U17 US Soccer Development Academy and Center Back, Marli Bannai, Commits to UC San Diego

“I am so excited to announce my verbal commitment to continue my academic and athletic career at UC San Diego! I would like to thank my family, friends, and teammates who have always supported me and pushed me to be my best. A huge thank you to Ron Benjamin for his incredible dedication and support throughout these past two years. Also, a huge thank you to my previous coaches: Don Finley, Katie Burton, Kevin Unsworth, and Mark Broers! Finally, thank you to Coach Jones, Coach Painter, and Coach LaPorte for giving me this amazing opportunity! Go Tritons! —Marli Bannai

“I am honored to announce my commitment to play soccer and further my education as a UC Merced Bobcat. I’d like to thank my family for always supporting me, and my coaches: Matt Scammacca, Kevin Unsworth, Don Finley, Rich Donofrio, Cory Clonce, Juan Fresquez, Jimmy Frazelle, and all of the others for building me into the player I am today. Most importantly I have to thank Placer United for giving me the ability to not only grow as a player but also to showcase my talent. Thanks to the club and to my amazing teammates, I’m proud to say I’ll be playing soccer in college and fulfilling a childhood dream.”—Josh Golka

Darian Louthan of U19 US Soccer Development Academy is Headed to Sac State Hornets

“I am excited to announce my commitment to Sacramento State University to continue my academic and soccer career. I consider it an absolute privilege to have this opportunity and am beyond thankful for all of those who have helped me while I traveled this road. Without question, my coaches Todd DeCarlo and Ron Benjamin played an integral role in pushing me to improve on the field and mentoring me off the field. Ron’s persistence and dedication in developing me as a player have paid off by providing me this opportunity. A huge shout out to all of my teammates for helping me succeed on the field and making the sport I love even more enjoyable. I cannot thank Coach Randy Dedini enough, for taking a chance on me and providing an opportunity to play collegiately. This sport has given me so much during the last 12 years, and now I get to enjoy the ride a little longer. Lastly, I would like to thank my parents for all of the time, effort and energy they have spent getting me to all my practices and games while also being my number one supporters. I am beyond thrilled to start the next chapter of my life at an amazing university. Go Hornets!” —Darian Louthan

2021 Graduate Emma Hofmann of the U17 US Soccer Development Academy Will Join the Chico State Wildcats

“I am incredibly excited and proud to announce my verbal commitment to Chico State to continue my academic and soccer career. Firstly, I would like to thank my family, friends, and teammates for helping me get this far with their continuous support, encouragement, and love. I also would like to thank Coach Ron Benjamin for his undeniable dedication and commitment to me as a player. Also thank you to all of my past and present coaches including Bashar Alsakati, Don Finley, Rachel Bernard, Katie Blough, Matt Bernard, Matt McDougall, and Craig Huft. Finally, I would like to thank Coach Kim Sutton for giving me this incredible opportunity. I am super excited for what is to come! Go Wildcats!”—Emma Hofmann

“I’m super happy to announce that I’ve verbally committed to play Division 1 soccer at the University of the Pacific! I’m ecstatic to be able to attend such a strong academic school with such an amazing soccer program.

In this crazy ride, I have had many supporters along the way whom I can’t thank enough. I want to thank Henri Currie and Oscar Galvan who have pushed me to become a better athlete. I want to thank all my coaches along the way, Coach Tim Maestretti, Coach Antonio Sutton, Coach Aklesh Singh, Coach Ro, Coach Marek, and my current Placer DA Coach, Ron Benjamin, for pushing me and developing me to become the player I am today! Thank you to my friends and family who have endlessly rooted for me and supported me. I especially want to thank my mom for all the sacrifices and long drives. I wouldn’t be where I am today or the person I am today without her! She has taught me that the hard work, perseverance, love, sweat, and tears come with this wonderfully universal sport. These amazing people have made such a significant impact on my life, and no words can describe how much I appreciate them.

A huge thank you to Coach Kerri Scroope, Coach Carmen Padilla, and Coach Lorna Brownlie for allowing me such an awesome opportunity to be part of their soccer family while attending an incredible academic program. I can’t wait to spend my four years of college at the University of the Pacific! Go Tigers!” —Isabela Ochoa

“I am excited to announce my verbal commitment to Morningside College in Sioux City, IA. I’m grateful for the opportunity to play at the collegiate level, as well as to continue my education at such a remarkable school. A huge thank you goes out to my family for getting me to events, and endlessly supporting me. Also a huge thank you to Sarah Fawcett and Todd DeCarlo for always pushing me to do my best, and for getting me prepared for the next level. I am thankful to have played with such an amazing group of girls who I will never forget. Thank you to coach Tom Maxon over at Morningside college for allowing me this humbling opportunity to continue playing the sport I love! Mside proud, go Mustangs!” — Samantha O’Roy

“I am delighted and humbled to announce I have verbally committed to the University of Minnesota to further my academic and athletic career. I am stoked to have found a school that will challenge me in both areas! I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who contributed to this accomplishment starting off with my parents who were somehow able to put up with all the trouble and work it took to get me here. They are my number one supporters and I couldn’t put into words how much their constant support and time truly means to me. I would also like to thank my incredible sister and best friend who never stops encouraging and motivating me to always be on top of my game. I want to give a huge thank you to my coaches at Placer, Ron Benjamin and Don Finley who have truly shaped me into the player I am today. And finally, I would like to thank Coach Stefanie Golan, Coach Becky Fletcher, and Coach Molly Rouse for this amazing opportunity to play at such a high level at such a great university. Go Gophers!” —Aynsley Conner

“I am super excited and humbled to announce my verbal commitment to Sacramento State University. I am so blessed to have this opportunity to play at a collegiate D1 level while also continuing my education at an amazing academic school. I would most importantly like to thank my amazing parents for their continuous support and love; there is no way I would be where I am today without their countless sacrifices getting me to training, games and other events. I want to thank Placer United for giving me a second home for the past five years and pushing me with countless hours of training and games. I can’t imagine my life without soccer and can’t thank the club enough for shaping me into the player and person that I am today. I want to thank all of my coaches, especially Sarah Fawcett and Ron Benjamin. Thank you to Coach Sarah for sparking my love for soccer and a huge thank you to Coach Ron for believing in me and putting me into the best environment I could be in, while also pushing me every single day to be the best player I can be. I would also like to thank all of my teammates along the way who have genuinely made playing this sport so amazing and for always bringing so much love and a competitive drive to the game. Finally, I would like to thank Coach Randy Dedini for giving me this opportunity; I am incredibly excited to be able to continue playing the sport I love at a new level. GO HORNETS!” —Victoria Sanchez

“I am super thrilled to announce my commitment to play Division 1 soccer at Sacramento State University! I want to thank my coaches; Todd DeCarlo, Katie Burton, and most importantly Ron Benjamin, who have helped me succeed in the sport I love most. I also want to thank my parents for continuous support, sacrifices, time and believing in me through this whole journey. And to my teammates, making me a better player, through their constant competitiveness and drive to get better each day. Lastly, I would like to give a huge thank you to Coach Randy Dedini for giving me the opportunity I’ve always dreamed of! I am beyond excited to play at the next level! GO HORNETS!” —Sedona Robinson

“I am extremely happy and humbled to announce my verbal commitment to California State University, Chico where I will continue my academic and athletic journey. I could not have had a more supportive group of people that helped me be able to achieve this. First, I would like to thank my family for the countless hours of driving and all the support they have given me throughout the years. I would also like to thank my coach, Ron Benjamin for believing in me and improving my game with his endless support, and I would have never been able to achieve this without your coaching. You have changed my life in countless ways, and I am forever grateful for everything you have done for me. I would also like to thank my incredible teammates who have been nothing but supportive and push me at every practice and game to do my best. In addition, I would like to thank my personal trainer Kenyon Hill for his support and helping me develop the skills and ability to be able to try out for a club like Placer. Thank you, Coach Kim Sutton and Coach Jenny Jaggard, for giving me this amazing opportunity to play soccer and attend my dream school starting in 2021. Go Wildcats!” — Emily Connick