“I am excited and honored to announce my verbal commitment to continue my soccer journey at Sonoma State University. I thank my teammates, family, and coaches who have helped me get this far. But a big thank you to Ron Benjamin, who opened this door for me. I can’t wait for the season. Go Seawolves!” — Jenna Dean
NASHVILLE – The Trevecca Nazarene University men’s soccer team (1-0-0) opened the season with a 2-0 shutout of the visiting University of Alabama in Huntsville Chargers (0-1-0) on Thursday at the Trojan Soccer Complex.
The Trojans took the lead in the 35th minute on a Marlon Grossmann goal, his first career goal for the Trojans and the first of the season for the Purple and White. Michael Martey played the ball to Grossman near the mouth of the goal for his first assist of the year.
The Trojans and Grossmann found the back of the net quickly as the second half started, Grossmann scored in the 48th minute. It was Ben Sieber on the assist, his first career assist.
Neither team could get on the scoreboard for the rest of the match.
Giancarlo Martinez tallied one save while playing the full 90 in goal for the Chargers.
The Chargers held the edge in shots on goal against TNU by a 9-4 margin. UAH generated seven corner kicks to the Trojans’ four, but Trevecca collected a total of 17 shots and finished twice for the win.
The Trojans head to Jackson, Tenn. on Wednesday when they face the Bulldogs of Union University at 7:30 PM.
Visit the Official Home of Trevecca Athletics at www.tnutrojans.com
BUENOS AIRES — For the first time in nearly three years, NorCal Premier Soccer sent more than 30 coaches abroad to learn from some of the best clubs in the world in order to bring back valuable lessons to Northern California.
NorCal Premier Soccer believes that better coaches make better players which is why the organization’s leadership worked in conjunction with the Argentine Technicians Football Association and Premier International Tours to schedule a 10-day program designed to improve the practices of nearly three dozen NorCal leaders.
Following the trip the coaches, mostly made up of club directors throughout the state, will pass along what they’ve learned to players and other coaches to raise the level of the game locally.
After a long day of traveling, the NorCal contingent arrived in Buenos Aires Friday and immediately began the course with a lecture from Juan Cruz Anselmi, a youth development expert who has worked with famous Argentine clubs Independiente, San Lorenzo, and Newell’s Old Boys as well as for the AFA and CONMEBOL.
Anselmi’s three-hour presentation and discussion focused on early development from ages 6-13 and how much of an impact those crucial years can have on a player especially when it comes to the thousands of decisions they must make each game.
“We talk a lot about decision making when players have the ball but over here in Argentina, they’re referring to the decision that is made first before you get the ball when you’re scanning and you’re anticipating what’s going to happen,” said PDP Assistant Director Justin Selander. “And then as the ball is coming to you, you’re thinking of your decision and then once you receive the ball there’s a different process of how you make that decision. Then once you receive the ball there’s even another decision to be made when you feel pressure. It was fascinating to learn more about the pieces of how you make decisions before you have the ball when a lot of our decision making is when we do have the ball.”
The longtime youth coach then gave a detailed explanation on how to work well in those formative years, going over a seven step process while stressing the need for trainers to formulate their lessons to the individual child based on their socio-cultural background and personality traits.
“If you don’t work really well in these formative years, it will be tough to fully develop a player,” Anselmi said.
This idea came from early in Anselmi’s coaching career when he tried to directly replicate a model from another country but found it ineffective with Argentine players.
“(The kids) are players before they’re athletes,” Anselmi said. “The game needs to be adapted to fit the player, not the other way around.”
After a much-needed full night of sleep, the coaches went back to work Saturday morning where they bussed just outside of Buenos Aires proper to visit the training center of Independiente, the most successful club in the history of the Copa Libertadores.
There, the NorCal visitors were allowed to observe three youth team games as the capital city side faced fellow Primera Division club Sarmiento before first team staff members Maximiliano Sa and Santiago Rodriguez and club legend Francisco Sa explained the vision and goals for Independiente.
The trio provided detailed information on the periodization process for the entire year of trainings while laying out the club’s core philosophy, namely to always think forward both on and off the field.
According to Independiente, there are many desirable qualities in players with intelligence counting as the hardest to develop, but the most important for the club that produced Sergio Aguero will always be passion.
Independiente tries to foster this passion among their youth, many who grow up in the poorer areas of the city and can’t even afford bus fare to practice, which is why they choose to encourage their players to develop decision making skills in a calm and compassionate way. Here if a team is struggling in training, the coach will call them aside and ask what they can do to fix the issues. Only if the team continues to struggle will the coaches provide suggestions.
“Independiente talked about their rich history and are very proud of their accomplishments, not only in winning championships, but developing players and taking care of them in their youth,” said Placer United Boys Director of Coaching Kevin Unsworth. “I was really impressed by their openness to share information with us in addition to giving us full access to their facilities.”
Saturday night brought the much-anticipated first Argentine Primera Division game of the trip where the group of more than 30 traveled to the south side of Buenos Aires to watch Huracan defeat Newell’s Old Boys 1-0 in a match full of physicality and passion.
“The players played at such an intense speed and were always looking to go forward,” Selander said. “There were lots of intense battles, you’ve gotta be able to play with a lot of nicks and bruises here. The crowd is so connected with the fans and team, it doesn’t really seem like they’re ever really negative with them, they’re constantly trying to connect with them and show their love and support.”
“Seeing this shows me how we need the consistency in training of being intense in our actions and the intensity of sessions when players are in the moment of the action in practice, they have to be going 100 percent or more,” he added. “We have to figure out how mentally we can get them to always give their best.”
The following day, NorCal coaches took the time to learn a little more about Buenos Aires and perhaps its most famous club, Boca Juniors. The group toured the city’s La Boca neighborhood, visited the club museum, and ended the day with a Primera match between Defensa y Justica and Boca Juniors.
Finally, the coaches ended their short time in Buenos Aires by watching youth and first team trainings at Lanus before listening to a lecture from the club’s staff.
For those in attendance, it was an opportunity to experience the game at its more humble stage as the Lanus complex lies in an area surrounded by homes that are barred up and fenced for the protection of their owners. NorCal’s tour guide likened the experience of those growing up here to living in jail where the people were prisoners rather than criminals and one of the few ways to escape this metaphorical prison was through soccer. Perhaps this is why, as many noted, the Argentine players fight for every loose ball and through every challenge with a ferocity not often seen elsewhere.
“Both club visits were fun and interesting experiences,” Unsworth said. “What really stood out was their sense of community and culture. Overall I’m really happy to be here and looking forward to seeing what else the trip has in store for us.”
After Lanus, it was onto Rosario where NorCal’s trip begins Monday night after a drive through the Argentine countryside.
RICHMOND, Va. (August 18, 2022) – After an extraordinary 2021-22 season that saw the ECNL Girls Regional League crown the inaugural ECNL Regional League Champions in Seattle, the league is excited to announce the first ever ECNL All-Regional League teams.
“These players have not only excelled as individuals in their performances on the field but have helped their teams qualify for the postseason championship events and the 2022 Regional League Finals in Seattle,” said ECNL Girls Commissioner Ralph Richards. “Congratulations to the players for their dedication, commitment, and years of hard work to earn this honor. We are excited to see what these fantastic young ladies will do in the future in the regional league, in college, and beyond.”
Honorees were selected by conference awards committees with technical representatives from every club in each of the 13 ECNL Girls Regional Leagues. A total of 20 players across all four age groups were selected from each league.
The following Placer United players made the All-Regional League Team for NorCal:
ECNL All-Regional League – NorCal – Click here for full team
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About the ECNL:
The ECNL is the nation’s leading youth soccer development platform. The ECNL respects and celebrates the unique individuality of every youth soccer player and club, supporting and enabling them to unleash their unfettered passion and fierce tenacity in striving to achieve their potential.
The ECNL mission to Raise the Game is a total commitment to create the best possible environment for players, coaches, referees and administrators, with a determination to constantly question convention and challenge the status quo in youth sports.
The ECNL Commitment:
We will lead, set our eyes on new horizons, and pursue them relentlessly. Born out of the belief in a better way. Continued in the ever-evolving pursuit of excellence.
“First, I would like to thank my entire family. The constant and unquestioned support for anything and everything I could ever need has allowed me to have this opportunity to fulfill my dreams. I am lucky to have such a powerful and uplifting support system for even the most minor things.
I would also like to thank my many coaches and trainers through the years. My coaches from Placer, Todd DeCarlo and Leo Marin, renewed my self-confidence with their guidance and unwavering belief in me, allowing me to become the player I am today. Go Raiders!” — Brooklyn Hayes
“I am excited to announce my verbal commitment to play soccer at Cal Lutheran University! Thank you to my family, who has dedicated so much time and support, especially my dad, who first encouraged me to play soccer at a young age. I would also like to thank all my teammates and coaches who have pushed me to be the player I am today. I am looking forward to these next four years! Go Regals!” — Caitlyn Winter 
“I am pleased to announce my verbal commitment to Cal Poly Humboldt to further my soccer career and academic plans! I would love to thank my family and my sister for being my #1 supporter from wherever she was but especially my parents for making my goals a reality. They have been the ones to motivate and guide me throughout my 11 years of playing at Placer United. From going through programs like the DA with all the travel and helping me get more exposure to better my recruitment and college goals, thank you, Mom and Dad! Thank you to my best friends, my teammates, and especially my coaches who have helped me get to where I am today: Ron Benjamin, Don Finley, Janis Hurter, Nate Gargiulo, Charles Dukes, and everyone who played a role during my career. You have all played a part in boosting my confidence and the love I have for soccer. I would not be here without you all. Finally, I am thrilled to continue with the sport I love with Coach Grant and my future teammates! Go Lumberjacks!”—Emma Hardy
“I am excited to announce my commitment to Chico State to continue my education and play collegiate soccer. I want to thank, first and foremost, my family for their unrelenting dedication of time and support! I would also like to thank my coaches and teammates for always pushing me to be my best. Go Wildcats! — Farrah Bender 
ECNL Contact: Jacob Born; 314-440-0644
Press Contact: Erica Bates; 917-559-4984
RICHMOND, Va. (April 25, 2022) – Today ECNL Girls announced a conference realignment in the west to create the new Northern Cal Conference, a brand-new conference for 10 clubs to kick off in the 2022-23 season. The Northern Cal Conference will be the home for eight northern California clubs currently playing in the Northwest Conference: Davis Legacy, De Anza Force, Marin FC, Mustang SC, MVLA, Pleasanton Rage, San Juan SC and Santa Rosa United.
In addition, the Northern Cal will welcome Bay Area Surf and Placer United as new clubs into the ECNL Girls for the 2022-23 season, rewarding both clubs’ performances in the ECNL Regional League – NorCal this year.
“We are thrilled to be welcoming Bay Area Surf and Placer United to the ECNL Girls platform for the 2022-23 season and the creation of the Northern Cal Conference,” said Jen Winnagle,
ECNL COO and Girls Commissioner. “This new conference will provide fantastic games with much-reduced travel for all teams, allowing an even better experience for players to develop to their full potential. The creation of a new conference recognizes the depth of talent in the region, and the addition of Bay Area Surf and Placer United increases the competition level across the board.”
Bay Area Surf
Sunnyvale, CA
“Bay Area Surf is extremely excited to be invited as a new member club in Girls ECNL,” said Heath Piper, Executive Academy Director. “Our goal has always been to look for the best competition for our program locally and nationally. The ECNL platform has proven over the years to be the top girls league in the country and it’s an honor for our program to have been selected to represent the ECNL brand. We look forward to the competition and the opportunities for our players to showcase their talent at the highest level each week. We know that this will only further enhance their opportunities collegiately and beyond.”
Placer United
Rocklin, CA
“We are absolutely delighted to be accepted into the ECNL Girls platform,” said Ron Benjamin, Director of Coaching. “This acceptance is a reward for years upon years of hard work and dedication, trying to make our club one of the prominent youth soccer organizations in northern California. We look forward to playing in the ECNL competition and enhancing our college recruitment process and opening up even more avenues for our female athletes.”
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About the ECNL
The ECNL is the nation’s leading youth soccer development platform. The ECNL respects and celebrates the unique individuality of every youth soccer player and club, supporting and enabling them to unleash their unfettered passion and fierce tenacity in striving to achieve their potential.
The ECNL’s mission to Raise the Game is a total commitment to create the best possible environment for players, coaches, referees and administrators, with a determination to constantly question convention and challenge the status quo in youth sports.
The ECNL Commitment
We will lead, set our eyes on new horizons, and pursue them relentlessly. Born out of the belief in a better way. Continued in the ever-evolving pursuit of excellence.
Girls FB: /ECNLGirls | Girls IG: @ECNLGirls | Girls TW: @ECNLGirls
“I am excited to announce my commitment to Saint Mary’s College of California. I can’t wait to continue my journey as a Gael! I want to thank all my coaches throughout my years that have helped me get to where I am today, Coach Paul O’Brien for being there for me since the start, and Coach Jason for helping me throughout this process. I am also beyond grateful for my family and friends who have pushed me to get to where I am today. Without them, none of this would have been possible.” —Hector Serrano-Martin 