We're Back!
We're back! The Providence Christian College women's soccer program took a one-year hiatus for the 2021 season but we're back and ready for action. First year head coach Todd Elkins has worked tirelessly over the year to compile a group of fantastic young ladies and looks to surprise some teams this year. The Lady Sea Beggars have worked extremely hard in their fall camp and hope to make a statement this year as the rebuild continues.
Returning from the 2020 season is senior Mindy Cortes (SR/Cathedral City, CA). Mindy has good speed and should be able to create some good goal scoring opportunities this season. When asked about the upcoming season, Mindy said, "My prayers have been answered as I am blessed to play my last season with a great group of girls. I am looking forward to creating relationships with my team, on and off the field. This is a talented group of girls, and I can't wait to see what we achieve during season. Although there might be few of us, we plan on bringing our best to the field and playing with heart." Also returning are sophomores Ellie Jung (SO/Green Bay, WI) and Janelle Lopez (SO/Upland, CA). Both Ellie and Janelle were 2021 recruits and chose to remain at Providence despite the year long hiatus. They have both worked exceptionally hard this past year to remain in top shape through training with the men's soccer team and through personal conditioning. The leadership of these three ladies will be crucial as coach Elkins will lean on their experience and maturity. Janelle said about the season, "I am incredibly excited to be taking the field this year for Providence. My freshman season was taken away from me due to low numbers of players, and although I had no season, I was overwhelmed with joy just to be able to practice and be a part of the program. So, you can imagine how excited I am to not only be playing but to have a team! So far, I am incredibly optimistic for this season because of the girls who are by my side. These girls are full of perseverance, and although we may be short with numbers, we are not short of heart. I wouldn't want to take on this season with anyone else!" Ellie added, "I am so very excited to be a part of this team and under the leadership of coach Todd. The commitment to Christ, to working for each other, and growing in the game and out of the game. After not having a season last year, it has been such a blessing to be a part of a team. No matter what happens this season, I am thankful to be able to play."
Hannah Aranda (SO/Camarillo, CA) returns to Providence after taking a year away while the program was in hiatus. Hannah defends well and distributes efficiently out of the back. Her experience playing at Providence will be a great addition to the 2022 squad and add important leadership on the field. Victoria Avila (SR/Fullerton, CA) also stepped away from the program for the 2021 season but returns to play and help lead the team as a player coach. Victoria brings years of playing experience that will pay dividends to help rebuild the Lady Sea Beggar program. Courtney Conchola, a 2019 Providence recruit, also returns to play for the Lady Sea Beggars. Courtney offers maturity and experience that will translate well on and off the field for coach Elkins. Coach Elkins recruited two transfer goalkeepers in Faith Huston (SO/La Habra, CA) from Santiago Canyon College, and Cindy Suarez (JR/Anaheim, CA) from Fullerton College. Both keepers expect to get plenty of playing time, with Cindy also splitting time on the field. Jevaughn Burns (SO/Costa Mesa, CA), a sophomore transfer from Irvine Valley College, will add much needed depth to the midfield, and the benefit of college experience. When asked about her experience at Providence so far, Jevaughn said, "I like being at Providence a lot, everyone looks out for each other, the professors care about the students, and it's overall a great community. Being a part of the soccer team is great too; we have a lot of fun on and off the field". Senior Kiara Paul (SR/Westminster, CA) joins the Lady Sea Beggar soccer team after having focused on golf at Providence the previous three years. She will continue playing golf but had a desire to return to the pitch for her senior season. Kiara has tremendous leadership skills and should add depth to the PCC backline.
Five freshman, Jaden Burrell (FR/Chino, CA), Isabella Henao (FR/Fort Collins, CO), Kayley Hutchings (FR/Gilbert, AZ), Isabella Pecunes (FR/Mount Pleasant, SC), and Evelyn Jurgens (FR/Newport, WA) also join the Sea Beggars this year. These ladies will be expected to step on the field and contribute immediately, with the exception of Isabella Henao, as she continues recovering from an injury. Isabella Pecunes has shown to be a dynamic midfielder with great speed, and a constant goal scoring threat anywhere on the field. Jaden Burrell adds tremendous composure to the midfield and should be a key component to possession and distribution. Kayley Hutchins comes from Alaska, by way of Arizona, and will be running one of the flanks for the Sea Beggars. She has good speed and will help give added depth to the midfield. Evelyn Jurgens joins the Lady Sea Beggars back line and adds tremendous strength to the team. She plays well within herself and has incredible potential to create offense from the back.
Veteran Head Coach Todd Elkins makes his return to the sideline after having spent 15 years as the men's and women's head coach at Biola University. Coach Elkins coached the Biola Women's Soccer program from 2008 to 2013, where he compiled a 61-46-15 record. At the conclusion of the 2013 season, Elkins also took on the added responsibility of Men's Soccer Head Coach. At the conclusion of the 2015 season, Elkins responsibilities shifted to only the Men's side where he finished his tenure at Biola in 2019 with a combined record of 131-90-29. When asked about his thoughts on this season and the privilege to restart the Providence women's program, coach Elkins said, "It's good to be back in the college game! And it's exciting to be a part of getting Providence Women's Soccer back on its feet, where it belongs. Providence Christian College is a unique place full of lofty goals and ordinary people pursuing God's call in our lives. I am blessed to be a part of the community here and thankful to have a great group of student-athletes to coach. And so, the adventure begins…"
The Lady Sea Beggars open on the road today at Cal Tech at 4pm, and open at home on September 10th versus Arizona Christian at Arcadia City Hall Field at 2pm. These ladies leave everything they have on the field and will be a fun group to watch develop over the course of the year. You won't want to miss them in action, so check the schedule and be sure to make it out to support them.
