Congratulations to SCCS junior Ellyanna Edwards who has just signed with Life Pacific University Women’s Soccer. She plans to study Human Development and Psychology at Life Pacific and join the soccer team as a fellow Warrior.
“I am most excited about playing for Life Pacific University because I’ll get to be on a team with girls who love Jesus and love soccer but are also working for a higher purpose – to glorify God,” shared Ellyanna. “I’ll get to be part of a tight-knit group of players who are striving to compete and win but also be a light for Jesus as well! It’s an opportunity to go to an amazing school but also an opportunity to play college-level soccer.”
Ellyanna has been playing soccer since she was four years old. She played for SCCS her freshman year but moved to year-round soccer through US Soccer’s Developmental Academy, which does not allow its players to play high school soccer. She is also actively involved with Fellowship of Christian Athletes and served as a leader this past summer at their event in Los Angeles.
“Playing soccer at SCCS taught me how to be a leader and a team player on the field,” continued Ellyanna. “Getting to play with girls from all high school grades and connecting with them through prayer before games and bonding outside of soccer, has shown me how to connect and grow with my teammates and also how to integrate my faith into my sport. We won as a team and lost as a team and through it all I learned to have fun in every game, stay positive, and be an encouragement.”
Ellyanna isn’t alone in her love for soccer. Her entire family enjoys the sport. Ellyanna’s older sister Chloe, who graduated from SCCS in 2017, plays for Azusa Pacific University and her younger sister, Willow, is just starting with AYSO.
“It’s exciting to watch her reach some personal soccer goals and have the opportunity to play beyond her high school years,” shared Dawn, Ellyanna’s mom. “We are so proud of Ellyanna and the way she prayerfully approaches decisions in her life. Her college choice has been no different. We are confident that the Lord has opened the door for her to attend SCCS in preparation for what He has for her. While we may not know exactly what that is, we rest in Him and how He will continue to guide her. We are so grateful for the role that SCCS is playing in her life and how it is a place where she continues to grow in the Lord and develop her faith as well as a place that is preparing her for her continuing education.”
Both of Ellyanna’s parents attended Life Pacific University. “We never imagined our kids following in our ‘footsteps’,” continued Dawn. “Ellyanna will be a fifth generation LPU student and that is exciting! But we know it’s the Lord who is leading her there as she wishes to pursue ministry upon graduation. We know that LPU will be a great training ground for wherever the Lord will lead her. Soccer is a tool that He is using to help her reach those educational and ministry goals.”
Coach Shaun Harris from LPU shared his excitement to sign Ellyanna to the team in an article from Life Pacific a few weeks ago. “I am excited for Ellyanna to be committing her future to LPU. As a soccer player, she is an exciting attacking player who has the ability to change games with her pace, vision and technical consistency on the ball. I am excited to have Ellyanna join the LPU soccer program as she is a mature, natural leader who is hardworking and extremely coachable. We look forward to watching her development and helping her with her transition from the USSDA into the college game.”