Azusa Pacific University Athletics

THIS YEAR: All-American Lance Soderberg returns to lead what could be the most talented team he has played on at Azusa Pacific … Has outstanding fundamentals and skills that allow him to a multi-dimension weapon in the Cougar offense … Plays very well around the basket and yet is a good 3-point shooter … Runs the floor extremely well and often times finishes breaks with resounding dunks … Looking to become only the third Cougar ever to earn back-to-back NAIA All-America recognition … Could finish his career among Azusa Pacific’s all-time top 5 scorers … Has appeared in 88 consecutive games, starting the past 69 in a row.

2005: Led Azusa Pacific to its first-ever NAIA title game by averaging team-highs of 14.2 points and 7.1 rebounds while starting all 39 games … Named NAIA All-American second team (only the fourth junior ever in Cougar history to earn first or second team recognition) and All-GSAC first team … Recorded 5 double-doubles, including an impressive 18-point, 17-rebound effort in a victory over Point Loma Nazarene … Also had 18 points and 14 rebounds in another victory over Point Loma Nazarene in the first round of the GSAC Tournament … In 3 games vs. PLNU averaged 19 points and 14.3 rebounds … Had 5 20-point games, including an impressive showing in a win over Westmont in which he had a career-high 25 points to go along with 9 rebounds, 5 assists and a blocked shot … Also had 24 points and 7 rebounds in a victory over No. 12-ranked Lubbock Christian … Had 16 points in the NAIA Tourney victory over No. 1-ranked Mountain State, 3 of which came off an important trey after MSU had rallied to within a point.

2004: Enjoyed a breakout season, particularly during GSAC play, averaging 10.9 points (tops among Cougar returnees) and 5.1 rebounds … Closed the season on a strong note by averaging 14.5 points over the final 10 games, including a season-high 21 in a 3-point victory at Cal Baptist in which he blocked the potential go-ahead shot in the key with 6 seconds left and the Cougars clinging to a 1-point lead … Had 20 double-digit scoring games, including 10 straight to close the season … Recorded his first-ever double-double with 18 points and 13 rebounds (along with 3 assists) in a victory over Spring Arbor (Mich.).

2003: Emerged as a valuable reserve during his 2003 freshman season, averaging 6.7 points and 3.3 rebounds over the course of 31 games … Recorded 9 double-digit point games, including 10 points vs. Occidental in only his second collegiate game … Had 37 points in 2 games vs. Cal Baptist in Azusa, including a season-high 20 in a Feb. 25 regular-season game … Came back with 17 points and 7 rebounds vs. Cal Baptist in a GSAC Tournament first-round victory … Tallied 12 points on 5-for-6 shooting in a road victory over eventual NAIA champ Concordia.

TRACK & FIELD: Competed on Azusa Pacific’s nationally-renowned men’s track & field program during the 2003 and 2004 seasons … Qualified for the NAIA Outdoor Championship meet both years, using a season-best effort of 6’ 9” in the high jump (sixth best mark in school history) to qualify for the 2003 meet … … In 2004, won the GSAC title in the high jump and ran the opening leg on the Cougars’ winning 4x400 relay.

HIGH SCHOOL: Played his first 2 seasons at national powerhouse Mater Dei High in Santa Ana, Calif., before transferring to Centennial High in Corona, Calif., for his junior and senior seasons … Led the Huskies to a 2-year record of 52-7, twice earning team MVP honors for his performance … Named All-CIF second team as a 2002 senior … Helped guide the Huskies to a 28-3 record and the CIF championship game as a 2001 junior … Picked up track & field’s high jump event as a senior and cleared 6’ 10”.

PERSONAL: Born Dec. 21, 1982, in Orange, Calif., to Mark (self-employed) and Karen (teacher) Soderberg … Has 2 brothers (Erik, who played parts of 2 seasons for the Cougars, Brett) … Majoring in liberal studies … Wants to teach.