“I am very excited to announce my commitment to continue my athletic and academic career at Colorado School of Mines. I am grateful for the opportunity to play soccer while getting a great education. First I’d like to thank God for all He has given me. Thanks to Coach Todd DeCarlo who always believed in me and pushed me to do better. I would not have gotten this opportunity if not for his dedication. Thank you to Coaches Kevin Fickes, Shannon Devoe, and Matthew Sparks for granting me the opportunity to perform at the collegiate level. Thanks especially to my parents who never lost faith in me on and off the field and who have sacrificed so much so I may be able to live out all I can dream. I’m forever grateful for all my coaches, my friends, and my family who have been apart of my journey thus far. I love you and appreciate everything you guys have done for me. I would not be where I am without any you. Go Orediggers!—Amena Nelson, #8 Placer United DA

“I am extremely excited to announce my commitment to continue my academic and soccer career at San Jose State University. I am thankful to everyone who has been with me on this journey, and I am especially thankful for my family who has supported me since Day 1. I want to thank my very first soccer coach, Coach Pat Meachim for teaching me the basic skills, encouraging and supporting me to seek the next level of play when the time was right. I would also like to thank coaches Matt Bernard, Matt McDougall, and Bashar Alsakati for making me the goalkeeper I am today. A special thank you goes to Coach Todd DeCarlo for never doubting my ability and pushing me to be the best I can be, for always believing in me and for coaching me through any struggles. For seven years I have been proud to be a part of Placer United, and I am excited to take the next step at San Jose State. Go Spartans!” —Kara Burns

“I am very proud and excited to announce my commitment to Dominican University of California. I’m truly grateful to be able to further my soccer career as well as pursue a business degree at Dominican University. I would like to thank my entire family for helping, encouraging, and supporting me while I played the sport I love. I also want to thank my coaches; Paul O’Brien, Jason Gantt, Matt Scammacca, and Matt McDougall for making me a better player and a better person. My time at Placer United has been the greatest of my life, creating everlasting friendships and acquaintances with every person I’ve come to know and meet. I cannot wait to begin my collegiate career at Dominican University, I could not have done it without any of you. Go Penguins!” — Eddie Silverbush

“I am extremely blessed to announce my commitment to continue my academic and soccer career at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo! The excitement I have to attend my dream school in such a beautiful town cannot even be put into words. I owe a huge thank you to my coaches Mark Broers, Todd DeCarlo, and most importantly, Ron Benjamin for supporting and helping me grow as a player over all these years. Also, to all of my teammates for making me a better player through their constant competitiveness and work rate. I would also like to thank my family for their continuous love and support throughout this entire stressful process. To my parents for the insane amount of time, they have spent traveling to watch me play, for the many sacrifices they have made, and for always believing in me. To my sister for being the amazing role model that she is and inspiring me to be a better player and person. And to my brother who never takes it easy on me, but also never gives up on me.

Thank you to coaches Alex Crozier and Scott Williams for this unbelievable opportunity! I cannot wait to play at the next level at such an amazing school. Go Mustangs!” — Jenna Ladrech

“I am truly blessed to announce that I have verbally committed to continue my academic and soccer career at Stanford University. I am extremely excited for the opportunity to play under Coach Paul Ratcliffe, Coach Hideki Nakada and Coach Margueritte Aozasa. This would not be possible without all of my teammates I have played with throughout these years, and who I will continue to play with at Placer United. The club has provided me opportunities, an environment where I’ve been challenged, and have been able to grow as a player. I want to thank all my coaches who have guided me through the process and have developed me into the player I am today; Kevin Unsworth, Don Finley, Paul O’Brien, and especially Ron Benjamin. I also want to thank my trainer Jimmy Frazelle, my physical therapist Quinn McArthur, and a special thanks to the PDP program, especially David Robertson (Robo) who has allowed me great opportunities over the years.  My biggest support has come from my entire family especially my parents and my older sister, Sydney. Love you guys! Go Cardinal!” — Kellie Pagador

“I am excited and grateful to announce my commitment to further my academic and athletic career at Dominican University of California, in San Rafael. It is truly a blessing to be given this opportunity to continue playing soccer and pursue a degree in business. I would like to thank my family for always being there for me and allowing me to play the sport I so passionately love. Placer United Soccer Club has helped me develop into the player I am today and I am forever grateful for the memories and lessons the club has taught me. Lastly, I would like to thank my coaches for never giving up on me and always pushing me to play to the best of my capabilities: Don Finley, Jason Gantt, Matt Scammacca, and Matt McDougall. I am excited about the journey ahead and hope to make the club proud. Go Penguins!” —Dylan Finley

“I am truly blessed to announce my commitment to further my education and soccer career at Cal Maritime. First off, I would like to thank my family for their continuous support on and off the field. Without them, none of this would be possible. I’d also like to thank all my teammates and friends for believing in me and supporting my goals. Thank you, Coach Don Finley, Jason Gantt, and Matt Scammacca, for pushing me and encouraging me to be the best version of myself. A big thank you to Coach Matt McDougall for guiding me through this entire process. Placer United Soccer Club has made me a better player and more, which I will be forever grateful. Lastly, I want to give a special thank you to everyone at Vacaville United Soccer Club for teaching me the love for the game and having confidence in my future. Once again, thank you to everyone who has helped me along the way and I can not wait to play at the collegiate level next year. Go Keelhaulers!” — Manny Cabrera, Jr.

“I am grateful and proud to announce my commitment to play soccer and further my academic career at the University of California, Los Angeles. I would like to give a huge thank you to the coaching staff that really helped me develop not only as a player but as a person: Matt Mcdougall, Matt Scammacca, Paul O’Brien, and all of the other coaches at Placer. Thank you so much for pushing me and helping me achieve my potential. Lastly, I would also like to thank my parents for believing in me and never giving up on me. Go Bruins!”—Cody Sundquist

“I am beyond thankful to announce my verbal commitment to play D1 soccer at Saint Mary’s College of California and continue my academic career! It has been a long journey to get to this point of deciding to play collegiate soccer. I am so happy that I found a school like Saint Mary’s where I love the campus, the people, and their soccer program. Thank you to Coach Travis for giving me this opportunity to pursue my goal of playing college soccer at a high level and develop my game even more.

I could not have gotten to this stage in my life without my family, teammates, and coaches. To my mom and dad, thank you for continuously being there for me after every game and practice. Both of you have supported me through the good and bad and have always been by my side. To my dad, you were my very first coach and started my love for this game. You have been there after every game to analyze all my plays, good and bad, and helping me to improve on and off the field. Thank you for being my personal coach and dad throughout the years. To my mom, you had me eating vegetables in every type of food as long as I could remember and I couldn’t thank you more. All of my food habits help me with my soccer performance and I thank you every day for being able to perform my very best. All the colorful meals I’ve eaten and learned from you, I’ll use for the rest of my life. And to my brother Jackson, you specifically have made me be the physical and competitive player I am today. Thank you for the very physical pillow fights and wrestling matches when we were kids. Growing up watching you play soccer always made me want to push harder and be better. Thank you for everything.  

To my teammates, every day I train with all of you, you always push me to be my very best and you guys have helped me grow to be the player I am today. To Todd DeCarlo, you were my very first coach when I came to Placer and have played a very big role in my development as a player. Thank you for taking me in and shaping me from the bottom up to be a better soccer player these past three years. I wouldn’t be where I am today without you. To Ron Benjamin, you have basically been my second coach since I came to Placer and through your brutal honesty and patience in coaching me as I developed my game, you have been very influential in my soccer growth. Thank you for pushing me and always seeing more in me these past years. I am extremely excited for what the future holds and cannot wait to continue my soccer and academic life at Saint Mary’s College of California! Go Gaels!” — Josie Sherman

“I am proud to announce my commitment to play for the soccer team and to further my education at Corban University in Salem, Oregon.  I feel blessed to have my family’s unconditional support for my love and passion for the game. I am also grateful to have had such an amazing Placer United team through the years. Thanks to all my coaches, Matt McDougall, Matt Scammacca, Paul O’Brien, Don Finley, and Joel Williams (Whitney H.S.) who have always believed in me and saw my true potential.  Finally, thank you, Aaron Lewis, of Corban University for allowing me to be part of your team.  Go, Warriors!” — Nate Sherwood