Rowden Ready to Compete

On the cusp of the 2014 season, The Master’s College women’s soccer team welcomes another face to its roster by signing Laguna Hills, California, native, Taylor Rowden.

After spending time at The Master’s College where I was able to watch several games and see the closeness and camaraderie among the girls on the team, it was an easy decision for me. I visited many universities because the style of soccer was very important to me. I love to play skilled soccer and the Mustangs not only played skilled soccer, but also were very technical. I also loved the strong Christian environment that surrounded the school and the team itself. All of this helped to influence my decision to attend The Master’s College this fall.”

Rowden crafted a high school career at Santa Margarita Catholic High School where she competed in both soccer and lacrosse. Rowden also gained experience with the Southern California Blues Soccer Club where she was part of multiple league championship squads.

Off the pitch, Rowden excelled in the classroom by earning a 4.29 GPA, being named an AP/IB student, being recognized for academic excellence in Mandarin, and earning a SCMCHS Heart Service Award after serving 120 hours over the course of four years.

Looking ahead, Rowden aims to create lasting relationships with her teammates as they grow together in Christ, improve her game and level of play, and learn to keep Christ at the center of her soccer career. Academically, Rowden looks to earn a degree in Kinesiology and Physical Education.

Commenting on Rowden’s athleticism, head coach Curtis Lewis stated, “Taylor comes from SoCal Blues and is a technical outside halfback player who has the opportunity to develop into a great player by learning our system. I’m expecting her to make an impact on the squad in the years to come.”

Lewis plans to slot Rowden as a midfielder.

The 18th-ranked Lady Mustangs look to a strong 2014 campaign where they will open with a road game against No. 1 Concordia (OR) on August 23.

Poffek to Play

The Master’s College women’s soccer team welcomes Kaylee Poffek, an Oak Hills, California, native, to its roster for the 2014 season.

“I am looking forward to attending The Master’s College because of its great emphasis on sharing God’s Word through education and athletics,” commented Poffek. “I am so excited to become a Mustang and learn as much as possible so that I am able to share God’s Word in all aspects of life after I graduate.”

Poffek, a seasoned goalkeeper, boasts a repertoire of honors that include experience with the Silver Elite Barcelona and the Premier Elite Soccer Clubs, and being part of Serrano High School’s back-to-back Mojave River League championship track teams in the 100m, the 300m hurdles, and the triple jump. In addition, Poffek earned experience as a keeper with the Premier BYSC Corona United club team. Other soccer-related honors Poffek has wrangled in the past include being a Mojave River League champion in 2013 and 2014, making it to the CIF quarterfinals in 2013, and being a CIF soccer finalist in 2014. Finally, in 2013, Poffek was named an all-league track champion in the long jump and triple jump.

Poffek looks to put her experience to good use with the Lady Mustangs by aiming “…to work as hard as I can to be my best. I want to play with my team and show the glory of God to others while we are learning about Him through each other at the same time. I also want to be a positive addition to the team.”

Commenting on Poffek’s signing, head coach Curtis Lewis states “Kaylee is a very talented incoming freshman who is expected to learn the system and earn some time in the goal. I’m excited to see what she can do!”

With the addition of Poffek, the Lady Mustangs have four goalkeepers on its roster, which should add some great competition for the starting position.

Now, on the cusp of the 2014 season, the 18th-ranked Lady Mustangs look to a strong campaign where they will open with a road game against No. 1 Concordia (OR) on August 23.