“I am very excited to announce my commitment to play soccer at California State University, Sacramento. I would like to start off by thanking my family, most importantly, my parents, for always supporting and believing in me, both on and off the field, as well as taking me to all my practices and games. I would also like to thank Paul O’Brien, Jason Gantt, Matt Scammacca and Matt McDougall for always pushing me during training sessions and encouraging me to be the best version of myself. Thank you to my teammates and all the other coaches at Placer United who have played an important role in my development as a soccer player. I have always dreamed of playing at the collegiate level and I am incredibly excited to see what my future soccer career has in store for me at Sacramento State. Go Hornets!” — Benji Kikanovic

“I’m very proud to announce that I will be continuing my education and soccer career as a member of the entering class of 2019 at Humboldt State University.  I want to thank my fellow teammates who have become like family members to me.  I feel so honored to have had the opportunity to play with such a talented group. I also want to thank the coaches that I have had during my Placer United  career, beginning with Crystal Howard-Chadez, Andy Walsh, and Jimmy Frazelle. Thank you for helping me improve my skills as a young aspiring soccer player. Thank you, Todd DeCarlo, for always pushing me to do my best while guiding me and improving me as the soccer player I am today. Last but not least thank you, Ron Benjamin, for mentoring  me while driving me to always be the best I can be on the soccer field. Thank you to each and everyone of you for your never-failing belief in me as a center defender. Most importantly I would like to thank my Mom, Dad, brother, and grandparents, I would not be where I am today without your support for me while allowing me to catch my dream!  Thank you, Paul Karver, for giving me this amazing opportunity and believing in me as a player for Humboldt State University! Go Jacks!” —Bridget Pelzman

“I am so excited to announce my commitment to play soccer at Humboldt State University! A huge thank you to all of the coaches I have had growing up and playing soccer for, especially Ron Benjamin and Todd DeCarlo. My dream of committing to a college and having the opportunity to continue doing what I love after high school would not have been possible without them and their constant motivation to make me a better player.  Another thank you to my mom and dad, from taking me to practice, to taking me to my games far away and supporting me and pushing me each and every day. They have spent many hours with me at the field and have taken so much of their time to make sure I get to do what I love and I am extremely thankful for that. Another huge thank you to my teammates/family for supporting me on and off of the field. My teammates are amazing and I am very lucky to be able to grow as a player with each and every one of them by my side. Thank you to Jose Ordaz who has guided me since I was little and continues to guide me to this day. He pushes me and keeps me on track. He has educated me about life as a soccer player and as an individual and I am extremely thankful. Finally, thank you to Coach Paul Karver and Coach Kat Rocket Heppe for making my dream of playing at the next level at an amazing school possible. Go Lumberjacks!”—Selena Osorio

“I am incredibly blessed to announce my commitment to play soccer at UC San Diego in 2018. I feel fortunate to have the opportunity to pursue my academic goals at this top university while living in beautiful La Jolla. I look forward to playing for Coach Jon Pascale and can’t wait to make a positive impact at UC San Diego as a player, teammate, and student.

I would not be where I am today without the endless support from my family, friends, teammates, and coaches. Thank you to my family – my biggest fans – for their unconditional love which allows me to become the best athlete, student, and person possible. Thank you to my friends for understanding when I can’t go out because I have soccer. And thank you to my teammates for working hard and supporting each other, which resulted in many impressive wins and everlasting memories. Each and every one of you will always have a special place in my heart.

Placer United has developed me into the player I am today. Thank you to Paul O’Brien for giving me the opportunity and developing me as an outside back. Thank you to Matt Scammacca and Jason Gantt for helping me improve as a soccer player and pushing me each day. A huge thank you to Matt McDougall for believing in me, supporting my goals, and guiding me through this entire process. And lastly, a special thank you to my very first coach from Granite Bay, Coach Chris Altobell, who helped establish my love of soccer since I was five years old and taught me to be RELENTLESS and to never give up!

Go Tritons!”— Zach Wong

“I am very excited to announce that I have committed to Belmont Abbey College in North Carolina. I am beyond blessed to able to start my college career at a Catholic college where I can grow in my faith in God and as a player, led by amazing coaches Mike Lynch and Jaime Malilong III.  I would like to give a special thank you to all my coaches, Dave Zinzun and Gabe Martinez who helped me find my love and passion for the game at a young age. I would also like to thank Ron Benjamin, Todd Decarlo, Megan Montoya, and Ed Fardos who have pushed me and have developed me into the player I am today. I would especially like to thank my family, to all of my siblings and most importantly my parents. Thank you for all of the love, support and strength you have given me. I am truly grateful for each and everyone of you, I would not be the player I am today without you. I am extremely excited and cannot wait to start my new journey. Go Crusaders!” — Emma Roche

“I am humbled and excited to announce that I will be continuing my academic and athletic career at UC San Diego. I cannot express my gratitude enough to those who have helped me along this momentous journey. I would like to thank Placer for fostering such a competitive atmosphere that has allowed me to hone my soccer skills and better prepare myself for the collegiate level. While playing at Placer, I have gotten to know some of the kindest, most charismatic teammates I have ever met; and I’m sure that I will stay in touch with them for many years to come. Furthermore, if I had never moved to Placer, I never would have had the priviledge of playing for Matt McDougall. Without his unwavering support and prudent advice, I would not be in the position I am in today. I am forever grateful for my family’s unconditional love and support throughout this process, especially from my Mom and Dad. There were many moments where I doubted my ability to play at the next level, but their relentless encouragement has truly been an essential part of my achievements. Once again, thank you so much to everyone who has helped me throughout this process and reach this goal, and Go Tritons!” —Noah Sonenstein

“I am very excited to announce my commitment to play college soccer for Belmont Abbey College. I am truly blessed to have been welcomed by coaches Mike Lynch and Jaime Malilong, two wonderful people who will help guide me through the next four years of my life. I would like to thank all of my coaches, especially Ron Benjamin and Todd Decarlo, who have pushed me to be my best, on and off the field, I couldn’t have done it without the both of you! I would also like to thank all of my teammates who have been with me through the good and bad days. Finally thank you to my parents who have gone above and beyond to help me achieve my dreams. I can’t wait for what the next four year have in store. Go Crusaders!” — Rachel Roche

“After countless years of playing soccer I would like to announce my excitement to be playing soccer at the collegiate level and playing at Sierra College! I’d like to thank all of my coaches in the past who have gotten me to where I am today, especially Crystal Chaidez, Lee Callow, Chris Alcala, John Bustos, and Todd DeCarlo. They each have impacted me in a different way to make me a better player and have shaped me to be the player and person I am today. I’d also like to thank the Sierra College coaching staff, particularly Jason Gantt for taking me in and being so welcoming. In addition to my coaches I’d also like to thank all my teammates I have had in the past. The tournaments and practices that have allowed us to bond and become close have allowed me to open up as a person and also become a better player on and off the field. In addition to my coaches and friends, I would like to give a huge thanks to my parents who have always been so supportive and would take me to every practice, game, and tournament that I had over the past years especially the last eight years with Placer and all the long drives to tournaments. My parents are always there for me and have helped me achieve this wonderful opportunity to play soccer at the next level and I wouldn’t be at this point without them. I am very thankful for all that have helped me and can’t wait to start this next chapter of my life at Sierra. Go Wolverines!”— Gabriella Barquet

“I am thrilled to announce my commitment to play soccer at San Francisco State University. I am incredibly privileged to join a team that is led by two phenomenal coaches, Tracy Hamm and Val Henderson. I am excited to come into a program that is up and coming and is passionate about development as well as winning. I cannot go without expressing my immense gratitude to my family for always believing in me on and off the field. I would also like to thank Ron Benjamin and the rest of the Placer United coaches and players for being an instrumental piece in my development, for inspiring me, and for pushing me to be the greatest version of myself I could possibly be. I cannot wait to experience the next four years as a member of a tremendous soccer program. Go Gators!” – Quincy Kaplan

“I would like to announce my verbal commitment to play D1 College Soccer for the University of Nevada Reno. I am looking forward to playing for Coach Otagaki and the Wolfpack! I would also like to thank my coaches along this journey who have helped me grow in the game of soccer; Coach Jeff Landers and Coach Eric Ramirez from my Texas days, and Coach Ron Benjamin, and Coach Todd DeCarlo have been great to me since moving back to California. I appreciate your investment in my life and I look forward to this final year under your leadership. I am so grateful to all my teammates through the years who have pushed me athletically. The friendships that I have acquired mean more to me than words can say. You have become like family and mean a lot to me personally. Finally, I want to thank my family for their support, especially all the sacrifices you have made for me over the years. Especially my dad for yelling at the refs! I know I can always count on you to be there.

I thank God for all His blessings in my life and am excited for the future He has for me!  Go Wolfpack!” —Kathryn Yarbrough