“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 
“I am beyond excited to announce my verbal commitment to Sierra College, where I will continue pursuing my academic and athletic career. A huge thanks to all the coaches who have invested in me and helped me become the player I am today. To my teammates, thank you for always being there and continuing to push me on and off the field. Lastly, none of this would have been possible without the sacrifices and support from my friends and family. Go Wolverines!”—Valerie Gomez 
“I am incredibly excited to announce my commitment to continue my academic and soccer career at UC Santa Cruz. I want to thank my family, friends, teammates, and coaches for helping me get to this point and pushing me to be the very best version of myself. I wouldn’t be where I am today without every one of you. I am so thankful to have such a strong support system on and off the soccer field. Go Slugs!”—Kristi Truong 
“I am so excited and honored to announce my verbal commitment to play soccer and further my education at Ottawa University! Thank you to my family and friends for believing in me and being the best support system. And an even bigger thank you to my teammates and coaches for your full support throughout my journey. You pushed me to be a better person and player, on and off the field. I couldn’t have done it without you all! Go Fangs!” — Myah Newton 
“I am excited to announce my commitment to play at the next level at Graceland University and pursue my degree in biology to practice veterinary medicine. I want to thank Coach Todd for giving me the opportunity to play, learn, and develop and become a better player. I want to thank Placer United soccer club for all the opportunities they give their players.” — Jaqueline Lopez 
“I am super excited to share my commitment to Clarke University in Dubuque, Iowa, to further my academic and soccer career. I want to thank my family, teammates, and coaches throughout the years. I couldn’t have done it without them. Especially Coach BJ for helping me throughout my recovery, and Coach Todd DeCarlo for all the support and guidance in these final years at Placer. I am super excited about the opportunity! Go Pride!” —Sammie Miller 