Five men and women’s soccer players named to SCIAC All-Conference teams

Photo Courtesy of Emma Harper

Five players from Chapman’s men and women’s soccer teams were recognized as All-Conference selections for the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC), highlighting their excellent season-long performance.

The All-SCIAC First and Second Teams comprise the best players from around the conference for each sport. Each player was selected through a voting process where every head coach in the conference and the school’s sports information directors vote on players to fill the spots.

Emma Harper, a fifth-year computer science major and defensive player, ended her career with her second consecutive All-SCIAC First Team honor and third overall All-SCIAC selection. She scored two goals on the season and started all 17 matches.

Jenna Urrabazo, a junior strategic and corporate communications major and forward, and Pilar Vanheusden, a sophomore applied human physiology major and midfielder, were each selected for the Second Team. Urrabazo has been named to an All-SCIAC team each of her three years at Chapman: once for the First Team and two for the Second Team. She scored three goals and had seven assists, while Vanheusden scored four and assisted four.

Jackson Busby, a senior defender and business administration major, closed out his career going three for three in All-SCIAC First Team selections. He captained Chapman to their third SCIAC championship appearance in six seasons. Alex Glynn, junior business administration major and goalkeeper, received his first postseason award with a Second Team selection. Both Busby and Glynn anchored the team’s defense and kept four shutouts on the year.

For most of Chapman’s athletes selected for soccer, this was not their first time making the cut. Harper, Urrabazo and Busby have all been selected for either the First or Second Team three times throughout their Chapman careers.

Busby talked about his growth in an interview with The Panther.

“I think the area of my game that has grown more than my ability as a player is my maturity as a teammate and a leader,” Busby said. “I have learned that the dynamic of the team is far more important than any individual skill I bring to the table.”

Harper echoed similar sentiments to Busby, as the two defenders have left a lasting legacy at Chapman.

“Over the years, my confidence on the ball has grown, thanks to experience and the chemistry I’ve developed with my teammates,” Harper said. “That growth has been a huge factor in earning those All-SCIAC selections and has shaped me into a more composed and effective player on the field.”

Chemistry is a significant part of sports and the connection between players on a team. During the game against Pomona-Pitzer Colleges on Sept. 28, Harper had a game-winning goal when she headed in a corner kick from Urrabazo. 

“Moments like Jenna’s assist are an example of the trust and chemistry we’ve built,” Harper said. 

Harper has built connections on and off the field with her teammates, giving them praise over anything else.

 “I also have to give a lot of credit to my fellow center-back, Quinn Barrett,” Harper said. “From our first full season together to our last, we played side by side, forming a strong connection on the field. Playing alongside Quinn has been invaluable, especially because our contrasting styles balance each other so well.”

Vanheusden also commented on the bond the women’s soccer team has.

“Jenna Urrabazo and I had great chemistry this season up top,” she said. “We worked together super well to get goals in some important games. We both assisted each other’s goals this season and worked really well to create scoring opportunities together.”

On top of the excitement over individual awards, men’s soccer made a run all the way to the SCIAC Championship game before losing to Claremont-Mudd-Scripps.

Women’s soccer ended their season in fifth place in the SCIAC, losing in the inaugural play-in game. Though the team has made serious progress this season, Vanheusden said she knows there is more work to get done. 

“As a team, we are very proud of the work we put in this season, but we definitely have some work ahead of us,” Vanheusden said. “For next season, our goal is to win the league, make it further in the SCIAC playoffs and make it to the national tournament as well.”

Having played her final season this year, Harper said she still believes in the team’s potential.

“Making it to the SCIAC playoffs was a solid accomplishment, but we know we could have gone further,” Harper said. “I believe the team should continue to set their sights on winning the SCIAC. They have the potential to do it, they just need to take care of business, stay focused and make the most of every opportunity.”

This recognition honors and highlights the hard work, dedication, and skill of these players and their teams. For players like Harper, Urrabazo, Vanheusden, Busby and Glynn this achievement represents their efforts and commitment to the sport and the teamwork that defines Chapman soccer’s culture.