Mercer’s Gassie, Blackman Named to A-Sun All-Conference Second Team

MACON, Ga. (MERCER RELEASE) – Juniors Lauren Gassie and Washida Blackman were both named to the Atlantic Sun All-Conference second team as announced by the league office on Thursday afternoon.

With Blackman and Gassie both being selected as All-Conference second team performers, Mercer has now had at least two players named All-Conference members in each of the last eight seasons.

“I am very proud of Washida and Lauren being recognized by my fellow head coaches in the conference,” head coach Tony Economopoulos said. “They have both done a great job for us this year in helping us reach postseason play. It just shows what great work ethic they both have and that all the extra time they both put it pays off and helps make our team better as a whole.”

Gassie continues to show that she is one of the top midfielders in the A-Sun Conference by putting up impressive numbers on the offensive side of the pitch. The Winter Park, Fla. native finished this season tied for second on the team and tied for 10th in the A-Sun with 14 points on four goals and six assists. Gassie had arguably her best game of the season in Tuscaloosa when she scored a goal and assisted on the eventual game-winning tally in a 2-1 win over SEC member Alabama on Sept. 1.

For Blackman, the All-Conference second team selection is the second postseason award of her career after being named to the A-Sun All-Freshman team in 2011. Blackman finished 2013 leading the team and ranking tied for sixth in the A-Sun with 16 points on six goals and four assists. The Snellville, Ga. product posted career-highs in 2013 in points, goals and assists and with her two game-winning goals this season moved into a tie for fifth in Mercer program history with six game-winning goals.

East Tennessee State sophomore midfielder Sarah Zadrazil was named the A-Sun Conference Player of the Year, Jacksonville senior Alexandra Lee took home A-Sun Defender of the Year while Florida Gulf Coast’s Jim Blankenship was named the A-Sun Conference Coach of the Year.

Gassie, Blackman and the rest of the Bears return to action on November 2 when it welcomes Stetson into town for the first round of the A-Sun Championship. Game time is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Bear Field.