EHS Grads Earn Collegiate Soccer Honors

The Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference announced the 2011 men’s soccer postseason award winners today and three former stars and current Oglethorpe University players received recognition. The winners were highlighted by Mark Lavery earning Defensive Player-of-the Year status. Senior midfielder Aaron Walker was tabbed to the All-SCAC First Team while junior goalkeeper Frank Petersen received a Second Team nod.

The 2011 Oglethorpe men’s soccer team enjoyed a year unlike any other in the program history. The team set a school record by winning 12 straight games during the campaign en route to posting a 17-4-0 overall record. The 17 wins are a program best and the .810 winning percentage is also tops all-time for a team that celebrated 50 years of soccer being played on the campus just this season. The Petrels also posted their best SCAC mark in school history at 8-1 overall on their way to their first SCAC championship. The squad’s success earned the school’s first trip to the NCAA Tournament and gained national attention when the team appeared in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America rankings for the first time in 50 years.

A two-year starter at center back since transferring from the University of Kentucky, Lavery spearheaded an Oglethorpe defense that allowed its fewest goals per game (1.22) since Akin’s 2005 squad that led the league in that category. In addition to controlling the back line with aplomb, Lavery was also a key offensive weapon for the Petrels, tallying six goals and assisting on four others for 16 points on the season. He becomes the first Stormy Petrel to be named SCAC Defensive Player-of-the-Year since the award was instituted in 2003.

Joining Lavery as an All-SCAC First Team member is his former Etowah High School teammate Walker. A four-year starter in the midfield for the Petrels, Walker displayed flair for the dramatic in 2011 as each of his three goals were game-winners for Oglethorpe. His last game-winning goal came in the Petrels 2-0 win over Southwestern to propel Oglethorpe into the SCAC Championship match. He also added seven assists on the season for a total of 13 points.

Junior goalkeeper Petersen collected an All-SCAC Second Team nod for his dazzling play in the net for the Petrels this season. Petersen, who also played with Lavery and Walker at Etowah High School before transferring to Oglethorpe this year from Memphis University, recorded four shutouts in 2011. He posted a 16-3 overall record in net and made 68 saves en route to stopping 76 percent of the on-target attempts at the Oglethorpe goal. He retains one year of eligibility and will return next season to man the Petrels goal.