LA MIRADA--- The Biola women's soccer team added 14 newcomers to their 2023 roster, which includes 11 freshmen, one senior, and two transfers.

"I am extremely excited and thankful for this class of incoming players and the impact they will have on and off of the field during their time at Biola University," shared head coach Brett Croft.

Croft continued, "When recruiting, we not only look for players that can help us compete on the field in the PacWest, but also people who will strengthen our program off of the field. As a coaching staff, we are committed to developing this group with the application of an holistic approach focused on the four pillars which include: spiritual, athletic, academic, and social. This large recruiting class will play a major role in rebuilding the program from the ground up."

Read more about the women's soccer team's newcomers who are set to make their 2023 debuts tonight (7 p.m.) at Al Barbour Field against the defending national champions and nationally-ranked No. 1 Western Washington.

Laura Brennan / Freshman / Goalkeeper / Newhall, Calif. / Hart High School
Brennan joins Biola from Hart High School where she prepped four varsity seasons and helped her team become 2023 CIF Southern Section D2 Champions and Regional Champions. While at Hart, Brennan recorded 17 shutouts and ended her career with a .28 goals against average. Brennan was also awarded Hart High School Athlete of the Year and Foothill All-League. 

Brennan also ran track and received academic honors including Principals Honor Roll, NHS, and CSF.

Why Brennan chose Biola: "I chose Biola because both the academics and athletics are high level and the university is Christ-centered."

Riley Brumfield / Freshman / Defender / Auburn, Calif. / Forest Lake Christian High School
Brumfield comes to Biola from Forest Lake Christian High School where she played two varsity seasons and was a First Team All-League selection. Brumfield played for the U.S. Development Academy where she was in the Player Development Program for four years and competed for the Elite Club National League for two years. 

Brumfield was also successful in her academics where she made Honor Roll for all four years while taking AP and honors courses.

Why Brumfield chose Biola: "I knew that I wanted to go to Biola since I was in eighth grade and I ended up here on an academic and athletic scholarship from working hard, my coaches believing in me, and being consistent. I could not be more overjoyed that I can continue to play the sport I love while continuing my academic career at Biola." 

Ella Grannis / Freshman / Midfielder / Chino Hills, Calif. / El Dorado High School
Grannis played four varsity seasons at El Dorado High School where she helped her team place second in the league and advance to the third round of CIF. Her senior season she scored 17 goals and contributed seven assists. While playing for El Dorado, Grannis was a team captain, Offensive Player of the Year and First Team All-League.

Grannis also received several academic honors such as the Distinguished Scholar award, Principles Honor Roll, and the AP Scholar Award of Honor.

Why Grannis chose Biola: "Beyond the wonderful campus, team, and staff, the location keeps me close to my family home and beloved Australian shepherd, Margo." 

Kierstin Havens / Junior / Forward / Hudson, Ohio, / Lee University
Havens is a junior transfer from Lee University who spent three seasons with the Flames. While competing at Lee, Havens helped her team become Gulf South Conference Champions, two-time conference finalists, and made two regional appearances. In 2020, she won the GSC Top Performer Award.

Havens is also member of Cleveland Ambassadors Football Club's semi-professional team and appeared in both the 2022 and 2023 WPSL seasons where she tallied two goals and an assist.

Havens graduated from Hudson High School in 2020 where she garnered several accomplishments including: All-Region All-Star Team, All-Region Third Team, All-Region Honorable Mention, First Team All-League, two-time First Team All-Ventura County, Tri-County Athletic Association MVP, two-time Most Offensive Player, All-Ohio Academic Team, Suburban League Scholar Athlete, and Hudson High School Scholar Athlete. 

Why Havens chose Biola: "I chose Biola because God opened up all the doors necessary and provided an incredible opportunity to continue my college soccer career with like-minded people. I'm very excited to continue my career at Biola for the next two seasons and am thrilled to be a part of such a great program!"

Kailey Kolesar / Freshman / Midfielder / Tehachapi, Calif. / Tehachapi High School
Kolesar was a four-year starter on the Tehachapi High School varsity team who scored 35 goals and had 20 assists throughout her career. Kolesar earned many awards throughout high school including: First Team All-League, MVP, First Team All-Area, Second Team All-Area and Offensive Player of the Year. She also helped her team become South Yosemite Mountain League Champions in 2022 and 2023. 

Kolesar graduated with a 4.5 GPA which was top 10 in her class, won the President's Education Award for outstanding academic excellence and received the AP Scholar Award for four-consecutive years. 

Why Kolesar chose Biola: "I knew it would be the perfect place to continue developing myself spiritually, athletically, and academically all while being surrounded by a loving community."

Sophie Kosted / Freshman / Midfielder/Defender / Snoqualmie, Wash. / The Bear Creek School
Kosted joins Biola from The Bear Creek School where she played four varsity seasons. Kosted was a team captain who earned All-Conference honors and the Blood, Sweat and Tears award. 

Kosted graduated Magna Cum Lade, was a National Honors Society member and earned Senior Capstone Honors.

Why Kosted chose Biola: "I chose Biola because God really opened every door here - from my initial attraction to the Christian influence at Biola combined with a larger size, to the opportunity to play the game I love for the next four years and study at the Torrey Honors College, and financially how God has provided a way for me to attend Biola. I'm so stoked for the next years of my life!"

Brooklyn Kostjuk / Freshman / Midfielder / San Diego, Calif. / Foothills Christian High School
Kostjuk comes to Biola from Foothills Christian High School where she played four varsity seasons. While at Foothills Christian, Kostjuk helped her team advance to the CIF quarter finals. She also earned Most Offensive Player twice and received Honor Roll for all four years of high school. Kostjuk played club soccer for Albion SC. 

Why Kostjuk chose Biola: "I went on a visit where I trained with the team and I loved how welcoming and competitive the team was."

Autum Monty / Junior / Goalkeeper / Visalia, Calif. San Jose State
Monty is a junior transfer from San Jose State University. Monty played two seasons with the Spartans where she totaled 1,186 minutes, 55 saves and three shutouts. While at San Jose State, Monty helped her team become Mountain West Tournament Champions, Mountain West Conference Co-Champions and advance to regionals. She also received honors such as Freshman of the Week, Defensive Player of the Week and Rookie of the Year.

Additionally, Monty was a four-year varsity player at Mount Whitney High School who was a three-year team captain, three-time MVP, an All-American, three-time First Team All-League selection, and a Second Team All-League pick her freshman year.

Why Monty chose Biola: "I chose Biola because it offers me the opportunity to grow as an athlete, pursue a nursing career, deepen and grow my relationship with Christ, and be in an environment that helps me grow relationally and individually."

Sophia Morris / Senior / Midfielder / Aliso Viejo, Calif. / Santa Margarita Catholic
Morris has attended Biola for the past three years and is set to graduate with her degree in psychology in December. Morris spent the past three years as a member of the track & field team where she ran sprints and hurdles. Morris was a duo-athlete at Santa Margarita Catholic High School where she played soccer and ran track.

Jillian Paulson / Freshman / Defender / Wheaton, Ill. / Wheaton Academy
Paulson was a three-year varsity starter at Wheaton Academy who helped her team advance to the conference championships, regional championship, sectional championship, and super-sectional championship. Paulson won several awards at Wheaton including: All-Conference, All-Section, and All-Section Honorable Mention, Wheaton Academy Warrior Award Recipient, and Wheaton Academy Athlete of the Year.

Why Paulson chose Biola: "I knew a few people from my hometown that attended Biola and absolutely loved it, and the idea of living in California was very enticing. On my visit I felt right at home with all of the students and I felt God leading me to Biola University. I am so thankful for this opportunity to grow as both an athlete and follower of Christ."

Briley Phelps / Freshman / Midfielder / Santa Clarita, Calif. / Hart High School
Phelps comes to Biola from Hart High School where she played four varsity seasons and totaled 64 goals and 48 assists throughout her career. Phelps helped her team become two-time Foothill League Champions, CIF SoCal Regional Champions and CIF SS Champions. While at Hart, she won CIF SS Player of the Year Division II, Los Angeles Daily News Player of the Year, All-Foothill League Player of the Year, All-Foothill League First Team and LA Times Player of the Winter Finalist Year.

Phelps also made the Dean's List and CSF. 

Why Phelps chose Biola: "I went on a visit and trained with the team and everyone was so inviting and I loved the completive environment."

Faith Shaw / Freshman / Forward / Spokane, Wash. / Lewis and Clark High School
Shaw joins Biola from Lewis and Clark High School where she played four varsity seasons and totaled 17 goals and 40 assists in her career. Her senior year she scored a career-high of 12 goals and 16 assists. While at Lewis and Clark, she earned Player of the Game 12 times, was an all-conference selection and made Honor Roll.

Why Shaw chose Biola: "I visited Biola at a ID camp and was invited back to practice with the team. The competitive environment and amazing people made Biola an easy choice."

Cassidy Sims / Freshman / Midfielder/Forward / Goodyear, Ariz. / Estrella Foothills High School
Sims was a four-year varsity player at Estrella Foothills High School who totaled 97 goals and 59 assists in her career. Sims earned several athletic awards at Estrella Foothills including First Team All-Region (four times), all-conference/all-state (twice) and Region Player of the Year. She also held three national rankings such as 2020 ninth-best in assists in the State, 2021 third-best goal scorer in the State, and 3 Star on Top Drawer Soccer. Sims additionally was a four-year Scholar Athlete.

Sims played club soccer for Utah Royals AZ.

Why Sims chose Biola: "When I visited Biola everyone was super welcoming and I'm super grateful to be apart of this team."

Zoe Vandegrift / Freshman / Midfielder / Ramona, Calif. / Classical Academy High School
Vandegrift played four varsity seasons at Classical Academy High School where she helped her team qualify for CIF all four seasons and win Division 5 CIF in 2019-20. Her senior season she was a team captain and won the Caiman Award for leadership, hard work, purity, courage and honor.

Vandegrift also earned Academic All-League all four years. 

Why Vandegrift chose Biola: " I ended up choosing Biola when I practiced with the women's soccer team. I loved the inviting and competitive culture and how everyone is invested in a personal relationship with the Lord and is so supportive on and off the field."