THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – With the new season quickly approaching, Head Coach Frank Marino announced 13 incoming freshmen to the Cal Lutheran women's soccer program, Saturday morning. The class of 2023 will take the place of the team's seven graduated seniors who led the program to its 13th consecutive Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Postseason Tournament appearance in 2018.
Mikaela Caltrider
"Mikaela is an outstanding centerback that will fit our system and style of play! She is technical and reads the game exceptionally well! We are looking forward to seeing her this August," said Coach Marino.
Caltrider joins Cal Lutheran as a defender from Encinitas, California. The Santa Fe Christian School graduate was a four-year athlete for the Eagles, and was named team captain and an All-Coastal League First Team selection her senior year. She was also a two-time All-Academic Team honoree and CIF Section Scholar in her final two seasons.
The 5'8" defender additionally played for the Del Mar/Carmel Valley Sharks ECNL club. Off the pitch, Caltrider served in Uganda at the Nation's Changers Christian School in the summers of 2017 and 2019, and was a poll worker in Encinitas for the 2018 midterm election. In the classroom, she was a National Honor Society member, California Scholarship Federation Seal Bearer and Honor Roll member.
Caltrider on why she chose Cal Lutheran: "I love the size of the campus and the smaller class sizes, as well as the location. It's a perfect distance from home and the community seemed so inclusive and inviting from the start."
Mandy Crawford
"Mandy is a strong and crafty one-v-one player and excellent finisher! We are very excited to have Mandy joining us and she is a perfect fit for our culture," said Coach Marino.
Crawford joins the Regals as a local forward from Simi Valley, California. The Simi Valley High School graduate was a four-year varsity athlete for the Pioneers and led the Coastal Canyon League in goals for three consecutive seasons. The team captain was additionally named a Coastal Canyon League Offensive MVP, four-time Simi High Offensive MVP, Ventura Country First Team honoree and Ventura County All-Star Team selection.
The 5'3" forward also played for the LA Galaxy-Conejo Valley Soccer Club and Eclipse Soccer Club in Simi Valley. Off the field, Crawford volunteered weekly at the Simi Valley Public Library and was a four-year honor roll member, Girls Soccer Scholar Athlete and a two-time National Honor Society member.
Crawford on why she chose Cal Lutheran: "Cal Lutheran was the first soccer ID camp I went to and I immediately fell in love with the school. It's a place where I can play soccer at next level, further my education and faith, all while being close to home."
Aubrey Finicle
"Aubrey is a versatile player with a strong technical base! We are looking forward to Aubrey joining our program," said Coach Marino.
Finicle joins the program as a defender from Saugus, California. The Saugus High School graduate was a two-year varsity letterwinner for the Centurions, broke the school record for points in a single season, and led her team to the highest goal scoring season in program history and best record in a decade. Her performance on the field earned her All-SCV First Team, All-Foothill League First Team, All-SCA Second Team accolades.
The 5'8" defender additionally played for Crescenta Valley Soccer Club and LA Premier FC Development Academy '01. Off the field, Finicle volunteered with the Salvation Army and was a two-time Varsity Scholar Athlete, Junior Honor Scholar, Senior Honor Scholar and Principal's Honor Roll member.
Finicle on why she chose Cal Lutheran: "I chose Cal Lutheran because of the positive atmosphere and the wonderful campus culture. When I first stepped on campus, I knew that this was the perfect school for me, and during my overnight visit, all the girls on the team were extremely welcoming and I just felt at home."
Kylie Garcia
"Kylie is a smart, technical and competitive center-mid! Kylie has a strong understanding of the game and has played at a high level for many years! I am looking forward to her steady influence on our program," said Coach Marino.
Garcia joins Cal Lutheran as a midfielder from Ventura, California. The Ventura High School graduate was a four-year varsity letterwinner for the Cougars and the led the program to the 2018 Division 4 CIF Finals and 2019 Division 2 Quarterfinals. Individually, she was named team captain and an All-Pacific View League Second Team selection as a senior, All-Channel League Honorable Mention as a junior, and All-Channel League First Team selection as a sophomore.
The 5'7" midfielder additionally played for the Eagles Soccer Club in Camarillo, California, and the Ventura Football Club. Off the field, Garcia was a member of the National Honor Society, California Scholarship Federation, Key Club, and volunteered with Ventura High's Den Mentors, A Night to Remember and Mission Church. In the classroom, she was a four-year Principal's Honor Roll member and earned the Multilingual Seal and California State Seal of Biliteracy.
Garcia on why she chose Cal Lutheran: "I chose Cal Lutheran for its Southern California location, beautiful campus, perfect size, and top-ranked exercise science program in California. I also love the soccer coaches and team and the strength of the soccer program. I think it is a perfect fit for me to be challenged both academically and athletically."
Janelle Gutierrez
"Janelle is center-mid who is strong technically, great in the air and defends well! We are thrilled she is joining us this fall," said Coach Marino.
Gutierrez joins the Regals as a midfielder from Upland, California. The Claremont High School graduate was a four-year varsity athlete for the Wolfpack. She was additionally named an All-Palomares League First Team selection and MVP after leading the program to two league championships.
The 5'4" midfielder also played for Legends Football Club in Glendora, California. Off the pitch, Gutierrez was an honor roll member and volunteered with the Voices for Animals Club, Interact Club and Church.
Gutierrez on why she chose Cal Lutheran: "I believed it to be a best fit because of the location, the education, and the athletics."
Olyvia Hinck
"Olyvia is a winger with pace who can beat people one-v-one! She is a true competitor and we are excited to have her," said Coach Marino.
Hinck joins the program as a forward from Simi Valley, California. The Simi Valley High School graduate was a four-year athlete for the Pioneers and also played for the LA Galaxy-Conejo Valley Soccer Club.
Hinck on why she chose Cal Lutheran: "It is a very welcoming school, as well as ,the education system seems very proficient! Also the soccer team is perfect for me and is very organized!"
Emma Jonietz
"Emma is a goalkeeper who has great hands, is good in the air and can play well with her feet! We are very excited to have Emma join us this coming season," said Coach Marino.
Jonietz joins Cal Lutheran as a goalkeeper from Whittier, California. The La Serna High School graduate was a two-year varsity athlete for the Lancers and saw the program to four consecutive Del Rel Rio League Championships and the third round of CIF playoffs in 2019. Her performance garnered her an All-Del Rio League selection and the Lady Lancer Award.
The 5'8" keeper also played for the Legends FC Academy team in Norco, California. Off the field, Jonietz volunteered with Meals on Wheels and her church, and was a Scholar Athlete and California Scholarship Federation member.
Jonietz chose Cal Lutheran to pursue a "music production degree and play soccer as well."
Izzy Martinez
"Izzy is great in possession, clean technically, and has a great tactical mind for the game! Izzy is a great fit for our program and we are excited to have her," said Coach Marino.
Martinez joins the program as a forward from Chandler, Arizona. The Hamilton High School graduate was a one-year varsity letterwinner for the Huskies and played for the Phoenix Rising Football Club in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Off the field, she volunteered with Feed My Starving Children, Hamilton High tutoring and One Dog Arizona. In the classroom, Martinez was a 4.0 Scholar, AP Scholar, National Hispanic Scholar and National Honor Society Member.
Martinez on why she chose Cal Lutheran: "I chose Cal Lutheran because it was the perfect fit for me. Its location is second to none, the academic opportunity is unparalleled, and the team and coaches are truly something special that I could not pass up."
Kat Martinson
"Kat is an outside back who is a strong one-on-one defender, can get forward in the attack, and is good in possession! We are looking forward to seeing Kat this August," said Coach Marino.
Martinson joins Cal Lutheran as a defender from Brea, California. The Brea Olinda High School graduate was a three-year varsity athlete for the Wildcats. After being named to the All-Crestview League as a junior, Martinson earned All-CIF, All-County Honorable Mention, Century League Player of the Year and Team MVP honors in her senior season.
The 5'5" defender additionally played for the Strikers ECNL Soccer Club in Irvine, California, and volunteered with her community church.
Martinson chose Cal Lutheran for "the community, religion and academics."
Darya Rasoli
"Darya is a winger with pace, great one-v-one, and a great finisher! Darya is going to have an immediate impact on our program and we are so happy to have her," said Coach Marino.
Rasoli joins the Regals as a forward from Fremont, California. The Irvington High School graduate was a four-year varsity athlete for the Vikings and was the highest scoring player in the Mission Valley Athletic League with 23 goals as a senior. In her final season, she was also named the Irvington Offensive Player of the Year and an all-league first team forward. Rasoli was additionally the Irvington Offensive Player of the Year as a sophomore and an all-league second team forward as a junior.
The 5'4" forward also played for Pleasanton Rage ECNL and worked with Girls Soccer Worldwide to give low-income, minority girls the opportunity to play. Off the field, Garcia served as the Sculpture Club president.
Garcia on why she chose Cal Lutheran: "I was looking for a small school where I could pursue my academic and athletic career. I visited Cal Lutheran and immediately loved the community, people, and overall environment."
Natalia Valladares
"Natalia is a skilled winger, strong one-v-one, and understands the game at a high level! I am very much looking forward to her contributions to our program," said Coach Marino.
Valladares joins the program as a forward from Goleta, California. The Dos Pueblos High School graduate was a four-year varsity athlete for the Chargers and led the team it first Channel League Championship title in school history. She was additionally named a team captain and All-Channel League First Team selection.
The 5'2" forward also played for Santa Barbara Soccer Club. Off the field, she was an AVID Club Co-President and AYSO assistant coach, and served with Girls Inc., Little Dog House and Beautify DP.
Valladares on why she chose Cal Lutheran: "I believe CLU is the perfect school for me because of the diversity on campus. I wanted to have a smaller size campus in order to create a better relationship with professors. I also wanted to play collegiate soccer and CLU gave me the opportunity."
Ella Velcelean
"Ella is a forward who is technically and tactically sound, and has played at a very high level! We are thrilled for Ella to join us," said Coach Marino.
Velcelean joins the Regals as a 5'7" forward from San Jose, California. The Pioneer High School graduate played for the Mountain View Los Altos Soccer Club.
Velcelean on why she chose Cal Lutheran: "I choose Cal Lutheran because of the opportunities it can provide me. The private education allows for smaller classes which is beneficial to me and I can get extra help from tutors on campus. I also love the location and the gorgeous campus."
Isabella Veljacic
"Bella is a great finisher, good with her back to goal, and a very active forward! We are looking forward to her impact on the team," said Coach Marino.
Veljacic joins Cal Lutheran as a forward from Monterey Park, California. The Schurr High School graduate was a four-year letterwinner for the Spartans and led the team to its first CIF semi-finals appearance in program history in 2015-16. She was also a four-time All-Almonte League selection, three-year Golden Boot Award winner and two-time team MVP.
The 5'7" forward additionally played for SWAP Soccer Club in San Gabriel, California. Off the pitch, Veljacic was a four-year Athletic Academic Excellence Award winner, graduated with highest honors and served as the Girls' League Club Vice President.
Veljacic on why she chose Cal Lutheran: "I chose Cal Lutheran because of it's amazing soccer program, religious aspect, and the tight community."
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Release by Christy Effendie, Assistant Sports Information Director