Player Spotlight: Women’s soccer player scores three goals in a single game

A rising star has been spotted on the Mercer Women’s Soccer team; freshman Nicole Icen from Marietta, Georgia, scored three goals in a single game against Davidson College, leading the Bears to victory.

Icen, who plays center forward, first got into soccer after seeing her dad and older sister’s love for the game. That love stuck with Icen as she started her first year at Mercer 

“My favorite part is making a pass that is almost impossible, and it gets through, and everyone is on the edge of their chairs,” said Icen.

Icen’s perspective on soccer changed when she got to Mercer. 

“My whole life, I have been taking soccer lightly,” Icen said. “But since I got to college, it has been a different atmosphere.” 

It was the high stakes of college soccer and the camaraderie of her teammates that made Icen take soccer more seriously. Icen’s performance is also bolstered by her mentality while playing. 

"When I am playing, I don't think about it. I think that is my thing, that is what makes it easier for me to play; my mind is clear," Icen said. “I am way more calm; I used to shoot it way over the goal. I am more composed."

It was this clarity that gave Icen the ability to not only score three goals against Davidson but to go on to score in other games.  

Looking forward to the rest of the season, Icen is hopeful for what the Bears can accomplish. 

"We are really good this year, I hope that we will win our conference,” Icen said. “I have high hopes that if we keep playing the way we know we can, that will break some records."

While the Bears are gearing up for the rest of the season, Icen is gearing up for her business classes and seeing what the future holds for her. 

"I don't know if I will play after college, but it has been really fun playing here. The girls are really great," said Icen.

The full season schedule can be found on the Mercer Athletics page.