Azusa Pacific University Athletics

THIS YEAR:  Spearheading the Cougars’ top-ranked defense, senior All-American Stephanie Bays continues to be a dominating force in the Cougar line-up … Has the ability to play anywhere on the field but will again start the season in the defense … Is one of the top defenders in the NAIA and could push for a second straight All-American honor … Will need to continue to recover from off-season knee surgery but should be ready to go by the season opener … Has an unmatched understanding of the game that gives her a decided advantage … Was a Division I recruit out of high school but opted for Azusa Pacific instead. 

2003:  Started all 14 games she played before suffering a season-ending knee injury late in the year … Still managed to earn her third straight All-GSAC nod as well as NAIA All-American second team honors … Scored 4 goals and had 2 assists (10 points) while splitting time between the attack and defense … Had the game-tying goal in the final second of regulation in a 2-2 tie with Concordia … Scored the game-winning goal and had 2 assists in the win over Christian Heritage … Scored single goals against John Brown (Ark.) and Vanguard … Led a Cougar defense that posted 6 straight shutouts to start the season … Cougars were 10-1-3 with Bays in the line-up (3-3-0 with her out).

2002:  Split time between the attacking third and defending third while starting all 20 games … Was second on the team with 20 points and 9 goals and earned her second straight All-GSAC selection … Also tallied a pair of assists … Had a pair of 2-goal games vs. Hope International (Oct. 15) and Christian Heritage (Nov. 2) … Scored at least 1 goal in the final 4 games of the season and 5 of the final 6 … Scored 2 game-winners and fired 73 shots (44 on goal) … Spent the majority of time as a sweeper, anchoring a defense that allowed just 0.73 goals per game and recorded 10 shutouts. 

2001:  Started 18 of 19 games … One of 5 freshman named to the 2001 All-GSAC team … Proved to be very versatile, playing nearly every position on the field … Moved to the back near the end of the season and anchored a defense that allowed just 4 goals in the final 7 games … Was fourth on the team with 9 goals and 19 points … Scored her first collegiate goal in a 3-0 win over CS San Bernardino (Aug. 30) … Gave the Cougars a 1-0 lead in the 54^th minute of their 3-1 win over Notre Dame de Namur in the NAIA Region II semifinals … Put together a string where she had at least 1 point in 5 straight GSAC games … Scored a pair of goals in an 11-0 win over Fresno Pacific … Scored 7 goals and tallied 1 assist in 10 GSAC games. 

HIGH SCHOOL:  Played 4 varsity seasons and was a 3-time captain for Jason Montgomery at Etiwanda High … Was a 4-time All-CIF first team and All-Mt. Baldy League selection … Named Mt. Baldy League MVP and San Bernardino Sun Inland Valley Player of the Year as a 2000 junior … Led the Eagle’s to 2 Mt. Baldy League titles. 

PERSONAL:  Born July 10, 1983, to Rick and Virginia Bays in Upland, Calif. … Has 1 brother (Craig) … Majoring in liberal studies … Enjoys snowboarding