All posts by PUSC

College Bound

Hannah Zieour Commits to the Wolverines at Sierra College

“I’m so excited to announce my commitment to Sierra College to continue my education and soccer career! I could not have done it without the constant support of my family and friends. Special shout-out to my favorite coaches Ron and BJ, I would not be the player I am today without you guys! Soccer has shaped me into who I am and taught me life skills that I will use forever. I am extremely grateful for Placer United providing the best coaching and club experience I could’ve asked for. I can’t wait to see what the future holds. Go Wolverines!”—Hannah Zieour

College Bound

2021 Grad Gianna Cologna Commits to University of New Haven

“I am excited to announce that I have committed to the University of New Haven as a Forensic Science major! I plan to play club soccer there my first year and hopefully join the school’s Division 2 team later on. Thank you to my friends and family who have supported me throughout my soccer career and to my coaches at Placer, BJ, and Todd, for helping me to become the player I am today. I can’t wait to further my education and continue playing soccer!” — Gianna Cologna 

College Bound

2021 Grad Ariana Scholten of U19 02/03 NPL 1 Heading South to University of San Diego

“I am so blessed and humbled to announce that I have committed to the University of San Diego! I cannot wait to further my education and continue my soccer career, and also continue to grow as a person! Thank you to all my friends and family who constantly pushed me to achieve my dreams, and thank you to all my coaches and trainers who helped these dreams become reality!”—Ariana Scholten 

College Bound

Hannah Olariu of the U19 02/03 NPL 1 Commits to the William Jessup Warriors

“I am extremely excited to announce my commitment to William Jessup University to further my academic and athletic career. I would like to first thank my family for all of their support and time to get me where I am today, as well as my teammates and coaches. I would also like to thank Ron Benjamin for pushing me to become the best player I could be here at Placer, as well as helping me throughout the recruitment process. Go Warriors!”—Hannah Olariu

College Bound

Evan Schoer is Headed to Folsom Lake College

“I am excited to announce that I have committed to further my soccer career at Folsom Lake College. Big thanks to my mom and dad, who have been my biggest supporters ever since I started playing soccer. I’d also like to give a shoutout to all of my teammates, friends, and coaches who have pushed me to always be a better player. I’m looking forward to getting started at Folsom Lake and can’t wait to see where it will take me! #GoFalcons”—Evan Schoer

College Bound

Alia Sinoff Commits to Long Beach State University

“I am very excited to announce my commitment to continue my academic and athletic career at Long Beach State University! I am looking forward to continuing my dream of being a collegiate soccer player. Thank you to my parents, teammates, and coaches for their immense support in helping me achieve this goal. A huge thank you to coach Ron Benjamin for helping me with the recruitment process and for being a supportive coach over the years. Go Beach!”—Alia Sinoff 

College Bound

Jordan Davis Commits to William Penn University in Iowa

“I am extremely excited to announce my commitment to William Penn University in Iowa to further my academic and athletic career. I’d like to thank my family, coaches and teammates for always supporting me. Special thanks to Matt Scammacca for giving me a chance on his team, believing in me all these years, and providing me with the discipline I needed to push myself to become a better player. I am hopeful that I have the same relationship with my new coaches at Penn, and looking forward to the next chapter in my soccer journey.  Go Statesmen!”—Jordan Davis

College Bound

Ciana Miller of 02/03 Commits to Eastern Kentucky University 

“I’m very excited to announce that I have verbally committed to Eastern Kentucky University to pursue my education and fulfill my goal of playing D1 soccer as a Colonel. Thank you to my family, coaches, teammates, and friends for the unconditional support over the years. A special thanks to Ron Benjamin for pushing me to be the best player I can be, and helping me throughout the recruiting process. I would also like to thank Matt Cosinuke and the EKU coaching staff for giving me this amazing opportunity. Go Colonels!”—Ciana Miller

 

News

Earthquakes Sign 21-Year-Old Forward Benji Kikanovic

February 16, 2021
SJEarthquakes.com

SAN JOSE, Calif. –  The San Jose Earthquakes have signed forward Benji Kikanovic to a one-year contract with club options through the 2024 season.

“Benji has been on our radar for several years and we’re happy he’ll be joining the first team,” said Earthquakes general manager Jesse Fioranelli. “He is a player that we thought very highly of in college and we were impressed by his transition to the professional game last year. We’ll create an individualized program for him and believe in his future in MLS.”

Kikanovic, 21, spent the 2020 season with the Quakes’ former USL Championship affiliate Reno 1868 FC, scoring two goals in 13 appearances.

Prior to joining Reno, Kikanovic competed for Sacramento State University for two seasons. He appeared in 34 of the team’s 35 matches from 2018 to 2019, making 33 starts and tallying nine goals and five assists. As a freshman in 2018, Kikanovic led the team in goals (5), game-winning goals (2) and assists (4), earning Big West Co-Freshman of the Year and Second Team All-Big West Conference accolades. He was the only freshman in the Big West Conference to earn First or Second Team recognition that season. The following year, he tallied four goals and an assist to earn his second consecutive Second Team All-Big West Conference honor.

Kikanovic, a former youth player at Placer United Soccer Club, also spent time with NPSL side Sacramento Gold FC in 2019.

News

Illinois Tech Alumni Spotlight on Kirsten Robinson

Alumni Spotlight – Kirsten Robinson ’19 (Women’s Soccer)
February 16, 2021

CHICAGO–Kirsten Robinson ’19 was a four-year member (2015-18) of the Illinois Institute of Technology women’s soccer program as a midfielder/forward. The civil/environmental engineering major from Newcastle, California registered nine goals and 15 assists for 33 points over 77 career games. Her 164 career shot attempts ranks fifth in the Scarlet Hawks’ modern-day record book, while her 15 career assists stands at No. 9. Robinson’s senior season ended with a spot on the 2018 All-NACC Second Team. She also landed a spot on the 2017 All-Association of Division III Independents First Team, after she secured 2016 All-AD3I Third Team honors.

What is your favorite memory about your time as a Scarlet Hawk, on or off the playing surface?: My favorite memory is my senior night game, not just for the additional attention, but because we played a rather challenging opponent; by winning in overtime, we solidified our spot in the league’s championship. We were not only making program history, we were battling together as a team with so much love and support from the stands. A night to remember.

What are you most proud of from your time as a Scarlet Hawk?: As a growing program, I am proud to have been a part of many firsts for the women’s soccer program. This includes transitioning to NCAA Division III and reaching the league championships.

What advice would you give to your college self or current Scarlet Hawks?: Really work hard and cherish every bruise and every day you get to play the sport you love. You’re not only going to miss it, but you’re really going to kick yourself if you don’t take full advantage of the relationships, growth and memories you’ll gain from the experience.

Where do you currently live and what do you do for a career?: I currently live in the heart of San Francisco, California working for an engineering design firm. As a building energy analysis and modeling consultant, I aid building design through a variety of sustainable practices like LEED certification and renewable energy design.

How did your collegiate career prepare you for life after college?: Collegiate sports are as much about mental aptitude as they are about physical prowess. I learned about confidence, compromise, communication and a multitude of other life skills through interacting with peers, officials and coaches.

What personal or professional accomplishments are you most proud of since you graduated from Illinois Tech?: Since graduating, I’ve traveled, I’ve moved back across the country, and I’ve adopted a dog, all have been big adventures. Professionally, I became LEED AP accredited and am proud to be halfway through my second year with a great company.

How are you still involved with your sport?: It’s been a real joy playing in small leagues and pick-up games now that I’ve “retired.” I hope to coach youth again someday, or even practice with a semipro team again, but I am enjoying being able to play freely with friends and colleagues. As always, it’s a great way to meet and bond with people!

What attribute from your time as a student-athlete has helped you in your professional career the most?: Sociability is a huge thing in life and it’s a big benefit in the professional world. That plus an understanding of balancing teamwork and individual responsibility have had a great impact in my career thus far.