SEATTLE – Seattle Pacific University women's soccer head coach Arby Busey finalized his 2023 recruiting class on Friday afternoon, welcoming nine new Falcons to the program for the upcoming season.
"We are so excited about our additions for the upcoming season," Busey said. "This is a group that has enjoyed a ton of success on the field before arriving at SPU. Their accolades on the soccer field are numerous, including state championships and several All-State individual performances. But what excites us the most is how amazing each one of these women is off the field. All are exceptional students, and their character is off the charts. They will make so many contributions to us during their time at SPU and we are thrilled for those contributions to begin this fall."
THE NEWCOMERS
KALIA AHUNA | DEFENDER | AUBURN, WA | AUBURN MOUNTAINVIEW HIGH SCHOOL
Ahuna played four years of varsity soccer at Auburn Mountainview High School under head coach Joseph West. She earned First Team All-League honors three times and was named Second Team All-Area three times. Ahuna was awarded First Team All-State honors as a senior. She was named the team MVP as a sophomore and senior and was declared the team's Best Offensive Player as a junior.
Why she chose SPU – "It felt like home the moment I stepped onto campus."
ANDIE BUCKLEY | MIDFIELDER | VANCOUVER, WASH. | COLUMBIA RIVER HIGH SCHOOL
Buckley played four years of varsity soccer at Columbia River High School under head coach Filomon Afenegus. She recorded 29 goals and 37 assists over four seasons. Buckley was First Team All-League honors as a junior and earned All-State honors that same season. She continued as a senior and was named the All-Region Player of the Year. The Rapids won the 2A state championship in her freshman and senior seasons.
Why she chose SPU – "The culture and academics."
LOGANN DUKES | DEFENDER | VANCOUVER, WASH. | COLUMBIA RIVER HIGH SCHOOL
Dukes played four years of varsity soccer at Columbia River High School under head coach Filomon Agenegus. She was named All-League Defensive MVP and earned First Team All-Region and First Team All-State recognition as a junior and senior. The team won two state titles during her time with the Rapids. Dukes experienced immense success in basketball court and track as well, and was a 12-time WIAA Scholar Athlete
Why she chose SPU – "During the recruitment process, Coach Arby asked me what does 'Logann University' look like to me. After visiting, meeting the team, and learning more about the program both academically and athletically, SPU checked all the boxes. The team's culture stood out to me and their focus on faith and family is rooted in the SPU's mission."
TAYLOR KRUEGER | FORWARD | TIGARD, ORE | SAINT LOIUS UNIVERSITY
Krueger played four years of varsity soccer at Jesuit High School. She scored 46 goals and had 37 assists. Krueger earned All-League First Team honors, made the All-America West Team, and was named to the United Soccer Coaches All-Region and All-State teams. Jesuit won two state titles during her time there. She graduated with a 4.0 GPA and was on the honor roll all four years. Krueger played one season at Saint Louis University and comes to SPU as the only transfer in the 2023 recruiting class.
Why she chose SPU – "I chose SPU for the competitive soccer environment and the genuine coaching staff."
NORA PATTERSON | FORWARD | SEATTLE | SHORECREST HIGH SCHOOL
Patterson played three years of varsity soccer at Shorecrest High School under head coach Mindy Dalziel. She was named WESOC Honorable Mention twice before earning First Team All-WESCO honors her senior season. Patterson's senior season was excellent, as she was selected First Team All-State. Her team won the district championship and finished fourth in the state that year as well.
Why she chose SPU – "I love the feel of a smaller school where I also have access nearby to both a large city, the water, and mountains that are all within miles away."
LAUREN RIFE | FORWARD | SNOHOMISH, WASH. | ARCHBISHOP MURPHY HIGH SCHOOL
Rife played four years of varsity soccer at Archbishop Murphy High School. She was also part of a club team that won the ECNL R Northwest Championship twice.
Why she chose SPU – "For the beautiful campus and amazing soccer program."
LANDRY SCHOENNAUER | GOALKEEPER | SAN JOSE, CALIF. | LINCOLN HIGH SCHOOL
Schoennauer played four years of varsity soccer at Lincoln High School under head coach Dave Meyer. She recorded 348 saves over four seasons, including 148 saves in her junior season. Schoennauer earned Second Team All-League honors in her first year and went on to be named First Team All-League three times. The San Jose Native was named team MVP twice on a team that was CCS Regional Champions in 2021.
Why she chose SPU – "I chose SPU because of the way I immediately felt like family. The first day I showed up for my visit I was so welcomed and felt so comfortable. I knew it was a place I would want to spend my next four years."
ELLA SMITH | DEFENDER | SILVERDALE, WASH. | CENTRAL KITSAP HIGH SCHOOL
Smith Played four years of varsity soccer at Central Kitsap High School. She earned Second Team All-Conference and First Team All-Conference honors with the Cougars. Smith was a 2021 All-West-Sound Girls Soccer League selection. She experienced success with the Cougars, as the team finished third in the state her freshman season. Smith also played club with Washington Premier.
Why she chose SPU – "I chose SPU because of the competitive soccer environment and strong academic side. I really liked the team culture here and knew that it is a place where I can grow as a player and as a person."
ASHLYN VALDOVINOS | DEFENDER | YAKIMA, WASH. | WEST VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL
Valdovinos played four years of varsity soccer at West Valley High School under head coach Jason Timm. She earned First Team All-Conference honors three times and was named Defensive Player of the Year as a sophomore and senior. Valdovinoss favorite television show is Friends, and she intends to major in nursing at SPU.
Why she chose SPU – "It was a great fit academically, I knew I wanted to pursue nursing and SPU has a great nursing program. It also was a great fit athletically and allowed me to continue playing the sport I love. I also loved the culture of the team and knew it would be a good environment for me."
