Azusa Pacific University Athletics

THIS YEAR: Perhaps the top returning midfielder in the GSAC, senior Rachel Evans figures to maintain her leadership role in the midfield … Will generate the majority of the Cougars’ offensive flow … Rated an outstanding dribbler with good vision ... Is an outstanding athlete who has great skills and reads the game well.

2001: One of 7 Cougars named All-GSAC … Started all 18 games in which she played … Missed 1 game vs. Long Beach State while nursing an injury … Scored 3 goals and had 4 assists for 10 points … Registered a goal and an assist in the Cougars’ 11-0 win over Fresno Pacific … Tallied an assist in wins over Notre Dame de Namur in the NAIA Region II semifinals and again against Indiana Wesleyan in the Cougars’ 5-1 win in the opening round of the NAIA Tournament.

2000: Started 23 games for the GSAC champion Cougars . . . Scored the most important goal of her college career when her 20-yard rifle in the 112th minute lifted Azusa Pacific to a 2-1 sudden-death victory over Westmont in the NAIA Region II Championship . . . Also scored goals in nonconference victories over Concordia (Ore.) and British Columbia.

1999: Played her 1999 freshman season at first-year program Point Loma Nazarene ... Led the team with 37 shots … Tallied 3 points … Her lone goal of the season was the game-winner in a 1-0 victory over Vanguard ... Was the only freshman named to the All-GSAC team.

HIGH SCHOOL: Was a 4-time all-league pick at Maranatha High in Pasadena, Calif., from which she graduated in 1999 … Led Maranatha to the 1997 and 1998 CIF championships … Named team MVP as a 1999 senior … Started as a freshman on the Minutemen’s team that advanced to the 1996 CIF quarterfinals . . . Also lettered 4 years in volleyball, earning all-league recognition as a senior … Played 1 season of varsity softball as a freshman.

PERSONAL: Born Sept. 22, 1981, in Pasadena, Calif., to Joel and Carol Evans … Is 1 of 6 children … Older brother Matt was an All-American midfielder and 2-time GSAC Player of the Year on the Cougar men’s soccer team from 1998-2001 … Older sister Becca was an All-GSAC third baseman in softball at Point Loma Nazarene … Majoring in social work and wants to teach on the junior high or high school level.