“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

“I am super excited to announce that I have committed to the University of San Francisco to continue to play the sport that I love at an amazing school. I’ve always loved San Francisco and as soon I was able to see the campus and the team play, I knew it was the perfect fit. Plus being able to meet and talk to Coach Millinder and Coach O’Sullivan made it an easy decision. I want to thank all my previous coaches, my dad (my first coach ever), Coach McGrew (my first select coach) Matt Scammacca (my first comp coach), and last but not least Ron Benjamin, who has been one of the biggest reasons I’ve even gotten this opportunity and I can’t thank him enough for everything he has done for me. The biggest thank you goes out to my family. My brother and sister always there supporting me and making me better. My mom and dad driving me everywhere, pushing me beyond my limits, helping me create emails and calling coaches, giving me reality checks, and dealing with me in general. 

To be able to attend USF and play soccer there is a dream come true. I am looking forward to the rest of my high school career and opening new doors into the future.” — Sylvia Sloss

“I am proud to announce that I have committed to play at Dominican University of California. First, I would like to thank the coaches who helped get me ready for this next level, Coach Matt McDougall, Coach Matt Scammacca and Coach Paul O’Brien. In the last ten years that I’ve played for Placer, your coaching has prepared me well for this amazing opportunity. Over the last couple of years, Coach McDougall has helped me so much with the college recruiting process, as well as my own personal soccer progress. You all have given me the tools for success, and I really appreciate all you’ve done for me and my teammates. And to my teammates, I want mine to know how much I love them, and that I’ll never forget this team and all we’ve accomplished over the past several years. I’m really going to miss you guys. Most of all, I would like to thank my family for supporting me through it all, no matter what decisions I made. I love you all so much for your support and guidance on and off the field, and for the sacrifices you’ve made over the years so that I could play soccer. I cannot wait for what my future soccer career has in store for me at Dominican, and I thank Placer United for putting me in a position to make this happen.”— Brendan Adame

“I am very proud to announce that I have verbally committed to play soccer at Sonoma State University. This is truly a dream come true for me to play at the next level for at least 4 more years! First off, I would like to thank Coach Ziemer for giving me the opportunity to come to his program. Your positive words of encouragement recently have made me a better person and a better player. I would also like to thank my team here at Placer. I love all you guys and I will never forget this team. I know I have only been here for 1 season but you guys welcomed me like I have been here my whole life and I will forever be thankful for that. Next, I would like to thank my parents. There are no words to sum up what they have done for me in my soccer life. They have driven me all over the state just so I can play this game, take me to practice, and give me words of encouragement when I need it most. I love you both. Lastly, I would like to thank my coach Matt McDougall. I will never be able to thank you enough for all you have done for me. You have made me a better goalie and helped me as much as I needed it during the recruiting process. You have always been there for me no matter how many questions I asked at any time of the day. You are the best coach a player can ask for. I will never forget Placer United and all the memories I have made here but, I cannot wait for the next step in my soccer career and what it has in store for me at Sonoma State University. Go Seawolves!” — Ryan Kelly

“I am honored and excited to announce I have committed to play soccer for Saint Mary’s College in California! Making the decision to commute from Reno to Roseville for soccer is the best thing I have ever done. I’m beyond grateful for my family’s dedication to driving me around 600 miles a week to training and games solely to help me achieve my dream of playing D1 soccer. I am incredibly thankful for my team, who pushes me every single day to work harder and who I know I can always count on. I would also like to thank Ron Benjamin immensely for his encouragement, and for shaping me into the player and person I am today. Additionally I would like to thank Matt Bernard and Matt McDougall who have assisted my development as a goalkeeper exponentially through my years at Placer. I am also very thankful for Lauren McAdam who took the time to train me when I first fell in love with goalkeeping and continues to support me over six years later. Another huge thank you to every goalkeeper I have trained with, as you all make training the crazy, fun, and competitive environment that makes me glad I play such a unique position. Playing college soccer became my dream when I was eight years old as I sat in the stands watching a UNR women’s game, and I am ecstatic and humbled that dream is coming true! Without Coaches Travis, Tina, and Brook I would not have this opportunity; I am very grateful for their support and for welcoming me into their school so warmly. I am truly thrilled to have the opportunity to be a part of such an amazing team and to attend such an unbelievable school. GO GAELS!! #blessed” — Maleah Milner

“I am very excited to announce that I have committed to Presbyterian College! I would like to thank all of the teammates I have had at Placer through the years that made me the person and player I am today. A big thank you to all the goalkeeper coaches that I have worked with: Matt Scammacca, Matt Bernard and Matt McDougall. Thank you for always pushing me to be the best I could possibly be and believing in me no matter what. I would also like to thank all my coaches, especially Todd DeCarlo, Katie Burton, and Ron Benjamin. Your constant support has helped me to become more confident in my abilities as a player. I cannot express how thankful I am for the endless hours spent on sidelines and the constant driving to practices and games my parents have endured, all of which was done with a smile on their face. I could not have gotten here without them. Last but definitely not least I would like to thank all the goalkeepers I have trained with through the years. You guys (and of course our awesome coaches) are what truly makes goalkeeper training my favorite night of the week. I have been a part of the Placer family for the past 9 years and I’ve made memories that I will never forget. I look forward to continuing my soccer career to the collegiate level next year under Coach Purcell and Coach Palmer! I cannot thank them enough for allowing me to pursue my dream of playing DI soccer! #blessed

Go Blue Hose!”
Alyssa Leaman

“I am extremely ecstatic to announce my commitment to Loyola Marymount University; I will be joining them in the fall of 2018 as a Lion!  From the time I knocked my play pen over at my sisters’ soccer games, to now, all I wanted was to be on that field playing the beautiful game of soccer. Playing college ball has always been a dream of mine and I am eternally grateful to everyone who has helped me achieve this goal. First, I would like to thank LMU, Coach Myers, Coach Kagan, and Coach Shoop, for the opportunity to play the game I love at such a prestigious program and captivating school. I want to thank the Randolph Soccer Club (now FC Sonora) in Tucson, Arizona for sponsoring my first soccer team (Pumalitas) and helping spark my interest and desire for the game. I want to thank AYSO Region 206 and the Tucson Mountain Soccer Club for facilitating early development and enjoyment of the game. I want to thank all the coaches, staff and players at the Tucson Soccer Academy, especially Coach Jeff Rogers, for building my foundation of soccer that has helped me to grow as a player to where I am today. Thanks to the Tracy Futbol Club for providing my first opportunity at club soccer after moving from Arizona. A sincere thanks goes to Marlon Fernandez, Stuart Rafferty, and the West Coast Soccer Club for helping me develop my skills for the game. Thank you to Philippe Blin, Walter Pratte, John Byford and ALL the coaches, past teammates, and older players at Pleasanton Rage Soccer Club for helping me develop the fine points of the game in an important part of my development phase as a player. To my sister, Jasmine, I want to thank her for all her off-the-field and on-the-field support, especially the benefits of playing with an elite player. To my sister, Skye, I want to thank her for all her college advice and her encouragement towards doing what was right through determination and desire. To my mother, Gina, I want to thank her for all her succor during my hardships and for always having my back through thick and thin.  To my father, Andrew, I want to thank him for everything that he has ever done; driving me to my events, taking the time that he didn’t have out of his schedule just to help me improve myself, and always being there when no one else was to remind me of my roots and my morals. A huge thank you to my River City High School coach, Kamal Singh, his entire staff and all my teammates, for welcoming us and our family and providing me a home where I could continue to grow as a player, leader, person and felt comfortable expressing myself both on and off the field. I would also like to thank Paolo Bonomo and the entire PDP staff for helping develop my game to the next level and to Tyler Gottschalk and the entire ODP staff for helping me showcase my talents and refine my skills. A special thanks to Zabi Azizpor, Atiq Samady and ALL the players within the Itifaq Afghan Soccer Club of Tracy California; you showed the character and kindness to allow a female player to experience the game as it should be played – with passion and creativity. A most special thanks to my current club coach Ron Benjamin, Placer United teammates and Placer United staff; from day one, they were always open and accepting of me and have truly helped me become a better player and person.  Thank you to ALL the other coaches and players in Tucson and NorCal who have allowed me to join in and train with them over the years. If it weren’t for ALL these WONDERFUL people I would never be where I am today and for that I will never be forgetful of my past, never be complacent of the present, and never be apathetic of my future; I will always be honored and humbled.  I can’t wait to begin my roaring career with LMU!” — Sydney Schultz

“I’m extremely honored and excited to say that I have verbally committed to Pepperdine University. I want to thank all of my coaches Ron Sanchez, Lee Callow, Matt Scammacca and Mark Broers. A special thank you to Ron Benjamin for always pushing me to be the best I can be and for helping me to become a better leader. From wet, freezing games at 8:00 in the morning all the way to blazing, hot summer games, my parents and sister have been the biggest supporters anyone could ask for, and I am so appreciative of all that they have done for me. When it came down to making my decision, it was clear to me that Pepperdine was the school for me. I knew that it was not only a challenging school for academics, but I also felt that I would excel greatly not only as a player but also as a person there. Pepperdine University has been my dream school since I was 10 years old and to be able to play the sport that I love AND have amazing coaches and teammates at Pepperdine, is truly a blessing. I’m very appreciative of all the players on my team for pushing in practice, their friendships and never letting me slack no matter how tired I truly was. I love my team at Placer United, however, I’m also excited to make a future in 2018 with the Waves.” — Nicollete Lewis