All posts by PUSC

College Bound

Connor Swartz Commits to Virginia Tech

In his own words…

“What attracted me to Virginia Tech is the traditional college environment I was looking for in a university. It is a well known university with a large campus, great college town, strong athletics and excellent academics, all of which were important factors I was looking for in choosing a school. When I visited the campus and met the coaching staff, I felt that they were coaches I would enjoy playing for and could help me reach my soccer goals for the future. I am also looking forward to playing in the ACC, one of the best soccer conferences in the country, as well as the opportunity to make an appearance in the NCAA tournament.

I would like to thank my parents, teammates and all the coaching staff at CDA and Placer United for helping me achieve one of my goals…playing college soccer!”

News

Placer United Girls Mustang Stampede Results

Seven Placer United teams travelled down to Danville last weekend to compete in the Mustang Stampede sponsored by Mustang Soccer Club. The tournament was filled with some of the best teams in Cal-N, Cal-S, Colorado and Washington.

Four of Placer teams made it through very difficult group play games and advanced.

The U11 Elite defeated Santa Clara Sporting 4-0, Mustang Blast 4-0 and tied Santa Rosa Riptide 1-1. They advanced to the quarter-finals and were up-ended by eventual finalist FSC 1-2.

The U13 Elite defeated Ajax 3-1, drew 0-0 with Arsenal (CA-S) and defeated SCA 1-0. The girls lost in the quarter-finals, 0-2 versus eventual champion, Pleasanton Rage.

The U15 Premier also adavanced through group play with a 1-0 win versus ACC Mavericks (finalist), a 1-0 loss versus VUSA Timbers and a 1-1 draw with Mustang Freedom. In the quarter-finals, they played through regulation and overtime to end in a 0-0 tie. The girls lost in penalty kicks.

The U15 Elite girls drew with Carlsbad Lightning 0-0, drew with Mustang Mavericks 1-1 and defeated Tynecastle (WA) 2-0 to advance to the quarter-finals. In the quarters, the girls defeated FC Elk Grove 2-0 and advanced to the semi-finals. In the semis, the girls were pitted against Bay Oaks Botafogo. There was no score in regulation and overtime and the girls fell in penalty kicks.

The U10 Elite, U12 Elite and U14 Elite had very difficult first round games and did not advance. They played Westminster, VUSA Timbers, Davis, Mustang, NW Nationals,and Eastside FC.

Congratulations to all teams! We will continue to challenege the players and compete in the best possible environment!

College Bound

Lauren Gollnick, ’94 Girls Elite Verbally Commits to Dominican University

In her own words…

“I have verbally committed to a wonderful soccer scholarship at Dominican University in beautiful San Rafael. I will be able to pursue an awesome career in either Nursing or Occupational Therapy. It’s the perfect place for me, with a small setting near San Francisco and the beach. I can’t wait to play college soccer under head coach Jon Delano.

Thank you very much to Ron Benjamin and the Placer United family for pushing me to be a better player, preparing me for the next level. I am especially grateful for all the support from my parents, Summer and Grant Gollnick. They always manage to catch my soccer games even with three siblings in competitive soccer too. Love you guys and Go Penguins!”

College Bound

Kim Hernandez of Placer ’93 Girls Commits to Jackson State University

In her own words…

“I have recently committed to Jackson State University in Mississippi. It’s a Division 1 and NCAA school. I’m playing soccer for them on a scholarship. I have yet to actually visit the school but from what I hear and see online it’s really nice. I believe it’s the right school for me because I wanted to go out of state for school, and experience a different environment. And JSU is definitely a different environment than what we have around here. I plan to give the team my all and succeed in school too. And I plan to achieve many things for myself in the world of soccer. I’d like to thank my former coaches: Randy Hernandez, Scott Oliver, Mike Rangel, Henry Reis, Seth Boyle, Danny Cruz, Jerry Zanelli, and Placer Coach, Ron Benjamin. You all made me the player I am today!”

News

Placer United Girls Travel to Pleasanton and San Diego

Placer United girls U9-U14 Elite and Premier teams were in action this past weekend at the Pleasanton Rage Juniors Showcase. Highlighting the weekend were the U11 Elite and U12 Elite. The U11 Elite, coached by Joe Black made it all the way to the finals. They beat Livermore 2-0, Castro Valley 5-0 and then tied 0-0 with Central Valley Magic to decide who went through to the finals. The Magic edged Placer Elite by one in goal differential. In the 3rd place match, the girls defeated San Juan Blue 4-2. The U12 Elite, coached by Matt Scammacca, reached the championship game by defeating Diablo FC 2-0, North Bay Elite 2-0 and then were upended in the championship 0-1 to DeAnza Force.

The U17 and U18 Elite girls teams travelled down to San Diego to compete in the prestigous Surf Cup. Over 350 college coaches were at the event scouting for their collegiate teams.

The U17 girls lost 0-2 to Real So Cal and 0-3 to Legends Breakaway, two of the top teams in Southern California. The girls rebounded with a 0-0 draw with the Central Valley Chillipeppers, a Northern California rival. 

The U18 girls lost 0-2 to Real So Cal in the opener. They then drew 0-0 with Legends FC. The team ended the event with a 1-1 draw with Fort Worth FC out of Texas missing out on the quarter-finals.

News

Emily Bringgold Selected for ODP Regional Camp Holdover

Emily Bringgold of the U15 Elite ’97G team has been selected to the USYSA Regional ODP holdover pool.

Fourteen ’97 state teams gathered in Moscow, Idaho in early July to compete for 36 spots in the holdover pool. Emily was selected as a center back and will now compete in the regional event July 26-30 in Southern California.

College Bound

Dorien Johnk Commits to Loyola Marymount University

In her own words…

“I am so excited to have the opportunity to attend and play soccer at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles! Playing Division 1 soccer in college has always been one of my goals. LMU has excellent academics and such an awesome soccer program, it was an easy decision. It offers everything that I was looking for in a college, including a great location near the beach. I would like to thank all my coaches at Placer: Gene DuChateau, Ron Benjamin, Bart Morefield, and John Chimienti.”

College Bound

Maria de la Cruz Heads to Idaho State University

In her own words…

“I have recently accepted a scholarship to Idaho State University because it felt absolutely perfect to me. It’s a place where I can continue my soccer career, playing Division 1 and also pursue an education at a top-notch 4 year university. The school campus is within a safe environment that has beautiful scenery, along with friendly people and an excellent coaching staff. I wouldn’t be where I am today without the guidance of my amazing soccer coaches: Chris Alcala, Jason Gantt, Gene DuChateau and Ron Benjamin. They have helped me blaze a successful trail of soccer skills through their inspirational coaching methods. I cannot thank them enough for all their dedication, time and effort. Also, I want to thank the teammates with whom I have built a bond that will last forever, and of course, my parents, who have supported me and stood on the sidelines cheering me on for nine memorable years. Go Bengals!”

News

Mikuni Sushi Will Host World Cup Party

Placer United Soccer Club sponsor, Mikuni Japanese Restaurant & Sushi Bar, will host a World Cup party at their Roseville location on Eureka Road this Sunday at 11:30am for the final soccer matchup between the USA and Japan for members of Placer United. Placer coach, Danny Cruz, has had the privilege of coaching two of the USA World Team players, Megan Rapinoe and Stephanie Cox, both of Northern California

“It is such a rush to watch these young women play, and to see them represent the United States with such passion and heart. The fact that these women are from Northern California and were trained early on in their soccer careers by a local coach makes it even more exciting for young girls looking at a future playing soccer,” said Jeanne Mabry, V.P. of Marketing for Mikuni. “We are thrilled to open our large banquet room in Roseville so Placer United soccer families can watch the final game together.”

The United States competes in the 2011 World Cup Finals against Japan this Sunday, July 17th at 11:45a.m. PST.

“Regardless of the outcome, it’s going to be a great game for everyone.” Mabry said.