Azusa Pacific women's soccer head coach Brooke Lincoln has announced seven student-athletes to the 2020 signing class. This upcoming season, Jaci Maze, Sydney Smith, Alondra Toledo, Bella Hara, Kylie Carwitz, Makenzie Jerome and Tara Hansel will join the Cougar program. Six of the signees are current high school seniors, while Hansel is a junior college transfer from Santiago Canyon College.

Jaci Maze | Forward | 5'6" | Visalia, Calif. | Tulare Union HS

Maze joins the Cougars following her senior year at Tulare Union, where she helped lead the Tribe to a second-place finish in the CIF Central Section Division II playoffs. The Tribe also claimed two East Yosemite League championships, in her sophomore season (2017-18) and senior season (2019-20). She was a three-time First-Team EYL performer, and was named the League MVP in her senior season. Maze has also collected many other awards and honors, including the 2020 Heisman High School Student-Athlete California State Award and national finalist and the 2018-19 President's Volunteer Award (100 hours of community service). Academically, she finished at the top of her class at Tulare Union, and served as the Vice President of the California Scholarship Federation, where she is now a lifetime member.

Coach Lincoln on Jaci: "She seeks excellence in every area of her life and I'm excited for her to bring that to our program and locker room. She's very coachable, determined, gritty, and a competitor. I believe she will truly blossom at Azusa Pacific."

Jaci on why she chose the Cougars: "I chose Azusa Pacific because of the community and their commitment to excellence. From the minute I stepped on campus, I knew that the Christ-centered community was dedicated to building genuine relationships that would support, encourage and inspire me. Their commitment to high academics, diversity, wisdom and living out Christ's mission are just a few ways they stood out as an excellent Christan University and the place I wanted to be."

Sydney Smith | Forward | 5'3" | Clovis, Calif. | Clovis North HS


Smith joins Azusa Pacific by way of Clovis, Calif., a city that has produced several great Cougar athletes over the years. In her senior season, she led Clovis North to a 22-2-2 overall record and a 9-1 record in the Tri-River Athletic Conference. Smith scored eight goals and had 11 assists for the Broncos, who claimed the TRAC title and the Division I Valley Championship. Smith, the team captain, was named First-Team All-TRAC. Outside of competition with her high school squad, Smith played for the Alliance soccer club, where she also served as a team captain.  Off the pitch, Smith served on the Athletic Leadership Council as a junior and senior, she is a lifetime member of the California Scholarship Federation, and a member of the National Honor Society.

Coach Lincoln on Sydney: "Sydney is a quick front player who looks to combine and move off the ball to create opportunities. She works hard and will help our attack by creating chances for her teammates and herself."

Sydney on why she chose the Cougars: "I knew Azusa Pacific was the right college for me instantly because I knew what I was looking for, which was a great education and a chance to continue my soccer career! When I visited the campus, it was such a positive and faith driven atmosphere that made me feel at home. The Cougar soccer team and coaches were so welcoming and made me feel like a part of their family. I knew Azusa Pacific was part of God's plan and path for me!"

Alondra Toledo | Forward | 5'3" | Eastvale, Calif. | Eleanor Roosevelt HS

Toledo wrapped up a four-year varsity career at Roosevelt, where she was a key piece in the Mustangs' success. In her senior season, she scored three goals and had four assists, helping Roosevelt to a 16-9-3 overall record and a 6-2-2 record in the Big VIII League. In all four years of Toledo's career, the Mustangs were CIF qualifiers. She was also an Academic All-League selection. During club season, Toledo played for Legends FC. With her club, she won multiple championships, including the Southern California Developmental Soccer League title, SCDSL Discovery title, and California Regional League title. Legends FC also claimed a regional championship and were National Cup Finalists.

Coach Lincoln on Alondra: "Alondra is a dynamic, versatile front player. She plays with pace, makes good runs, and gets into good spaces. Both her and I believe there is a lot of room for growth in her play and I believe she has the potential to create a lot of chances for us."

Alondra on her decision to join the Cougars: "I chose Azusa Pacific because I want to be somewhere that feels like home. I have no doubt that I'll be given the opportunity each day to grow as a person, player, and teammate overall. I know that I'll be surrounded by such a supportive group of girls that I'll eventually be able to call family." 

Bella Hara | Goalkeeper | 5'7" | San Diego, Calif. | Mt. Carmel HS

Hara played a season of varsity soccer for the Mt. Carmel Sun Devils, and the San Diego Surf Soccer Club. During her lone season with the Sun Devils, Hara garnered various awards and helped Mt. Carmel to a 16-7-6 overall record, and a 4-2-2 record in the Palomar League. She posted a 92.3% save percentage with 262 saves, and had 11 shutouts. She was named Co-MVP, First-Team All CIF in the San Diego section, First-Team All-Palomar League, and the Mt. Carmel Athlete of the Month. Academically, she maintained a 4.0 GPA, earning San Diego Tribune Academic Scholar recognition and making the honor roll all four years. With the Surf, she also had 11 shutouts and was a part of the Development Academy National Finalist team in 2018-19. She was also named Top Drawer Soccer DA weekly standout on three occasions.

Coach Lincoln on Bella: "Bella is a hardworking goalkeeper. She is a great shot stopper and will help increase the competition among our goalkeepers. She also strives for excellence in the classroom by using the same hard working mentality and we are thrilled to have her!"

Bella on joining the Cougars: "When I first visited the university and practiced with the team, I fell in love with the ambition, support, and high level that the coaches and team brought. I saw the energy and love for God that was present in the atmosphere and knew that was something I wanted to be a part of. I now know that choosing APU was all a part of God's plan for my life and I am extremely excited for what's to come."

Kylie Carwitz | Defender | 5'9" | Scottsdale, Ariz. | Veritas Preparatory Academy

Carwitz closed out her career at Veritas Prep as the school's second all-time leading goal scorer, with 28 career goals. During her sophomore season, she was named First-Team All-Division and All-Conference. Carwitz played for two club teams, spending three straight years with the Sereno Soccer Club, which has been renamed the Utah Royals FC-AZ, and then one year with the SC Del Sol of the Development Academy, before returning to the Royals this season. With the U18/19 Royals, Carwitz and her teammates have been ranked among the top-15 teams in the nation by Top Drawer Soccer. Carwitz is also ranked as the 14^th-best player for U18/19 in the Southwest and Rocky Mountain Region by Top Drawer Soccer.

Coach Lincoln on Kylie: "What excites me most about Kylie is how much she loves the game. You can't teach passion and Kylie is passionate about the game which contagious. She has played at a high level, has a high soccer IQ, and is a versitile player. I'm excited about the person and player Kylie is and know she's going to make our program better."

Kylie on her decision to join the Cougars: "I chose Azusa Pacific for its community. It was the only school that gave me what I wanted academically, athletically, and spiritually. I have always been a soccer player and a Christian, but Azusa Pacific gives me the unique chance to bring those two together."

Makenzie Jerome | Defender | 5'7" | Bend, Ore. | Bend HS

Jerome will head to Southern California from the Pacific Northwest, where she earned a reputation for being a terrific defender. The four-year varsity starter was named as a top-10 defender in the state of Oregon by Oregon Live during the 2019-20 season. She helped Bend reach the state playoffs all four of her varsity seasons, and she was a Mountain Valley Conference First-Team selection in 2017 & 2018. She also served as team captain for three seasons. Jerome played for two clubs, the Crossfire United of the ECNL and the Bend FC Timbers. In 2018, Crossfire United competed in the ECNL National Tournament. With the Timbers, Jerome competed in four State Cups, reaching the semifinals in 2018. She served as a team captain for the Timbers all four seasons.

Coach Lincoln on Makenzie: "What sets Makenzie a part is she's a ball winner! We are excited about the physicality she's going to bring to the program as she will make those around her tougher. Makenzie bleeds brick and we are thrilled to have her at Azusa Pacific."

Makenzie on her future at Azusa Pacific: ""I chose Azusa Pacific because of the incredible atmosphere that surrounds it. I love the type of person Azusa Pacific draws in, and creates. My parents, and many other family members, attended the university. They all had nothing but great experiences and were successful in their lives in large part due to Azusa Pacific. Becoming a part of the Cougar family was extremely desirable to me."

Tara Hansel | Forward | 5'9" | Corona, Calif. | Santiago Canyon College

Hansel brings a championship mentality and pedigree to the Cougars. At Santiago Canyon College, Hansel was a huge piece of an offensive attack that led the Hawks to back-to-back State Championships. During her two seasons with the Hawks, SCC went 43-4-2, including 24-0 in 2018. In 2019, Hansel scored a team-high nine goals and had eight assists. The season before, she tallied seven goals and four assists.

Coach Lincoln on Tara: "Tara comes from championship caliber programs and her experience will look to help us right away. She's a versatile player in that she can be a target 9, but also contribute at the 7 or 11. She is a competitor and will be exemplary on and off the field."

Tara on joining the Cougars: "I chose Azusa Pacific not only because it's my "dream school" but because the team is like a family that is centered in God. They challenge each other on the field and in the classroom and I think it is a perfect fit for me."

Evelina Von Euler | Forward | 5'7" | Norrtaelje, Sweden | University of Charleston

Von Euler arrives to Azusa Pacific after spending her freshman season at the University of Charleston (West Virginia). With Charleston, she appeared in 12 matches and started seven of them, scoring two goals and registering two assists. Both of her goals were game-winners. Prior to Charleston, Von Euler excelled at various levels of play in European youth soccer. She has played for two European division 1 teams, including the All Athletes Club (AIK G16-19) in Stockholm. While with AIK, she scored 16 goals and contributed half of her team's assists, while her team had both second and third place finishes. Her team had the opportunity to play Atletico de Madrid, a team made up of 90% of Spain's youth team, and they tied. Von Euler herself gained junior national team experience when she played with Bollstanas Youth 19 All Stars. Off the pitch, Von Euler had a 3.2 GPA and earned an economics diploma in high school, while also setting up a marketing plan for a business and being awarded an entrepreneur diploma as well.
 
Coach Lincoln on Evelina: "I could not be more excited to have Evelina a part of the program. International players always bring a special flare and appreciation for the game. Evelina has good pace, technical ability, and a high soccer IQ. She will look to make an immediate impact as she creates problems for opposing defenders. I am excited to welcome her here to the Azusa Pacific family."
 
Evelina on why she chose Azusa Pacific: "Azusa Pacific has high standards for their students, and the coaching staff has a broad knowledge of soccer. When seeing the school online and researching it, it looked like an amazing environment and community. For these reasons, I chose to begin a new adventure in my personal development at Azusa Pacific.

Azusa Pacific, who finished 9-7-2 overall in 2019, returns a core group of players while eagerly anticipating the arrival of the 2020 signing class this upcoming season. The Cougars are scheduled to open the new season on September 3, when they travel to Cal State San Marcos for the regular season opener. The Cougars will play two exhibitions prior to Sept. 3 (Aug. 22 vs. Claremont-Mudd-Scripps & Aug. 29 at Redlands). Click here to view the entire 2020 schedule.