“I am extremely ecstatic to announce my commitment to Loyola Marymount University; I will be joining them in the fall of 2018 as a Lion!  From the time I knocked my play pen over at my sisters’ soccer games, to now, all I wanted was to be on that field playing the beautiful game of soccer. Playing college ball has always been a dream of mine and I am eternally grateful to everyone who has helped me achieve this goal. First, I would like to thank LMU, Coach Myers, Coach Kagan, and Coach Shoop, for the opportunity to play the game I love at such a prestigious program and captivating school. I want to thank the Randolph Soccer Club (now FC Sonora) in Tucson, Arizona for sponsoring my first soccer team (Pumalitas) and helping spark my interest and desire for the game. I want to thank AYSO Region 206 and the Tucson Mountain Soccer Club for facilitating early development and enjoyment of the game. I want to thank all the coaches, staff and players at the Tucson Soccer Academy, especially Coach Jeff Rogers, for building my foundation of soccer that has helped me to grow as a player to where I am today. Thanks to the Tracy Futbol Club for providing my first opportunity at club soccer after moving from Arizona. A sincere thanks goes to Marlon Fernandez, Stuart Rafferty, and the West Coast Soccer Club for helping me develop my skills for the game. Thank you to Philippe Blin, Walter Pratte, John Byford and ALL the coaches, past teammates, and older players at Pleasanton Rage Soccer Club for helping me develop the fine points of the game in an important part of my development phase as a player. To my sister, Jasmine, I want to thank her for all her off-the-field and on-the-field support, especially the benefits of playing with an elite player. To my sister, Skye, I want to thank her for all her college advice and her encouragement towards doing what was right through determination and desire. To my mother, Gina, I want to thank her for all her succor during my hardships and for always having my back through thick and thin.  To my father, Andrew, I want to thank him for everything that he has ever done; driving me to my events, taking the time that he didn’t have out of his schedule just to help me improve myself, and always being there when no one else was to remind me of my roots and my morals. A huge thank you to my River City High School coach, Kamal Singh, his entire staff and all my teammates, for welcoming us and our family and providing me a home where I could continue to grow as a player, leader, person and felt comfortable expressing myself both on and off the field. I would also like to thank Paolo Bonomo and the entire PDP staff for helping develop my game to the next level and to Tyler Gottschalk and the entire ODP staff for helping me showcase my talents and refine my skills. A special thanks to Zabi Azizpor, Atiq Samady and ALL the players within the Itifaq Afghan Soccer Club of Tracy California; you showed the character and kindness to allow a female player to experience the game as it should be played – with passion and creativity. A most special thanks to my current club coach Ron Benjamin, Placer United teammates and Placer United staff; from day one, they were always open and accepting of me and have truly helped me become a better player and person.  Thank you to ALL the other coaches and players in Tucson and NorCal who have allowed me to join in and train with them over the years. If it weren’t for ALL these WONDERFUL people I would never be where I am today and for that I will never be forgetful of my past, never be complacent of the present, and never be apathetic of my future; I will always be honored and humbled.  I can’t wait to begin my roaring career with LMU!” — Sydney Schultz

“I’m extremely honored and excited to say that I have verbally committed to Pepperdine University. I want to thank all of my coaches Ron Sanchez, Lee Callow, Matt Scammacca and Mark Broers. A special thank you to Ron Benjamin for always pushing me to be the best I can be and for helping me to become a better leader. From wet, freezing games at 8:00 in the morning all the way to blazing, hot summer games, my parents and sister have been the biggest supporters anyone could ask for, and I am so appreciative of all that they have done for me. When it came down to making my decision, it was clear to me that Pepperdine was the school for me. I knew that it was not only a challenging school for academics, but I also felt that I would excel greatly not only as a player but also as a person there. Pepperdine University has been my dream school since I was 10 years old and to be able to play the sport that I love AND have amazing coaches and teammates at Pepperdine, is truly a blessing. I’m very appreciative of all the players on my team for pushing in practice, their friendships and never letting me slack no matter how tired I truly was. I love my team at Placer United, however, I’m also excited to make a future in 2018 with the Waves.” — Nicollete Lewis

“I am very excited to announce that I have committed to attend and continue my soccer journey at the Air Force Academy! This is an incredible opportunity with state-of-the art facilities, excellent coaching staff, academics, and the ability for me to graduate as an officer at the AFA. Many thanks to my Air Force coaches, Larry Friend, Kiha Sutta, and Captain Christin Brodie, for their support and encouragement through this process. I am so grateful for my Placer family and coaches for developing me into the player I am today. After finishing my seven years with Placer Club, I will get to attend the D1 school of my dreams. Many thanks to Coach Todd Decarlo, Gene Duchateau, Bart Morefield, Matt Scammacca, and of course Ron Benjamin. I especially want to thank my parents for their constant support and encouragement. I can’t wait to continue my soccer career at the Air Force Academy. Go Falcons!” — Rachel Gensch

“Beyond blessed to announce that I have committed to Cal Berkley! It’s has been a very long journey to get to this point and I would like to thank all of my teammates, friends, and family who have helped me achieve this. When it came down to it, Cal was an easy choice for me, it being a Pac-12 school, top 5 in the nation academically, and it just felt like home. I would like to deeply thank my coach Ron Benjamin who has been my coach since I moved to Placer last year. Ron has been the biggest help in the college recruitment process and I couldn’t have done it with out him. I would also like to thank my trainer Aklesh who has been training me since I was 8 years old. Without Aklesh I wouldn’t be where I am today, he constantly pushes me and makes me a better player each time I step on the field to train with him. He also believed in me when no one else did. Lastly, I would like to thank my dear parents for their never ending support and teaching me the values of hard work, dedication, and respect. I feel very grateful and humbled by this opportunity to play for Cal and I look forward to preparing myself both physically and academically! Go Bears!” — Abena Aidoo

“I am so excited to announce that I have verbally committed to Illinois Wesleyan University to continue my soccer career and broaden my knowledge of the world at an excellent university. I have been with Placer United Soccer Club for the past nine years and I know I would not be the player or person I am today had I not made the decision to be a part of Placer’s amazing competitive soccer program. I would like to thank my coaches over the years including Todd DeCarlo, Gene DuChateau, Ron Benjamin, and Bart Morefield. Todd, thank you for teaching me essential skills that led me to improve my foot skills and my agility. Gene, thank you for always pushing me harder and harder to improve because you knew I was capable. Ron, thank you for the endless amount of fitness that made us more fit than our opponents and thank you for always dedicating so much time to us, even when you would rather be with your family. And Bart, thank you for always being the one to believe in me when I struggled to believe in myself. Lastly, I would like to thank my parents for encouraging me to follow my dreams and allowing me to move to Illinois, despite the fact that I am your baby girl. I am so honored and humbled to have such great support all around me these past nine years, so thank you all.” — Emma Darragh