Azusa Pacific Women's Soccer head coach Brooke Lincoln has announced seven student-athletes to the 2022 signing class. Natalia Bowles, Aubrey Dunaway, Alexis Fuller, Elyse Garcia, Avery Guiel, Sierra Nickelberry, and Nora Oldmark will join the Cougar program this upcoming season.

"I'm very excited about the class we have coming in as it's filled with players who love the game first and foremost," said Lincoln. "We are excited to add a bit more international flair to the roster with Nora joining. Internationals always seem to bring a passion for the game that's contagious. We are also excited because this class will bring in a lot of our attack and provide depth in several different positions. The 2022 class is dynamic, passionate, competitive, and will look to help us take another step forward in chasing a postseason appearance and PacWest title. The fans can expect to see an immediate impact from this class. We are excited to get out there and get to work!"

Natalia Bowles | Forward | San Diego, Calif. 

Bowles joins the program following her senior year at Mt. Carmel High School where she was a captain and helped lead the team to two CIF titles her freshman and sophomore years. She earned honorable mention for her performance on the field, the most goals award, and the victory of honor for sportsmanship for all girls soccer. With her club team, West Coast FC, they placed first in the league two years in a row, earning a 15-2 record this past season. Academically, she was on the honor roll every year and will look forward to being a part of the honors college at Azusa Pacific. 

Coach Lincoln on Natalia: Natalia is a player that will be a joy to be around. She's competitive, works hard, and will be versatile as she can play as a forward or center mid. I look forward to her adding to our team culture and pushing for minutes. 

Natalia on why she chose the Cougars: Azusa Pacific offers so many amazing opportunities for me. It offers more than just an education, it offers friendships for life and people I can surround myself with that will better me. Azusa Pacific offers motivating people that are empowering and spiritual that doesn't compare to anywhere else. The team at Azusa Pacific has such a great bond and is led by an amazing coach who sets great morals for the team! Overall, Azusa Pacific is the school that fits me best and I can't wait to see where my journey leads me these next 4 years!

Aubrey Dunaway | Forward | Honolulu, Hawaii 

Dunaway will join the Cougars after an impressive career at Maryknoll High School in Honolulu, Hawaii. She was a four year varsity player for her high school team who were Division 2 ILH season champs and she was the leading goal scorer for that division. She was awarded state player of the year in her final high school season and was selected to play in the Hawaii All star game alongside the best players in the state. With her club team, Hawaii Surf Soccer Club, they are defending MISO Hawaii State Champions, where she was also the leading goal scorer for the MISO Women's League this past season. On top of her success on the pitch, she completed high school with the highest honors and made the principals list with straight A's. 

Coach Lincoln on Aubrey: Aubrey fits the saying "dynamite comes in small packages!" She's explosive, crafty, and has a nose for goal. She will look to add to our attack right away and we expect her to be able to create in the final third.

Aubrey on why she chose the Cougars: I chose Azusa Pacific because of the family driven program and bond the girls have together. I felt a sense of comfort and welcome immediately from Coach Brooke and the team. The school itself is the perfect environment for me to thrive in and I know I can excel and be the happiest at Azusa Pacific and consider it my second home already. 

Alexis Fuller | Defender | Diamond Bar, Calif. 

Fuller joins the Cougars after graduating from Diamond Bar High School. Fuller earned First Team All-League honors twice in her career, was named the DBHS Offensive Player of the Year twice and was selected as DBHS Varsity Rookie of the year in 2020 where in 20 games she played in, she collected 15 goals. During her career at Diamond Bar, the Brahmas won two league titles in 2022 and 2020. With her club team, Los Angeles Soccer Club, they were undefeated USYS National League PRO Champs. 

Coach Lincoln on Alexis: Alexis is quiet but has a fierce presence on the field. She's versatile  as she can play center back, center mid, or center forward. She's physical, works hard, and will make players around her better. We are excited for this addition. 

Alexis on why she chose the Cougars: I chose Azusa Pacific because of the environment and most importantly how welcomed I felt when I came to see the team. The girls were beyond welcoming to me despite being a late commit. I'm excited for the season to start and to be able to build chemistry as a team. 

Elyse Garcia | Defender | Orange, Calif. 

Garcia arrives at Azusa Pacific by way of Orange Lutheran High School where she was a four year varsity player and AP Art Student. In her time spent at Orange Lutheran, she collected multiple goals per year, including an equalizer header goal v. Yorba Linda High School. In her final season of high school soccer, they made it to the Division 2 quarter finals for the first time in 15 years. She currently plays for California Arsenal ECNL (2019-22), where they were the 2019 National Playoff Cup Champions.

Coach Lincoln on Elyse: Elyse has great character that will make her teammates into better people. She's good on the ball, will be able to help us build out, and will bring a hard working mindset. 

Elyse on why she chose the Cougars: I chose Azusa Pacific because it represents the Christian community that I desired in my college journey. I had a great experience at Orange Lutheran HS and the Azusa Pacific community felt like home. Azusa Pacific has the two majors I am thinking of pursuing and provided the added benefit of me continuing my soccer career.  It also helps that it is within an hour of my home where my family and extended family are near for me to visit.  Once I visited the campus, it was a perfect fit! 

Avery Guiel | Forward | Peoria, Ariz. 

Guiel joins the Cougars following her senior year at Mountain Ridge High School. Guiel emerged as a leader as she was the team captain, top goal scorer, and was on the honor roll her entire senior year. She brings significal club experience as a four year starting player, currently playing for Utah Royals ECNL. She helped lead her old club team, SC Del Sol  to the playoff quarter finals. 

Coach Lincoln on Avery: Avery is a pacey player that can get in behind and stretch defenses. She's played at a very high level for the past couple of years and we are excited to have her skill set on the team. She will also look to create in the attack right away. 

Avery on why she chose the Cougars: I chose Azusa Pacific because I immediately connected with coach Brooke and knew she would be an amazing coach and I connected with the girls as well. I wanted to go somewhere out of state but still close to home and the location of Azusa Pacific is exactly that. I know that I will have an amazing experience and I'm excited for what's to come!

Sierra Nickelberry | Defender | Fontana, Calif. 

Nickelberry joins the Cougars after significal high school and club experience. She attended Etiwanda High School where she played on Varsity from 2020 to 2022 and helped the team claim two league titles with an undefeated season of 10-0 in 2021. A consistent performer on the backline, she was named to the Baseline First Team All-League and 2nd team all CIF her junior and senior years, named the 2021 defensive player of the year at Etiwanda and was selected as a 2022 Outstanding senior in the baseline league. With her club team, she played for Legends FC ECNL 03/04 where they appeared in the ECNL National Play-offs, Surf Cup 2021, and was also a 2017 US Youth Soccer ODP Region IV Champions.

Coach Lincoln on Sierra: Sierra is a dynamic crafty defender that defends well and is explosive in the attack. She will look to make a push at the outside back position right away and will be a player that makes other players around her better.

Sierra on why she chose the Cougars: I chose to attend Azusa Pacific University for their competitive soccer program and the amazing environment and experience they create for the players. I know that attending Azusa Pacific will put me in a position that allows me to thrive and grow in all aspects of life, including academics, soccer, and my faith. 

Nora Oldmark | Midfielder | Bromma, Sweden

Oldmark comes to Azusa Pacific by way of Bromma, Sweden where she played for Bromma Gymnasium and IF Brommapojkarna. In 2022, she was a U17 National Champion, Nordic Champion, and a U19 Runner Up National Champion. In 2020, she was a National State Champion with Stockholm State and a State Champion in the greater Stockholm area with IF Brommapojkarna in 2019. 

Coach Lincoln on Nora: Nora will bring in an international flare we are all excited about. She's pacey, athletic, and will add physicality to our midfield. Nora is a player that loves the game and we are excited about what her mindset will add to the roster. 

Nora on why she chose the Cougars: The first meeting with the coach was wonderful, with the positive attitude and the high ambition the head coach had. Second, the contact I got with existing players on the team gave me great comfort that Azusa Pacific was the right choice for me. Lastly, the location is amazing!

After a third place finish in the PacWest last season and an impressive 11-5-1 overall record, Azusa Pacific will look to take the pitch again for the anticipated 2022 season. After an exhibition match at CS Bakersfield (8/11), the Cougars will open the 2022 season on the road against Cal State San Marcos, which will be the first of eight non-conference matches. On September 30, the PacWest schedule will begin with a home contest against Concordia.