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.

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.

From Placer to Portugal: How a Two Hour Drive Turned Into a Pro-Contract

by Lily Dubuc

It’s been a tough year for everyone, including women’s soccer around the world. I feel fortunate to live in Portugal, playing professionally with Racing Power F.C.

Six years ago, my week looked like this:

• Wake up at 6:00 a.m.
• Go to school
• Take a nap in my car
• Drive two hours down to soccer training with Placer United
• Drive two hours home
• Shower
• Fall into bed just before midnight
• Repeat 3-5 times a week as needed

It was one of the happiest times of my life.

Placer United is synonymous with family for me. I was lucky enough to train with multiple coaches on both the girls’ and boys’ sides of the club. It was where I grew as a player and person and made friendships that have lasted a lifetime. It’s also where I learned the value of grit, playing for the good of the team, and the tactical side of the beautiful game. It’s where I gained the experience to play every position on the pitch and live up to my coaches’ and teammates’ high standards. Every day I still try to make Placer United proud of me as a person and player.

Playing for Placer led to playing for Dominican University in California. After four seasons, some better than others, I left for the final semester of my undergrad degree at the University of Oxford. I received multiple player of the week accolades, conference awards, and a new left ankle.

After arriving in Oxford, I joined the University team and instantly felt at home. Thanks to Placer United’s soccer foundation, I transitioned from being a winger to a defensive center midfielder. I found myself surrounded by the love of the game in England with brilliant teammates. It felt like a great end to a successful collegiate career.

Fast forward to the real world, where I gave my best at being a proper adult by moving to Boston and getting a full-time job while also joining four amateur teams in the area. Then COVID-19 hit, and I knew that I needed soccer to be the center of my world again.

Lily Dubc – back row third from right

While I waited for the vaccine for COVID-19 to come, I moved back to Oxford, where I was lucky enough to play for Oxford City F.C. and coach at the University of Oxford. A second national lockdown and an expiring visa sent me back home to the Tahoe area.

Once the January transfer window opened up, I was lucky to have Racing Power F.C. watch my highlight video and reach out via my agent at R.A.C. One week later and I was packing my bags to move to Portugal for my first professional contract.

From driving two hours each way for Placer to flying to Portugal, I am fortunate to be able to continue to play the game I love, even in a pandemic. I’d like to thank my parents, sister, uncle, and the Rohlf family for driving with me all those years for training. Playing with the Dominican Athletic team, Blues, and Catz football at the University of Oxford reminds me how much I love this game. I sincerely appreciate Oxford City F.C., R.A.C. agency, Racing Power F.C., and Placer United. Without the support of all the Placer United coaches, staff, and teammates throughout the years, I never would have had this opportunity. I’ll always be proud to have played for Placer United.