Seattle University women’s soccer, the back-to-back Western Athletic Conference champions, and head coach Julie Woodward announce the signing of seven student-athletes who will attend school and compete for the Redhawks starting in 2015-16. Emily Zimmer (San Marcos, Calif.), Hunter Mar (Kent, Wash.), Karli White (North Bend, Wash.), Summer Mason (Carlsbad, Calif.), Hannah Carrothers (Delta, BC), Ashley Routh (Edmonds, Wash.), and Kyla Danforth (Canyon Country, Calif.) have all signed NLI’s with Seattle University.

“This incoming class reminds me a lot of our outgoing seniors,” said Woodward. “I believe that what sets the most successful student-athletes apart is their character, commitment and consistency. I can see those qualities in this class, and I know that our program will nurture their desire to reach both individual and team goals. These new additions to the SU women’s soccer family have big shoes to fill, and I know they can do it.”

Emily Zimmer – Defender – San Marcos, Calif. (San Marcos High School)

Emily Zimmer is a four-year varsity letterwinner and will graduate from San Marcos High School in San Marcos, Calif. in 2015 where she helped lead the Knights to three straight league championships and CIF appearances. In January 2015, she was named Student-Athlete of the Month, and she also competes in track and field. Outside of athletics and academics, she participates in CSF and is the secretary for a group called Students Serving Soldiers. She has played with both Carlsbad Elite and West Coast Futbol Club and last summer, the team placed third in the ECNL Championships.

Woodward on Zimmer: “When we recruit defenders, we look for players who are smart, athletic, physical in the air, technical and hopefully two-footed – Emily meets every one of these criteria. She will increase our range of distribution out of the back and provide a physical presence that every team needs. Emily is a humble young woman, but you can’t ignore her impact on the field.”

Hunter Mar – Midfielder – Kent, Wash. (Kentridge High School)

A three-year varsity letterwinner, Hunter Mar will graduate from Kentridge High School in Kent, Wash. in 2015 where she led the Chargers to three playoff appearances in four seasons. Individually, she has earned SPSL Second Team All-State recognition twice, SPSL First Team All-League, and SPSL Scholar-Athlete Team honors three times. In 2012-13, she was named Offensive Player of the Year for her team and in 2011-12, received the Rookie of the Year Award. She has helped lead her club teams, most recently Washington Premier, to back-to-back ECNL Northwest Conference Championships and has served as team captain since 2013. Outside of athletics, Mar is a National Honor Society member, a Girls Honor member, and was a Homecoming princess.

Woodward on Mar: “Hunter is another player who fits what we look for on the recruiting trail. The first time I saw her play, she was the hardest worker on the field and I knew that I wanted her at SU. She is a technical, smart, competitive player with tremendous field awareness and understanding of the game. Her attitude to press fits our team mentality, and I love her commitment to improving her game.”

Karli White – Forward – North Bend, Wash. (Mount Si High School)

Karli White, a four-year varsity starter and two-time All-State selection, will graduate from Mount Si High School in 2015. White was the Kingco 4A League MVP her senior year and is a two-time First Team All-League selection. She led the Wildcats to the state playoffs three of four years, including her freshman season when they advanced to the state title game. A three-time Best Offensive Player, she was named Team MVP all four years, as well as serving as team captain in 2014. White broke the Mount Si single season goal and assists records with 17 goals and 10 assists and, outside of athletics, was a National Society member. At the club level, she has played with Crossfire Premier since 2009, where she has been a team captain each year and where the team won the state championship in 2010, also ranked third in the nation in 2011.

Woodward on White: “I’ve been watching Karli play since she was a little kid and even then, she always stood out as the most technically gifted player on the field. Karli is a confident, smart, mature, competitive young woman with the best first touch I’ve seen in a long time. I can’t wait to watch her score goals on Championship Field.”

Summer Mason – Forward – Carlsbad, Calif. (Carlsbad High School)

A three-year varsity letterwinner for the Lancers, Summer Mason will graduate from Carlsbad High School in Carlsbad, Calif. in 2015. The 2012 Offensive Player of the Year and 2014 Most Improved, she was also named CIF All-League Second Team (2013-14) and is a three-time Scholar-Athlete (2012-2015). As of January 2015, Mason has scored 60 goals and recorded 26 assists for 146 points. She helped lead the Lancers to three Avocado West League Championships the past three years, as well as two CIF finals finishes (2012, 2014), including a championship in 2012, and a semifinal appearance in 2013. In club play, she was the team leader in goals (17) and assists (9) for the So Cal Blues ECNL, with whom she has played since 2012.

Woodward on Mason: “Summer is a goal scorer, a fierce competitor and a winner. Summer reminds me of Stephanie Verdoia, in that she scores a lot of goals with her pressing, but she can also do it with superior skill. She is going to fit right in with our team dynamic because she is an outstanding student, a wonderful person and her work ethic is second to none. I would hate to play against Summer, and I’m thankful that we don’t have to.”

Hannah Carrothers – Defender – Delta, BC (South Delta Secondary School)

Hannah Carrothers, a native of Delta B.C., will graduate from South Delta Secondary School in Delta B.C. in 2015. As a left fullback, she has competed with the Vancouver Whitecaps U18 Girls Elite Team since 2013 under coach Jesse Symons. She was a member of the U14-15 National Training Centers and a member of the U14, U15, and U16 B.C. Provincial Team, co-captaining U-16. She was honored with the Ben Hemphill "Inspirational Player of the Year" Award for her soccer excellence in 2013 with Coastal FC of the B.C. Soccer Premier League. Carrothers was a 2012 All-Star Team selection at the Western Canadian Championship. She was invited to Canada's U-15 Women's National Team Camp in 2012. Academically, she is a Principal's List member for achieving a 92% average or higher as well as a member of student council.

Woodward on Carrothers: “Possessing years of competitive experience with the Whitecaps, Hannah is a high level player who will transition to the college game very quickly. She is a talented left back with incredible fitness, allowing her to contribute to the attack without neglecting her defensive responsibilities. Hannah is a special talent and a wonderful young woman who exemplifies our team values of character, commitment, and consistency.”

Ashley Routh – Goalkeeper – Edmonds, Wash. (Meadowdale High School)

Ashley Routh, a four year varsity starter, will graduate from Meadowdale High School in Edmonds, Wash. in 2015 where she helped lead the Mavericks to three district championships, the 2013 state quarterfinals, and back-to-back state semifinals. Recording 33 shutouts from 2011-2013, she was named First Team All WESCO 3A (2012) Second Team All WESCO 3A (2011, 2013), and WSSCA All-State (2014). Competing with the Northwest Nationals G96 Red club team since 2009, Routh helped lead the team to a US Club Super Group U13 National Championship in 2010 and a USYSA State Cup Championship in 2014. The team also advanced to the WSYSA State Championship finals (2012) and semifinals (2013).

Woodward on Routh: “Ashley is a talented goalkeeper with a great deal of talent. She reminds us a lot of Brianna Smallidge in that she has great instincts, loves Seattle U, and her athletic potential is through the roof. Ashley has improved so much over the past year, and we know that she will put in every effort, both on and off the field, to reach her potential as a student-athlete at Seattle U. The sky is the limit with her.”

Kyla Danforth – Midfielder – Canyon Country, Calif. (Canyon High School)

A four year varsity letterwinner, Kyla Danforth will graduate from Canyon High School in Canyon County, Calif. in 2015 where she helped lead the Cowboys to two straight CIF playoffs the past two seasons. Named Team MVP for soccer in 2014, she also competes in cross country/track and field, is a two-time Most Valuable Distance Runner and a JV League Champion in 2012. In 2013, she was named First Team All-League and Rookie of the Year and in 2014, she was named CIF All-Team Cross Country and First Team All-League, as well as a CIF finalist. At the club level for soccer, she has competed with Real So Cal the past three years where she helped lead the team to a back-to-back Surf Cup Championships (2013, 2014) as well as to back-to-back ECNL Champions League tournaments.

Woodward on Danforth: “We take pride in our team’s technical skill and fitness and Kyla is tremendous in both areas. She can cover a ton of ground, completes almost all of her passes, and is comfortable attacking one-on-one. Kyla’s awareness and movement into midfield pockets of space is beyond her years and I think she will fit very nicely into our system. We are also very excited to cheer her on as she competes for Seattle U track and field during our offseason!”