Women's Soccer 2023 Season Preview
Providence Christian College women's soccer opens the 2023 campaign hosting Bethesda of Anaheim, CA on Friday August 25th. Head Coach Todd Elkins returns a solid core of eight players from the 2022 team and has added some outstanding new talent. The Lady Sea Beggars are positioned to make a statement this season as they look to build on the foundation laid last year.
The Lady Sea Beggars will be led by junior captains Faith Huston and Janelle Lopez. When asked about what she was looking forward to this season Faith said, "This season I am looking forward to the continued building and strengthening of our program. This year, we have gained numerous freshman and transfer students, and they have already shown how valuable they can be to the team. We have all jumped into the preseason games and practices with great attitudes and an excitement to play. We are all very eager for the season ahead and ready for the challenges we will face." Janelle added, "this season I am excited for the challenge of progressing as a team. This team has come in with so much passion and love for the game and has already taken it to the field. So far, the new members have shown their willingness and determination to grow as a team." Both leaders were asked what the Providence community should expect to see from the Lady Sea Beggars in 2023 and they spoke with unity on the determination and resiliency that's been demonstrated. Faith said, "The Providence community should expect remarkable resilience and determination this year as we face our competition head-on." Janelle expanded saying, "The Providence community should expect to see determination, passion, and will from the Lady Sea Beggars. This year won't be an easy ride to say the least, but the team is ready and willing to take on all that comes with it."
Coach Elkins added six recruits to his retuning squad, and they have already proven to be great additions and should help continue to elevate Lady Sea Beggar soccer. Of the six recruits, four are freshman and two are upperclassmen. One of the upperclassmen is Alyssa Acuna who makes her return to Providence after having played at Division II Holy Names the past two years. Alyssa brings great field experience to the Lady Sea Beggars and looks to be an added threat up top. Junior transfer Alexandra Meza will add experience and stability to the team as well and should add a possession style player in the midfield.
Returning in goal for Providence is junior Faith Huston, who consistently demonstrated the ability to make big saves in 2022. She will no doubt pick up where she left off. Sophomores Jaden Burrell and Isabell Pecunes will do some heavy lifting this year as they anchor the middle of the field and look to put constant pressure on opponents. Juniors Janelle Lopez, Hannah Aranda, and Ellie Jung, as well as sophomore Evelyn Jurgens will help hold down the back line, with the addition of freshman Riley Cervantes and Natalie Zamora. Freshman Sutton Denny and Georgia Hoogstra have made an immediate impact and will look to cause havoc as they run the flanks. Sophomore Isabella Henao makes her Providence debut this year after having sat out the 2022 campaign with an injury. Isabella should help elevate the level of play with her athleticism and ability to possess.
Coach Todd Elkins added some great experience to his coaching staff as well with the addition of Erin Brunelle. Coach Brunelle spent the previous fourteen seasons coaching at Biola University, eight of which she was the head coach of the women's team. She brings a wealth of experience and knowledge that will certainly benefit the Lady Sea Beggars, as well as her relational coaching style that has already produced dividends. When asked about joining the Sea Beggars staff, Coach Brunelle said, "I am thankful for the opportunity to coach at Providence and am thrilled to be coaching alongside Todd Elkins once again. I look forward to helping the women's soccer program develop and compete well within the Cal Pac and NAIA. I'm excited to start building relationships with the ladies as we all learn and grow in our walks with Christ and become unified as a team."
When asked about the upcoming season, coach Elkins said, "Our team has been working hard through the first three weeks together and are getting better each day. We will strive together to compete well in each game and persevere through challenges. The ladies are hungry for wins, and we hope to build off their enthusiasm and desire to improve day by day." When asked about how the new additions will contribute to the Lady Sea Beggar team this season, coach Todd said, "Our freshmen and transfers have acclimated well and will provide strong contributions alongside the veteran returners. The versatility of a lot of our student-athletes will help us to stay competitive throughout the season."
The Lady Sea Beggars will be an exciting squad to watch in 2023 so be sure to cheer them on this season. For all game times and locations go to www.seabeggars.com or to watch games live go to www. https://portal.stretchinternet.com/providencecc/.