Oklahoma State University Athletics
Cowgirl Stars Franch And Mercado Honored
November 18, 2010 | Cowgirl Soccer
Nov. 18, 2010
LONG BEACH, Calif. – Oklahoma State stars AD Franch and Melinda Mercado have been named to the 2010 TopDrawerSoccer.com Women's Team of the Season, it was announced by the online publication today.
Franch, a sophomore goalkeeper for the Cowgirls, was named to the TopDrawerSoccer.com Team of the Season First Team, while Mercado, a junior defender, was selected to the third team.
In leading OSU to a school-record 19 wins and the first NCAA Sweet 16 appearance in program history, Franch and Mercado have anchored a defense that is among the best in the nation. The Cowgirls have allowed just 19 goals in 24 games while posting nine shutouts, and their 0.77 goals against average leads the Big 12 Conference.
A two-time All-Big 12 First Team selection and native of Salina, Kan., Franch has started every game for the Cowgirls this season and has logged nearly 2,200 minutes in goal. She sports a Big 12-best 0.71 goals against average to go along with an .833 save percentage, and she is tied for the conference lead with eight shutouts.
Mercado, who is from Sapulpa, Okla., was named the 2010 Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year and also earned Defensive MVP honors at the Big 12 Soccer Championship for the second-straight year. She has started every game this season and leads OSU with 2,173 minutes played.
Franch and Mercado join Kasey Langdon (2007) and Yolanda Odenyo (2008) as OSU players to be named to the TopDrawerSoccer.com Women's Team of the Season.
