MINNEAPOLIS -- Augsburg University women's soccer forward Jayla Ponce (SR, Kuna, Idaho/Kuna HS) was named to the United Soccer Coaches Division III All-Region IX squad as a fourth-team honoree, it was announced on Tuesday. It's the second straight All-Region honor for Ponce, who was a second-team honoree in 2023.

The award is the latest for Ponce, who earned All-Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference honors for the third straight year. A master's of business administration student (business administration/economics undergraduate major) with a 4.00 grade-point average, Ponce also earned College Sports Communicators Academic All-District honors for the second straight year.

It's the 34th time that an Augsburg women's soccer player has earned United Soccer Coaches (formerly NSCAA) All-Region honors in program history. A total of 48 players from colleges and universities in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa and Illinois were named to four All-Region IX teams -- 11-player first and second teams, and 13-player third and fourth teams.

Returning for a graduate campaign in 2024, Ponce was once again one of the best all-around players in the MIAC this season. In her third season as an Auggie after transferring from Division II Fort Lewis (Colo.), Ponce led the Auggies with 12 goals, 27 points and five game-winning goals, to go along with three assists. Her 12 goals tied for the MIAC lead this season, while her 27 points were second-most. Starting all 18 games (1,456 minutes played, 81.4 minutes per-game), she had eight full 90-minute efforts, scoring goals in seven contests. She had two of her three collegiate hat tricks this season, scoring three goals in Augsburg's 6-0 win at Bethany Lutheran on Sept. 10 and in the Auggies' 3-0 win over St. Scholastica on Oct. 26. Playing in 55 games in three seasons as an Auggie (4,457 minutes, 81.0 minutes per-game), Ponce scored 29 goals (sixth-most in Augsburg history) with 24 assists (seventh) for 82 points (sixth) in her Auggie years.

Under second-year head coach Clara Webby, Augsburg finished 8-5-5 overall, 4-2-5 in MIAC play in 2024. Augsburg made its 14th appearance in the MIAC postseason playoffs since 2004, and 10th playoff appearance in the last 12 full seasons.