Dallas Dickerson were name Second Team. Whitnell also received high recognition as the first Hawk to be named NAIA All-American.

“Whitnell has been an incredible player on this team since I’ve known him,” said Severns, who came to Shorter in 2005. “He helped to make this incredible year for the whole team.” Whitnell led the team in goals with an impressive 15, tacking on eight assists. Timberlake followed with four goals and two assists on the year, and Stihler had three goals (one of which was the game-winning first goal against nationally-ranked AUM). Seven Shorter players were named to the year All-Academic list: Dallas Dickerson, Elliott Livesey, Anthony O’Garro, Aaron Pas, Stihler, Kyle Timberlake, and Ryan Timberlake. “As a team, we stress that what happens in the classroom is just as important as what happens on the field,” said Severns. “When you have your head in the right spot, a lot of good things will take place.”

The women’s team also advanced to the semi-finals in the Southern States Athletic Conference tournament with a overtime win over Reinhardt College. In the year-end women’s soccer awards, Lady Hawk Pauline Van Der Henst was named First Team All-Conference. Van Der Henst played in 17 games this season, tallying a team-leading 12 goals and four assists. Last year, Van Der Henst was named All-Conference Second Team and in 2006 was named to the first team. She is the only current Lady Hawk to be recognized on each All-Conference team, each year she has played.

Seven Shorter players received conference All-Academic honors. They are Mallory Barnes, Randi Brown, Renee Glenfield, Jessica Hoskinson, Sarah Locklear, Lynde Pas, and Racine Romain.