Linfield University Athletics

SENIOR
Varsity letter. 
Appeared in and started all eight games. 
Recorded two goals and five assists. 
Scored a goal at Pacific, March 3 and at Willamette, March 17. 
Tallied two assists against Lewis & Clark, March 28.

JUNIOR
Varsity Letter.
Named honorable mention All-Northwest Conference.
Northwest Conference Scholar Athlete.
Named Northwest Conference Offensive Student-Athlete of the Week on Nov. 11.
Started all 20 games.
Totalled three goals and three assists.
Recorded season-best one goal and one assist against Whitman.
Tied season-best with one goal and one assist against Whitworth.
 
SOPHOMORE
Varsity letter.
Started and played in all 20 games.
Totaled five goals and five assists.
Dean’s List Recipient.
Accrued a GPA of 3.78.
Named to 2018 Northwest Conference Second Team All-Conference.
 
FRESHMAN
Named 2017 NWC Freshman of the Year.
Named to 2017 NWC First Team All-Conference.
Named to 2017 Third Team All-West Region.
Varsity letter.
Started and played in all 20 games.
Recorded her first collegiate goal.
Scored two goals and had two assists.
Dean’s List Recipient.
 
WESTVIEW HIGH SCHOOL
Three-year letterwinner.
Team captain.
Honorable mention all-league in 2016.
Member of 2014 Metro League championship team.
 
PERSONAL INFORMATION
Majoring in exercise science with a minor in coaching.
Parents are Jeff and Melinda Sponsel.
Dean’s list recipient.
Studied abroad in England during Jan Term 2020.
Served an internship at SNACK in 2019.
Vice presidet of ASLU during 2020-21 academic year.
 
WHY LINFIELD? One of the reasons I chose to attend Linfield, is because of how close to home it was. My family having the ability to come to all of my games was super important to me. My parents haven't missed a single game home or away game, throughout my college career, even out to the Whits. I also chose to attend Linfield because my aunt graduated from the Nursing School here and always talked very highly of the school, so I knew I would be able to get a great education for a field that I am interested in. Lastly, I was aware of McMinnville because my grandparents were born and raised here, as well as my dad being born in town but moving shortly after.
 
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A STUDENT-ATHLETE AT LINFIELD? Being a Student-Athlete to me means working hard, both in and out of the classroom. While I have to put my time and focus into my studies, I also have to remember to give it my all, out on the field. One of my favorite parts of being a Student-Athlete is the connections that you are able to make with other Student-Athletes around the school even though you are not playing the same sport. The way that all athletes go to each other’s games to support each other really makes the ALL-IN feeling that we talk about. Being a Student-Athlete allows me to not only be proud of my college, but to be able to represent them out of the field every weekend, showing other schools what Linfield is all about. Lastly, being a Student-Athlete has taught me more life skills that I would have never been able to get out of just a classroom, such as balancing schedules, organization, determination and so many others.
 
WHAT MAKES YOU INTERESTING AS A STUDENT ATHLETE? One of the things that makes me unique as a Student-Athlete is just how many different ways I have been able to incorporate my love for sports, especially soccer, into the things I am a part of on campus. I have been able to be a part of Student Government (ASLC) and be the sports director, allowing me to run all the Intramural sports last year and going to do again in 2019-2020. I have also integrated the different concepts I have learned in the classroom, into soccer allowing myself to continue to grow as a player. After my four years of playing college soccer have concluded I do not plan on letting that be the end of my soccer career, I plan on continuing to play as many nights a week as I can, whether it be indoor or outdoor. Soccer has always been a family sport for me, with my parents playing on multiple teams and my sister playing competitively as well.
 
WHAT IS NEXT AFTER LINFIELD? My career focus is to go into the Medical field either as a Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant. Linfield has given me the opportunity to get all the prerequisite classes I need to take done while majoring in something that is related to my love for sports with almost all of the classes. The exposure that I get as well to the different opportunities that are related to this field through Linfield, have helped me gain better understanding of what I want to do. Through Linfield I was able to do research with Sarah Coste, a physiology professor, in summer of 2019, which gave me a lot of skills that will help me run different tests within the medical field. I also got an internship through the SNACK program which not only helps me fulfil credits needed for my major, but also allows me to get some of the clinical hours I need for graduate school.
 
WHAT IS THE BEST CLASS YOU’VE TAKEN AT LINFIELD? The best class I have taken would have to be my student abroad Jan-term trip to England, even though I was not interested in economics at all I very much enjoyed the subject once it was related back to something that I am very passionate about; soccer.
 
WHEN NOT COMPETING IN SPORTS OR STUDYING FOR SCHOOL, I LIKE TO SPEND MY FREE TIME…Involved in the many other aspects of campus life, whether it be SAAC, LPC, ASLU, or ZTA I enjoy being involved and getting the full Linfield experience. I think the most important thing any student can do is to dive into all the opportunities that are offered to them because they are chances that you might never get again.
 
THE GREATEST LESSON THAT I’VE LEARNED WHILE COMPETING IN ATHLETICS AT LINFIELD HAS BEEN…It is never easy. No matter what the situation is that we might be facing whether it is on the field, in the classroom, or just in the world in general I have learned that you have to put your all into everything that you do even if it isn't the easiest thing. Especially with the COVID-19 situation that we are currently in there is so much uncertainty and it is important that even though we don't know when we will be having a full season again or what that will look like, it is vital that we continue to push each other on and off the field to become better.
 
WHAT HAS BEEN THE HIGHLIGHT OF YOUR LINFIELD CAREER THUS FAR? The highlight of my Linfield career was beating PLU on a senior day last year (2019). There was no better feeling than knowing that we had just beaten an undefeated team and that the last game our team would be playing that year on our home field would be such an epic win. That game was pure grit and mental strength and it was at the end of that game that I really truly realized just how much my teammates and myself were capable of achieving.