“It brings me great pleasure to announce that I have verbally committed to play soccer for Menlo College.  After visiting Menlo’s campus and meeting the girls who play soccer there, I knew it was the right fit for me.  It is everything I could ever ask for in a college and more, and I know that I will be happy there not only athletically but academically as well.  There is honestly no greater feeling than to know that all of the hard work my family, coaches and I have put in is now paying off.

After starting my competitive soccer career from a recreational team back in sixth grade, I have developed immensely as a player due to the hard work and belief of various individuals.   I would like to first thank my very first competitive soccer coach, John Love, for recognizing my potential as a player and introducing me to the competitive soccer world.  You gave me the confidence to continue playing when I was a little fish in a huge sea of kids who had been playing at a much higher level than I had ever known possible and you always expressed your undying belief in my abilities and I can never thank you enough.  Secondly, I would like to thank Jamy McLaughlin for teaching me the importance of fitness to the game of soccer and that coaches love players that put effort in at practice.  I’d like to thank coaches Gene DuChateau and Bart Morefield for bringing me into the Placer United Soccer Club and for always being extremely relatable, positive and friendly.  You both developed my mental and technical game as you transitioned me from the outside of the field to the inside where you expected pound for pound toughness every game.  Finally, I have to thank coach Ron Benjamin.  Your constant pressure to send emails to college coaches and help with the whole college recruiting process has brought me to where I am now.  You are a wonderful resource when it comes to recruiting and an amazing coach.  My game has improved immensely with your constant pressure to work hard and get results and I know you will send me to Menlo ready for college level soccer.

In every year that I have played competitive soccer, my teams have been not only a great support system for me, but a family.  Every one of my teammates are sisters in my eyes and our bond on and off of the field is simply irreplaceable.

Finally, I would like to thank my family for always being so selfless and helping push me on in my pursuit of a college soccer career.  You all have given up so much for me to play soccer, whether it is taking time off of work to watch me play in a tournament and drive me everywhere, spending a Thanksgiving in a hotel room because I am playing in Surf Cup, doing a week’s worth of make-up school work because you were busy being a cheerleader on the sidelines of your sisters games over the weekend, or just being there to tell me everything will be all right when I had a bad game, every little thing has meant the world to me.  You have all put me first at some point in time when it came to soccer and sacrificed something for me to do what makes me happiest, so I want to thank you.  I love you so much for always believing in me and helping me even when it was not always convenient.  You are the reason I am here today, so thank you!

Let’s go Oaks!”

—Ashleigh Nelin

“I am very excited to announce that I have recently verbally committed to Westmont College. I chose this school because I felt it would be a great fit for me both academically and athletically. After the several times I had visited the school, I fell in love with its location, right in Santa Barbara. Also, I really loved the vibe and spirit of the school.

For as long as I have been playing competitive soccer, it has always been my dream to go on and play collegiate soccer. After seven years of soccer at Placer United, and all of my hard work and dedication, I now feel relieved and a sense of accomplishment that my hard work has paid off. I owe a huge thanks to Coach Kristi Kiely for believing in my soccer skills and giving me the opportunity to play for her team and be a part of her school.

I would also like to thank one of my former coaches, Gene DuChateau for always believing in me and always being there for me if I had any questions. Also, I’d like to thank Ron Benjamin for being such a great coach over the years. He has truly pushed me to be the player that I am today and he continues everyday on the field. A huge thank you to my previous coach, John Chimienti, who has played a huge part in helping me develop not only as a player, but also as a person. Although the years have been very tough, they have truly payed off.

Thank you to all my teammates for always being there for me and also for all the endless memories that we have had together. They will never be forgotten. You girls are truly my family. Most importantly, I’d like to give a huge thanks to my parents for sacrificing so much for me and always being there to keep my dreams alive. I don’t know what I’d do without your guys!

Go Warriors!”

—Kaleigh Landberg

“Playing competitive soccer for the majority of my life truly helped me to gain exposure and explore many universities across the country. I’m grateful to all of the instrumental coaches who worked with me to sharpen my skills and provide assistance throughout the entire college consideration process. Though I had many offers to play across the divisions, I decided not to commit solely from a soccer standpoint. Ultimately, soccer aside, I knew in my heart that the University of Notre Dame was the college meant for me, and that I would have to excel both in the classroom and on the field during my high school experience.

When my acceptance letter came, I realized I would be attending a school with a strong sense of tradition, spirit, values, and a focus on the shaping of the entire individual. At ND, I plan to major in Preprofessional Studies in Medicine and minor in either African American Studies or Psychology, and later go on to attend medical school! I’m looking forward to joining my Notre Dame Fighting Irish family, but will never forget my soccer family. While I’m not going to ND as a soccer recruit, I’m extremely proud to say that I gained admission based on my academic merit, and I’m excited to explore my athleticism through new avenues. Thanks to everyone who has supported my efforts throughout my academic and soccer careers and in all of my endeavors!

GO IRISH Class of 2016!”
—Aliska Berry