In 2012, the Bruins women's soccer team began a new era at Bob Jones University as the team competed in the university's first intercollegiate match in over 79 years.
Since then, the Lady Bruins have seen much success as the team has won five NCCAA DII National Championships and five region championships while producing 27 All-Americans, 48 Scholar-Athletes and over 60 All-Region players.
The team has had three National Player of the Year athletes and won several team, individual and academic awards throughout their ten-year existence. In 2020, the Bruins returned to NCCAA DI where the team has reached the national tournament in back to back seasons.
This past season, the Bruins had their best record in program history as the team finished 18-4-1, including notching a 17-game winning streak throughout the season. In their history, the women's soccer team has posted a 122-71-8 record under the direction of Dr. Chris Carmichael.
The announcement of the All-Decade team is in celebration of the program's ten years of intercollegiate excellence. Coaches and athletics personnel worked together to produce this list weighing the criteria of a player's impact on the program in and out of competition and the athlete's support of the mission of Bruins athletics.
"We have been abundantly blessed by God's kindness and grace in the players He has lead to BJU," Bruins Head Women's Soccer Coach Chris Carmichael said. "Although we are deservedly recognizing the success of our all-decade team, we have so many past and current players that have left their mark that without there's no way we would have had the success we have achieved. To God be the glory in the great things He has done in our program."
The following were selected as members of the All-Decade Team (2012-22):
#4 - Abby Davis (Forward | 2015 - 2018)
Davis currently holds the record for most goals and points in program history and is second in games played as well as assists. At 72 goals through 83 games played, it was apparent of the impact Davis made on the Bruins during her four years on the women's soccer team. The forward was a four-time All-Region player and earned All-American honors three straight seasons. In 2018, Davis was also named the NCCAA's Game Plan 4 Life winner for Division II.
#27 - Kaitlyn Hummel (Forward | 2014 - 2017)
Hummel ranks third in program history for games played at 82. She started in 75 of those games and tallied 11 goals and 5 assists across four years. Her talent on the field earned her a spot on the All-Region teams for three straight seasons. She was also named an All-American honors her senior season. In addition to success on the field, Hummel excelled in the classroom as she was a two-time Scholar Athlete. She also is the only Bruins student-athlete in history to be named an All-American in two different sports (Soccer and Track & Field).
#10 - Mia Marks (Forward | 2020 - present)
Marks has only played two seasons with the Bruins, but during her freshman and sophomore campaigns Mia Marks has made a significant impact on the team. The Greenville native scored 20 goals in 2021 bringing her 25 goals scored in her college career so far. This makes her second in program history in goals scored behind Abby Davis. In 2020, she was named to the NCCAA DI South All-Region team and in 2021 became the first Division 1 All-American (2nd Team) in program history.
#9 - Rebecca Luttrell (Midfielder | 2012 - 2014)
Luttrell played on the inaugural team for women's soccer and helped lead the Bruins to their first national title as she scored the lone goal in the national championship game in 2013. She was among the first to receive All-American honors from the NCCAA and was also an All-Region player. Since graduating, Luttrell has also served as the assistant coach for the team for the past seven seasons.
#14 - Kayle Stevenson (Midfielder | 2019 - present)
Stevenson helped lead the Bruins to the national title during her freshmen season as she earned All-American honors in 2019. She continued to be an anchor in the midfield as she played in 65 games for the Bruins while being among the leaders in minutes played each season. She has served as a captain for the team and has tallied 22 goals and 9 assists in three seasons.
#9 - Jenna Bishop (Midfielder | 2019 - present)
Bishop made an immediate impact on the team in her freshman season as she led the team to the national title and was named the Division II National Player of the Year. Although she battled injuries in her career, Bishop continued to play at a high level as a two-time All-Region player and an All-American (2019). She has played in 40 matches for the Bruins in her career while also serving as a captain for the team.
#6 - Kristyn Rygh (Midfielder | 2016 - 2019)
Rygh was a four-year starter for the Bruins where she helped lead the team to three national championships. During her career, she played in 77 matches for the team while logging over 4,000 minutes in her career. She earned All-American honors in 2018 and was a three-time All-Region player. Rygh also served as a captain in her career with the team.
#26 - Allyson Jenkins (Defender | 2014 - 2017)
Jenkins still holds the program record for most games played as she played in 84 games while logging the most minutes of any player in program history. She was a two-time Scholar-Athlete and earned All-American and All-Region honors in 2014. Throughout her career, Jenkins anchored a defensive line for the Bruins which posted some of the lowest goals against averages in the program's history.
#16 - Sarah Iwanowycz (Defender | 2012 - 2013)
Iwanowycz played for two seasons and was part of the Bruins inaugural season. A key member of the Bruins back line, Iwanowycz was instrumental in helping the Bruins win their first national championship in 2013 where her defensive line didn't allow a single goal in the national tournament. She was named an All-American and an All-Region player in the 2013 season.
#3 - Caralise Roach (Defender | 2015 - 2018)
Roach was a four-year starter for the Bruins where she played on the Bruins defensive line. She played in over 80 matches for the team while being named to the All-Region teams twice in her career. She also excelled in the classroom as a two-time Scholar-Athlete. Roach was instrumental in leading the Bruins to three national championships in her career with the team.
#15 - Jennifer Townsend (Defender | 2016 - 2019)
Townsend had a decorated career with the Bruins as she played in 81 matches as a four-year starter. She is a three-time All-American and was selected as the Division II National Player of the Year in 2017. Her senior season, Townsend was also selected with the NCCAA DII Game Plan 4 Life award. She also excelled in the classroom as a two-time Scholar Athlete in her career.
#1 - Tori Anderson (Goalkeeper | 2012 - 2014)
Anderson was a member of the inaugural Bruins women's soccer team and still holds the top goals against average for the team at 0.94. She is second in games played finishing her three-year career at 46 total games. Anderson was instrumental in the Bruins success early on in their program history and was a two-time All-American and two-time All-Region player.
"Each one of these young ladies has had a significant impact on our women's soccer program," Bruins Director of Athletics Dr. Neal Ring said. "We praise the Lord for the successes He has given us over the past ten years and look forward to the continued growth of our women's soccer program in the future."
BJU is a provisional member of NCAA DIII and an NCCAA member. The BJU Bruins feature 13 varsity programs and over 200 student-athletes.
