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Feb. 6, 2013

BELLINGHAM, Wash. - Two high school seniors, both of whom were all-state picks and prolific goal scorers, have signed national letters of intent to play women's soccer at Western Washington University beginning this fall. They are Elise Aylward from Lindbergh High School in Renton and Caitlyn Jobanek from Thurston High School in Springfield, Ore.

"We are excited to add two players of this caliber to an already fantastic returning group of players," said WWU head coach Travis Connell. "We expect them to make an immediate impact as freshmen both on and off the field. These two young ladies are great students, talented soccer players and both have great character."

Aylward was a second-team Class 2A all-state, first-team Seattle Times Star Times all-Area and Seamount League Player of the Year as a senior at Lindbergh. She had 32 goals, 13 assists and 77 points for the Eagles, helping them to the state playoffs for the first time since 2010 and a tie for the league title.

"Elise is a powerful attacking player who combines speed, strength and skill to overwhelm opponents," said Connell. "She played at a high level for Andy Schmetzer's Crossfire team so we know she is college ready. She has a tremendous work ethic and can score goals."

Jobanek was a first-team Class 6A all-State choice as a senior at Thurston. She played on a state championship team that finished 17-0-1.

In the playoffs, Jobanek assisted on a goal in a 2-0 state title game win over Clackamas and scored the game winner in a 1-0 victory over Grant in the state semifinals.

Jobanek finished her four-year prep career with 52 goals, 42 assists and 146 points, having 11 goals and 12 assists as a senior.

"Caitlyn is a versatile player who can play just about every position on the field," Connell said. "We will use her in an attacking role next year to take advantage of her creative playmaking abilities. She is fast, skilled and dangerous off the dribble."

Last fall, WWU finished with a 19-4-0 record, winning both the Great Northwest Athletic Conference regular-season and tournament titles and reaching the title game at the NCAA Division II Far West Regional.

Elise Aylward, Forward, Freshman, 5-9, 18, 11/18/94, Renton, WA

HIGH SCHOOL: Second-team Class 2A all-State, first-team Seattle Times Star Times All-Area and Seamount League Player of the Year as senior at Lindbergh High School ... Had 32 goals, 13 assists and 77 points for Eagles, helping them to first round of state playoffs for first time since 2010 and tie for league title ... Scored career-high six goals versus Renton and four against Hazen ... Team captain and team MVP ... Missed junior season with hamstring and quad injuries ... Helped teams to state playoff appearances as freshman and sophomore ... First-team all-league as freshman and team captain as sophomore ... Three-year letter winner ... Also earned one letter in track, qualifying for state meet in 400 and 4x100 relay ... Also has competed on Elite Club National League Crossfire team since 2008 ... Played on squads that won U.S. club regional and national championships in 2009 and state cup in 2011.

PERSONAL: Plans to major in biology ... Four-time academic all-league honoree.

Caitlyn Jobanek, Forward, Freshman, 5-2, 18, 12/5/94, Springfield, OR

HIGH SCHOOL: Had career totals of 52 goals, 42 assists and 146 points at Thurston High School ... First-team Class 6A all-State as senior, leading team to 17-0-1 record and state title ... Assisted on goal in 2-0 state championship game win over Clackamas and scored game winner in 1-0 victory over Grant in state semifinals ... Finished with 11 goals and 12 assists ... First-team Special District 1 and team captain ... Honorable mention all-state and first-team all-district as junior ... Offensive MVP with 18 goals and 15 assists ... Helped Colts reach state quarterfinals ... First-team all-district as sophomore ... Offensive MVP with 19 goals and 8 assists on squad that reached state quarterfinals ... Played on Midwestern League champion and reached state semifinals as freshman ... Had 4 goals and 7 assists ... Four-year letter winner ... Also earned three letters in basketball and two in track ... As junior, received honorable mention all-league in basketball and ran in 4x100 relay at state meet.

PERSONAL: Plans to major in biology ... National Honor Society member.