“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 
Thursday, February 10, 2022
by LAFC Communications
LAFC today announced the Club has acquired defender Ryan Hollingshead from FC Dallas in exchange for defender Marco Farfan.
Hollingshead, 30, joins LAFC after spending the past eight seasons with FC Dallas, where he made 193 regular season appearances in 149 starts. A veteran defender, Hollingshead has scored a total of 18 regular season goals and added 15 assists in 13,433 MLS minutes. The California native has made 11 MLS Cup Playoff appearances and played six times in the Concacaf Champions League.
“Ryan is known not only known as one of the most versatile and valuable players in MLS but also as a great person and leader,” LAFC Co-President & General Manager John Thorrington said. “For these reasons, we are incredibly excited to welcome Ryan, his wife Taylor, and their family to LAFC. We also appreciate what Marco has meant to the club during his time here, which makes the moment bittersweet for us. He is a class act both on and off the field and we wish him all the best in Dallas.”
The 2017 MLS Works Humanitarian of the Year, Hollingshead was originally drafted by FC Dallas in the second round of the 2013 MLS Super Draft and made his MLS and professional debut vs. San Jose on May 31, 2014.
In 2016, Hollingshead made 29 regular season appearances (22 starts) and helped Dallas earn the 2016 Supporter’s Shield and a Western Conference Championship, as well as the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup title.
A native of Granite Bay, CA, Hollingshead starred at UCLA from 2009-2012, where he made 69 starts and 81 appearances, scoring 16 goals and recording 21 assists. With the Bruins he was named NSCAA Second-Team All American Selection, Pac-12 Player of the Year and First-team All-Pac 12 Selection, while also earning First-team Pac-12 All-Academic honors.
Farfan leaves LAFC after one season in which he played in 29 matches (21 starts), tallying over 1,754 minutes in 2021.
VITALS
Name: Ryan Hollingshead
Position: Defender
Born: 4/16/1991
Age: 30
Height: 6-2
Weight: 185
Birthplace: Granite Bay, Ca
Citizenship: USA
Last Club: FC Dallas
“I am incredibly excited to announce my commitment to William Jessup University to continue my athletic and academic career. I want to thank all my family, friends, and coaches who were there to help me up during the most challenging times and continue to push me to the next level. None of my success could have come true without out you all. I want to give a big shout-out to Coach Jason for having such faith in me and pushing me to do my best. Go Warriors!” — Isaiah Martinez