ANDERSON, S.C.– The Anderson University women's soccer program has added nine student-athletes for the upcoming 2024 season, announced on Tuesday by Trojans head coach Sarah Jacobs.
The Black and Gold welcome: Ansley Douty (Charleston, S.C./Wando High School), Ashton Douty (Charleston, S.C./Wando High School), Kierann Fisher (Concord, N.C./Cox Mill High School),Ella Glenn (Simpsonville, S.C./Mauldin High School), Gabriela Gonzalez (Antioch, Cali./Heritage Baptist Academy),Ellie Ketzner (Magnolia, Texas/Magnolia High School), Lauren Monday (Anderson, S.C./Christ Church Episcopal), Ashlyn Schaefer (Milford, Ohio./Milford High School), and Zoe Stevenson (Bluffton, S.C./May River High School) to the team for the upcoming 2024 campaign.
Jacobs on 2024 Class: "We look forward to welcoming this new group into the AUWS Family. I have enjoyed getting to know each of them throughout the recruiting process and believe they have a lot to offer as both players and people.This class brings talent and depth to our squad along with a passion for the game, each other, and Anderson University. We are eager for them to arrive on campus and begin their careers as Trojans. We hope their time here results in personal growth, academic excellence, and conference championships."
The Trojans are slated to open its 2024 season on its home pitch September 5th versus USC Aiken. Kick-off is scheduled for 5 pm at Spero Financial Field.
Meet The Trojans:
Name: Ashlyn Douty
High School: Wando High School
Club: SC Surf GA
Height: 5-4
Position: Forward
Major: Kinesiology
Hometown: Charleston, S.C.
Accomplishments: 2021, 2022,2023 State Champion (HS), 2023 Captain (HS), 2024 North/South game selection and 2024 North/South MVP (HS), 2023 All-region (HS).
Why Anderson: "I chose Anderson because the welcoming team and atmosphere that I was introduced to at my first ID Camp. Everyone on campus was super nice and helpful and the campus is so pretty!"
Name: Ashton Douty
High School: Wando High School
Club: SC Surf GA
Height: 5-4
Position: Midfield
Major: Kinesiology
Hometown: Charleston, S.C.
Accomplishments: 2021, 2022,2023 State Champion (HS), 2024 Scholar Athlete Award.
Why Anderson: "I chose Anderson because of the perfect balance between a really good soccer team and academics. I really love the faith based atmosphere on the team and throughout campus. When I went to the ID camp at AU it stood out compared to all the other camps I had gone to, due to the fact all the girls were super outgoing, kind and they made me feel like I was home and a part of the team before I even got offered. I wanted to become a part of that family."
Name: Kierann Fisher
High School: Cox Mill High School
Club: Charlotte Independence
Height: 5-3
Position: Defender
Major: Interior Design
Hometown: Concord, N.C.
Accomplishments: -U18/19 ECRL All Regional league Carolina's player 2023 -ECRL 2022 and 2023 South Atlantic champion -Qualified for ECNL nationals in 2022 -Captain for Club ECRL team -Awarded the Charlotte Independence excellence in leadership award in 2023 -3A High School State Champion in 2021 -4 year varsity player -2 time All Conference player for High School -All Region player for High School -Captain for High School team.
Why Anderson: "I chose Anderson University because I immediately felt like I belonged on campus. Everyone I encountered was full of joy and seemed like they truly enjoyed their experience at school. I looked into the interior design school a lot because my career out of college is very important and AU has very successful employment after college. I am excited to be around like-minded, God fearing individuals and am so excited to expand my faith and have a school that supports it."
Name: Ella Glenn
High School: Mauldin High School
Club: CESA 06 ECNL
Height: 5-6
Position: Defender
Major: Nursing
Hometown: Simpsonville, S.C.
Accomplishments: All-Region 22-23, 23-34 North/South All Star Game
Why Anderson: "I chose Anderson because it felt like home when I went to visit and while I was on campus. The soccer team was very welcoming and seemed to be a good environment. I felt that it would be a good fit for me as well as a great education. Overall, Anderson was exactly what I was looking for in my college search."
Name: Gabriela Gonzalez
High School: Heritage Baptist Academy/Bob Jones University
Club: Impact Soccer Club
Height: 5-7
Position: Midfield
Major: Political Science Undergrad; Organizational Leadership Masters
Hometown: Antioch, Cali.
Accomplishments: 2022 NCCAA D1 South Region Player of the Year 2022 NCCAA D1 Southern All-Region First Team 2022 NCCAA D1 2nd Team All-American 2022 Bob Jones University Female Student-Athlete of the Year 2023 NCCAA DII South Region Player of the Year 2023 NCCAA DII National Player of the Year 2023 NCCAA Joe and Q Harding Award Recipient for DIl Women's Soccer
Why Anderson: "I chose Anderson for the opportunity to continue playing soccer while furthering my education as I earn my graduate degree."
Name: Ellie Ketzner
High School: Magnolia High School
Club: Albion
Height: 5-7
Position: Midfield
Major: Biology
Hometown: Magnolia, Texas
Accomplishments: High School: 3rd place in State 5A 3-time 1st Team All-District 2024 5A midfielder of the District 4 time Academic All-District Academic All-State Club: team captain (Soccer wire) Player to watch shout out from ECNLRL league championships.
Why Anderson: "The girls on the team and the school culture. I loved how everyone made me feel at home and the campus is absolutely beautiful!"
Name: Lauren Monday
High School: Christ Church Episcopal
Club: Casa Pride
Height: 5-7
Position: Defender
Major: Psychology
Hometown: Anderson, S.C.
Accomplishments: All-State, All-Region, Clash of the Carolinas, First Team All Greenville.
Why Anderson: "I decided to transfer to Anderson because it's closer to home and I wanted to play on a competitive team. I have a great relationship with the Coach Jacobs and I think she will push me to be the player I've always wanted to be."
Name: Ashlyn Schaefer
High School: Milford High School
Club: Cincinnati Untied Premier
Height: 5-5
Position: Defender
Major: Psychology
Hometown: Milford, Ohio
Accomplishments: All-ECC honors, 2nd team for High School team, ranked #1 in Ohio and #8 in the nation ECC and District Champs all three years on varsity for High School.
Why Anderson: "I chose Anderson for many reasons! Anderson is the perfect size school to focus on academics while playing at a collegiate level. Anderson also has a beautiful campus and everyone seems so close like family. It is also the perfect school to strengthen my spiritual journey!"
Name: Zoe Stevenson
High School: May River High School
Club: Tormenta FC
Height: 5-7
Position: Midfield
Major: Political science
Hometown: Bluffton, S.C.
Accomplishments: Four time State Champ with Club, captain on my High School team, MVP two years in a row on my High School team, All-Region *2, All- State, selected for North/South game, selected for All- Star game.
Why Anderson: "I chose Anderson because I felt like I was at home when I first stepped on campus. When I went to my first ID camp my freshman year of High School, I felt like all of the coaches and team made me feel very welcome."
