NEXT LEVEL: Alyssa Valenzuela Commits to Point University

WEST POINT, Ga. - Allan Hancock College women's soccer defender, Alyssa Valenzuela, will continue her academic and athletic career next season at Point University.

"My decision to commit to Point was very easy, considering that I would get to play soccer at the next level while continuing to pursue my degree in Criminal Justice. Point has a great academic program and will help me get to where I want to go. When I went out to Georgia for my visit, I felt very at home. ," Valenzuela shared. "I loved the small college feel from my visit, and I felt like I fit in immediately after meeting the coaches and the team. I also love what the program is striving for, and I want to be part of that journey."

Valenzuela completed her second season on the field with the Bulldogs in the fall. The Santa Maria native started in all 42 games of her two-year career at AHC after appearing in 21 contests each season. As a freshman, Valenzuela was selected as a Second Team All-Conference honoree while serving as a critical piece for a defensive core that tallied nine shutouts with a 0.95 goals-against average in the regular season. That group went on to claim the first outright Western State Conference (North) title in program history. 

"My time at Allan Hancock helped prepare me immensely, both academically and athletically. I loved the fact that at Hancock, I was able to obtain a free two-year education to receive my Associate's degree. The academic staff here is amazing and truly wants to see you succeed," Valenzuela added. "Athletically, I was able to see firsthand how it would be to play at the collegiate level with a faster pace and a more physical game. My coaches and teammates here really pushed me and helped get me ready for the next level. Hancock also helped me with time management between school, work, and soccer. I definitely feel more ready to take these next few steps to grow as a person and an athlete at Point."

The Skyhawks are a member of the NAIA and compete in the highly competitive Southern States Athletic Conference.