Nikki Atkinson

Height:
5-6
Class:
Junior
High School:
McIntosh HS
Hometown:
Peachtree City, Ga.

2012

Came into her junior season with lofty expectations after being named the 2012 Atlantic Sun Conference Preseason Goalkeeper of the Year … Split time in net with Maggie Cropp, giving Coach Economopoulos two viable options in goal … Appeared in 13 games, making nine starts … Finished with a 4-2-1 record and ranked fourth in the A-Sun with a 1.13 goals against average … Was the Bears starting goalkeeper in their regular season opener that resulted in a 1-1 tie against Southern Mississippi (Aug. 17) … Notched her lone start-to-finish shutout of the 2012 campaign by making three saves in a 1-0 win over South Alabama (Aug. 19) … Played at least one half in eventual Mercer shutout victories over Alabama A&M (Aug. 31), Alcorn State (Sept. 9) and USC Upstate (Sept. 28).

2011

Played in 12 of the Bears’ 20 games last season, including eight starts … Her eight starts all came in the final eight games of the season, including three in the A-Sun Championship … Played a total of 854 minutes in goal and allowed just seven goals for a 0.74 goals against average … Finished atop the A-Sun in goals against average and was fifth in save percentage … Finished the year 3-3-2 with three shutouts, which led the team … Her 29 saves on the year were second-best on the squad … Recorded the first win of her career in a 1-0 triumph over Kennesaw State (Oct. 14) … Posted her second shutout the following week in a 1-0 victory at USC Upstate (Oct. 21) … Set a career-high with seven saves in a 1-1 tie against Jacksonville in the A-Sun Championship (Oct. 28) … The third win of her career came in the semi-finals of the A-Sun Championship as she shutout ETSU 1-0 (Nov. 4) … Made six saves to help push the A-Sun Championship title game to overtime against FGCU (Nov. 6).

2010

Played in seven games as a true freshman for a total of 187 minutes in goal for the Bears … Gave up just three goals and posted an impressive 1.44 goals against average as a freshman, which was second-best on the team … Was third on the team with five saves on the year … Made a season-high three saves in a 2-2 tie at Samford (Aug. 27) … Also saw a season-high 65 minutes played in the Samford game … Did not receive the decision in any of the six other games she played in, but was instrumental in two wins for the Bears.

High School

Was a four-year player for the McIntosh Chiefs under head coach Marsha Clark … As a sophomore was named the Region 2 AAAA Keeper of the Year … In 2009, had a 1.26 goals against average and posted nine shutouts … In 2008, had a sub 1.00 goals against average (0.91 GAA) and nine shutouts … Has been in the Georgia Olympic Development Program for five years … Was a part of her U-18 AFC Lightening Region III Championship team … Was also a member of the Atlanta Fire United U-16 State Cup Championship team.

Personal

Born on February 26, 1992 to Carol and Bobby Atkinson in Atlanta, Georgia … Chose Mercer because the high academic reputation over the likes of Kennesaw State, The College of Charleston and Harvard … Planning on majoring in business.