Point Loma Nazarene University’s women’s soccer club played in its first tournament, the Aztec Cup, at San Diego State University early last month. The club secured second place against schools like the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), University of Wyoming and Utah Valley University.
The team won their first two games against UCSD and the University of Wyoming on Oct. 11, but lost on Oct. 12 to Utah Valley.
The club’s co-president, Maddie Marshall, a third-year organizational communication major, said their 6-0 win against Wyoming gave the team confidence going into the rest of the tournament.
UCSD’s women’s soccer club was the 2025 West Coast Soccer Association’s Playoff champions. Natalie Seaholm, a fourth-year applied health science major and co-president, said the game against them was competitive and intense, ultimately ending in a 3-2 victory.
“UCSD was the best team in the state last season, so beating them was incredibly exciting and validating for everyone on the team,” she said.
The team typically practices once or twice a week and plays games on Sundays in a San Diego recreational league called the Peninsula Women’s Soccer League (PWSL), where they currently have a 3-3 standing. The team has played other college club teams before, but only in scrimmages, making this the first time they’ve ever played another college club team competitively.
Marshall said that playing in the college club league is too expensive to maintain throughout a semester, costing around $2,800 per season, so the tournament was a more affordable way to play peers of the same age in San Diego.
Seaholm said the Aztec Cup had been on her radar for a while.
“We knew we wanted to get involved, so finally being able to make it happen this year was such a blessing,” she said. “It took a lot of communication and organization, but it was so worth it.”
The club has seen major growth compared to previous seasons this semester. While the team holds tryouts every season, they have never had to make cuts. This year, the team had a turnout of over 40 girls, with only 25 available spots on the team.
“It was definitely tough having to make final decisions, but we’re really proud of the group of girls we have this year,” Seaholm said. “Everyone has been so committed and positive.”
Marshall said the team is a good mix of first-years and returning players.
She said the growth of the team has been exponential, and to see the work that both previous members and presidents have put in makes it feel like it is all coming together.
“It encourages me so much to build a club that is welcoming to so many people that are so interested,” Marshall said.
She said one of her goals as one of the club’s presidents is to make the PLNU community better as a whole, not just people who are interested in soccer. She said the club plans to have more community engagement, and that all people, regardless of soccer experience, are welcome to events.
“Knowing that the team started back up while I was a student here and seeing how far it’s come makes me feel so proud and grateful,” Seaholm said. “I feel so incredibly blessed to be a part of such an amazing community here.”
The club has become a way for girls to continue playing the sport without having to be on a collegiate team, according to Amanda Motley, a second-year business administration major.
“I’ve gotten to continue playing the sport I love at a fun and competitive level, which has been a blast,” Motley said. “The club team is meant more for girls that still want to play soccer, but don’t want the big-time commitment [of a collegiate team].”
Both Marshall and Motley said the team has a strong connection.
“The team has made a commitment to show up to everything that they can this semester, when before it was more for fun and people would just show up when they wanted to play,” Motley said.
Marshall said the team has fun but still plays competitively.
She also said that she thinks a big part of the success this season has to do with the leadership of the club.
“Other than me and Natalie, there are four dedicated, creative and passionate girls helping us put everything together,” Marshall said.
The other club leaders include Practice Manager Mackenzie Smotherman, Secretary Inara Zreik, Treasurer Ella Klindt and Communications Coordinator Jessy Sosa.
The club has been an important part of Marshall, Motley and Seaholm’s experiences at PLNU. Marshall and Motley both said the team has given them a sense of community and connections with girls they wouldn’t have gotten elsewhere. Seaholm reflected on the club’s impact on her.
“PLNU women’s soccer club has been such a huge part of my college experience, and I’m so proud of what we’ve all built together,” Seaholm said. “The team really embodies what PLNU is all about — reflecting community, positivity and shared passion.”
Cade Michaelson