Women's Soccer Recruits Include Two Eastside Transfers
May 20, 2003

SEATTLE (May 20) -Heidi Jacobson and Jennifer Mills, both native Eastsiders who played their freshman season last fall at Gonzaga, are among the four women's soccer recruits set to play for Seattle Pacific University next season.

New head coach Chuck Sekyra announced that, in addition to the two transfers, he has signed high school seniors Brenna Ingersol of Monument, Co., and Mollie Taylor of Westlake Village, Ca.

"It's exciting to sign such high-caliber players, who make us exceptionally strong through the heart of the lineup," said Sekyra. "They give us added speed, strength and, with respect to the two transfers who were starters, experience. All have the ability to make an impact right away."

Seattle Pacific went 13-4-2 and won the Great Northwest Athletic Conference championship in its second season of play. This spring the Falcons, playing a schedule comprised exclusively of Division I teams, defeated Portland State (1-0), tied Idaho (0-0) and lost to Washington State (0-1), an NCAA tournament team.

Jacobson, a forward, finished as Gonzaga's No. 2 in scorer as a freshman. The Kirkland resident graduated from Cedar Park Christian High School, twice earning SeaTac League MVP and leading the Eagles to the state B championship in 2001.

"With her speed and quickness on the ball, Heidi has the ability to take over games," Sekyra said. "She takes on defenders, holds the ball and is an impressive finisher."

Mills, who lives in Sammamish and plays on defense, was the most improved player for the Zags. She was a first team all-KingCo selection at Skyline her final two prep seasons when her team finished fourth in the state 3A tournament.

"Jenny is one of the best centerbacks to play for me," said Sekyra, who coached Mills on the regional Olympic development team. "She's a solid one-on-one defender, reads the game and is a great distributor."

Ingersol , a four-time all-state selection, was the conference player of the year as a junior and senior at Palmer High School.

This spring the center midfielder scored 11 goals in 17 games to lead the Terrors to the Metro League title and into the Sweet 16 of the state 5A tournament.

"Brenna's a proven goal scorer who can break down defenses off the dribble," said Sekyra. "She could play for us either in midfield or up front."

Taylor, a midfielder, starred for Oaks Christian, scoring 22 goals and assisting on 22 more as the Lions went 18-5-4 and won the CIF 5A championship. She was an all-CIF selection and the Frontier League offensive player of the year. Taylor played for the Infinity club which won the 2002 Surf Cup crown.

"Mollie's a tremendous playmaker who has the ability to create opportunities for herself and others," Sekyra said. "She possesses great speed of play and has a high work rate."

SPU returns 10 starters from last fall and is scheduled to begin its season Aug. 28 at Cal State L.A.