After tying the best start in school history, Emory University finished the 2003 season with a 14-5-0 record, the fourth-highest win total in school history. The Eagles finished the season with 10 or more wins for the 15th consecutive year
Amid a school-record tying 9-1 start, Emory was ranked at No. 10 in the nation, its highest ranking of the season. The team was nationally ranked in seven of the 11 top-25 polls this season released by the coaches association.
As a team, Emory yielded eight goals, tying a school record set in 1998 and 2000. The Eagles' 0.42 GAA is third best in school history behind the 1998 team (0.34) and 2000 team (0.36).
Among the season's notable games were 1-0 contests against two of the top-10 ranked teams in the country. The Eagles beat the eventual University Athletic Association champion and lost a 1-0 overtime game to the eventual national runner-up.
Two of Emory's five losses came against teams that were ranked
in the top five nationally in NCAA Division III and one loss came
against a Division I opponent.
The Eagles were 7-1 at home and over the last seven years have
compiled a 58-7-6 home record. Emory returns nine of its starters
next season.
The following Eagles received post-season honors:
All-Region (National Soccer Coaches Association of America) | ||
Jenna Kereiakes | Second Team | Cincinnati, OH (Indian Hill) |
Nancy Wilson | Second Team | Mt. Pleasant, SC (Bishop England) |
All-Conference (University Athletic Association) | ||
Jenna Kereiakes | First Team | Cincinnati, OH (Indian Hill) |
Nancy Wilson | Second Team | Mt. Pleasant, SC (Bishop England) |
Jessie Dean | Honorable Mention | Boca Raton, Fl (St. Andrews) |
Amy Franciscovich | Honorable Mention | Frederick, MD (Governor Thomas Johnson) |
Laurel O'Neal | Honorable Mention | Chapel Hill, NC (East Chapel Hill) |
Jessie Dean
Freshman midfielder Jessie Dean was given an honorable mention on
the all-conference team. Dean was one of two Emory freshmen to
receive the honor. Dean finished the season with two goals and
three assists. Both of her goals were game-winning goals, which
tied her for the team lead in the category.
Amy Franciscovich
Sophomore goalie Amy Franciscovich was named to the CoSIDA Academic
All-District first team and received honorable mention for the
all-conference team. Franciscovich set a school record with 12
shutouts on the season. She holds Emory's career record for solo
shutouts with 17. Franciscovich finished the season with a 0.43
goals against average (GAA), tying the second-best mark in school
history and was ranked 10th in the nation in GAA. Franciscovich's
79 saves is the second-best season total by an Emory goalie. Her
career total of 144 saves ties for third highest in Emory history.
Jenna Kereiakes
Sophomore forward Jenna Kereiakes was selected to the all-region
second team and the all-conference first team. She led the Eagles
in points (26), goals (12), shots (54), and shots on goal (30),
despite missing four games due to injury. It is her second
consecutive season leading the team in points, goals, and shots on
goal. Kereiakes is tied for seventh in Emory history with a career
goal total of 21.
Laurel O'Neal
Freshman defender Laurel O'Neal received an honorable mention on
the all-conference team. O'Neal was one of two Emory freshmen to
receive the honor. O'Neal started 19 games on a defense that
yielded eight goals this season, tying a school record, and
compiled a 0.42 GAA, third best in school history. O'Neal had two
assists this season, including the game-winning assist against Case
Western Reserve.
Nancy Wilson
Sophomore midfielder Nancy Wilson was selected to the all-region
second team and the all-conference first team. Wilson led Emory in
assists (6), and shooting percentage (.250), and was second on the
team in points with 22. She tied for first on the team with two
game-winning goals, including the game winner in the Eagles' season
finale.
Written by Jeremy Stahl, Emory sports information assistant