“I am honored and thrilled to announce my verbal commitment to play soccer at the collegiate level for Sonoma State University in fall 2017. It has always been my dream to play soccer in college, and with hard work, dedication, and the support from friends and family my dream is coming true. First a big thank you to every teammate I’ve had throughout the years of playing sports. I’ve learned so much from each sport that I’ve played and I am grateful to be able to apply what I know from other sports to help improve my soccer knowledge. I would not be where I am today if it hadn’t been for everything my family has done and had to sacrifice for me. I am, and will always be, thankful for everything they do for me. A huge thank you to all of my coaches I’ve had throughout my soccer career. Most importantly Kori Marquez and Eric Crise for teaching me respect, kindness, and responsibility, Todd DeCarlo to think creatively and become a self reliant player, and lastly Ron Benjamin. Coach Ron has become a huge part of my life on and off the field and I can’t thank him enough for pushing me every training session and game. He continues to be a role model I look up to. All four of these coaches have truly gone above and beyond to shape me into the player and person that I am today and I am truly grateful for everything they have done and will miss them dearly. Also thank you to Savanna Thompson for unknowingly being the player I aspire to become and work as hard at every training session. She is a great leader and will accomplish amazing things during her soccer career.

I am extremely excited to play under head coach Emiria Salzmann Dunn and assistant coaches Robin Hart, Mark Dunn, and Jody Lingafeldt. After meeting Emiria I knew Sonoma was for me. Her coaching style is exactly what I’m looking for to push me to become the best player. With her help, the rest of the coaching staff, and the incredible team, I know we can accomplish great things. A shoutout to my twin brother Cole, and to Cassidy Marquez for being my best friends and supporting me throughout my life.”

Go Seawolves!
Paige Martinsen

“I am extremely proud to announce that I have committed to play at Cal State Monterey Bay. I would like to thank the coaches who helped get me get this far to play at the next level, Coach Daron Anderson, Coach Matt McDougall, Coach Matt Scammacca and Coach Paul O’Brien. In all the years that I’ve played for Placer, their coaching has prepared me for this amazing opportunity. This past year, Coach McDougall has helped me so much with the college recruiting process and I really appreciate him and Coach Paul for their recent support. 

A big thank you must also go to my parents who have supported me the whole time I have been playing soccer and all the sacrifices they have made for me. Last but not least, it has been a great time playing soccer with my teammates and I won’t forget all the good times.” — Justin Laperle

“Words can’t express how excited I am to be playing at Cal State Monterey Bay next semester. I took a gamble this year by going to Sierra College part time and gave myself another year to find a place to play my soccer. It really couldn’t have played out any better. I’d like to thank all of my friends, family, teammates, and coaches for pushing me to be what I am today, including Matt Scamacca, Paul O’Brien, and Jason Gantt, for mentoring me over the majority of my eleven years at Placer. Also a shout out to my Mum and Dad for being the best parents in the 916 — couldn’t have done it without you. Go Otters!” — Scottie Walsh

“I’m overjoyed to announce my decision to attend and play soccer at Chapman University this fall. I truly believe I couldn’t have found a better academic or athletic fit for me. First, thank you to all of the teammates I’ve had at Placer throughout the past five years, who have been instrumental in shaping me as a player and an individual. You have always pushed me to improve my game, and I consider myself very lucky for having gotten the chance to play with each of you. Another thanks to all the coaches I have had at Placer since I joined the club as a 13-year-old. To Coach Kevin Unsworth: thank you for always pushing me to improve the technical aspects of my game and for helping me to rediscover the passion I have always had for soccer. To Coach Todd Decarlo: thank you for helping me discover my desire to play soccer at the collegiate level, for believing in me enough to promote me to a higher level team midway through my U16 season, and for being invaluable to the development of every aspect of my game. To Coach Katie Burton: thank you for your encouragement and for helping me develop as a player in just the few months you coached our team. To Coach Ron Benjamin: thank you for all of your assistance in the college process this year and in prior years, and for always pushing me to play faster and smarter. I’d also like to thank Rocklin High’s Coach Paul Morrison for helping me to step up as a leader and embrace my versatility as a soccer player. Finally, thank you to my parents, whose endless encouragement and unwavering confidence in me has helped me to recognize my full potential and make my college aspirations a reality. Thank you guys for all of the time, money, and energy you’ve dedicated to my soccer career. Your support means everything to me. I can’t wait to join the Chapman family and play under Coach Courtney Calderon next year. Go Panthers!” — Faith Holloway

“I am very proud to announce that I have committed to play soccer at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology! I am so thankful for everyone who has contributed to my growth on and off the field up to this point in my life. Thank you to coaches Jordan Kadlec and Andrew Conniff for giving me this opportunity to play Division II soccer at a school that suits me both athletically and academically. I would especially like to thank my parents for supporting me throughout my soccer career. I am also incredibly lucky to have been mentored by so many great coaches over the years, for I would not be in this position without them. These people include Matt Scammacca, John and Anthony Chimienti, Danny Cruz, Jimmy Frazelle, Kelcey Chaidez, Paul O’Brien, Ron Benjamin, Robbie Handy, and Jason Gantt. I want to thank all of them for everything they have done for me. My teammates have been awesome over the years and I wish them the best of luck in the future. Once again, I am so thankful for everyone who has played a part in my development as both a person and a player!” — Garrett Bonzell

“I am so unbelievably excited to announce that I have committed to Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, to continue playing soccer. Many thanks to Coach Alex Crozier for this opportunity and also to coaches Bernardo Silva and Lindsey Smith for making the college process fun and easy. I’m so honored to have the chance to play at the next level at such an amazing school. I would have never made it this far if it weren’t for the so many amazing people that helped me along the way. I have been playing for Placer for six years and I can honestly say it has been one of the biggest and best parts of my life. Placer has shaped me as a player and as the person I am today. This club has introduced me to some of my best friends and has really helped me discover just how much I love the game of soccer. Thank you to Todd DeCarlo for being a great coach and supporting me throughout the past six years. You have pushed me and you were there to help me even when you weren’t my coach. You made me a more confident and competitive player on the field. You have gone above and beyond to make sure it was possible for me to attend the school of my choice. Thank you to Coach Gene DuChateau for helping me grow so much as a player. I feel that I improved more in the three years under your coaching than I did the rest of my soccer career. You and coach Bart Morfield helped turn me from just another player on the field to an impact player. Thank you to Coach Bart for not only transforming our team but for focusing on improving each player individually. I am so thankful for your dedication and for not settling with my soccer ability but working to make me better. Thank you to Coach Ron Benjamin for being there throughout all my years at Placer and always taking great interest in helping me grow as a player. Even while being busy enough running your own teams and the club you have made time to value and focus on each and every player. Thank you to my high school soccer coaches Mark Bowman and Matt Felt for making my high school experience just that much better and for believing in me as a freshman to make an impact on the team. You both motivated me to be the best I could be and you each made me more comfortable and confident even when being introduced to new positions and a new team. Lastly thank you to my family. Thank you to my sister who has been there in my life and on my team for not just six years but 16 years. Thanks for being my best friend and for supporting me no matter what. Mostly thanks to my parents. You guys have been there during our toughest losses and during our most rewarding wins. You both have made me the best I could possibly be and you each have dedicated so much time, money and effort into making me the person and player I am today. I can honestly say I wouldn’t be half the person or player I am today without each of you. You guys have done so much more than what was asked of you and for that I couldn’t be more thankful. Thank you both for making all my greatest dreams come true. I can’t wait to move onto the next step in my life and soccer career. Go Mustangs!” —Mackenzie George

“I am honored to announce that I have committed to play soccer at Army West Point as I continue my soccer career at the collegiate level. The opportunity to play soccer and represent such a prestigious institution is more than I could have hoped. A special thank you to Coach Payne, Coach Costanzo and Coach McAnulty at West Point for offering me the honor of becoming part of the Army family. I realize that this opportunity would not be possible without the help and support of some very special people: Paul O’Brien who has gone above and beyond on my behalf to help me realize my dream of playing soccer at the collegiate level: Jason Gantt, who is so good at getting me fired up and who challenges me to be the best I can be. His passion for the game reminds me everyday why I play soccer. Francois Barbe, who was my go to guy throughout the recruiting process, his valuable advice and insight in addition to his friendship, gave me the self-assurance to choose the right school for me. To Matt McDougal who helped give me the confidence to take chances and to not take myself too seriously. I would like to thank Ron Benjamin who helped me to see that he and the Placer program are committed to its members and makes every effort to develop players so they are able to continue to play soccer at the collegiate level if that is their goal. Finally, a huge thank you to my family and friends who have supported and encouraged me along my journey.” — Hunter Loomis

“I am extremely excited to announce that I will be attending Pomona College in Claremont, CA,  in the fall of 2016 and have committed to play soccer for the Sagehens. Playing for Placer United these past nine years has been an enormous part of my life, and I have met the most incredible people, discovered my passion, and been given many amazing opportunities. I owe much gratitude and appreciation to all my coaches, teammates and family for helping me along this journey. Thank you to Coach Lee Callow for making soccer fun and teaching me the fundamentals. Thank you to Coach Chris Alcala for encouraging me to play out of my comfort zone to become a more versatile player. Thank you to Coach Paul Morrison, my high school coach who believed in me since freshman year especially when I doubted myself. Thank you to Coach Bart Morefield for showing me the meaning of dedication and hard work. Thank you to my coach of three years, Gene DuChateau, “The Legend,” who continuously inspired my passion for the beautiful game, made me realize I wanted to play soccer in college, and helped me make that dream a reality. Thank you to Coach Todd Decarlo for shaping the player I am today… beginning at U-11 when your encouragement gave me the confidence to break out of my shell, U-12 when you made the team learn to juggle to 100 on our feet, all the way to now by supporting me throughout the college process. Thank you to Coach Ron Benjamin for his constant support, help, and encouragement throughout my entire time at Placer and through every step of the college process. Thank you to Coaches Nolan, Basso, and Scanlon for providing me with the opportunity to continue my journey with soccer in college at Pomona-Pitzer Women’s soccer. And especially, thank you to Coach Jen Scanlon for your encouragement and support in helping to make my dream school a reality!  Thank you to my second family, the amazing teammates that make me look forward to every game and every practice. Most importantly, I will never be able to thank my parents and three crazy siblings enough for all of their love, support, and encouragement. Go Placer and go Sagehens!” — Megan Kuo