“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

“I am very excited to announce that I have committed to attend and continue my soccer journey at the Air Force Academy! This is an incredible opportunity with state-of-the art facilities, excellent coaching staff, academics, and the ability for me to graduate as an officer at the AFA. Many thanks to my Air Force coaches, Larry Friend, Kiha Sutta, and Captain Christin Brodie, for their support and encouragement through this process. I am so grateful for my Placer family and coaches for developing me into the player I am today. After finishing my seven years with Placer Club, I will get to attend the D1 school of my dreams. Many thanks to Coach Todd Decarlo, Gene Duchateau, Bart Morefield, Matt Scammacca, and of course Ron Benjamin. I especially want to thank my parents for their constant support and encouragement. I can’t wait to continue my soccer career at the Air Force Academy. Go Falcons!” — Rachel Gensch

“Beyond blessed to announce that I have committed to Cal Berkley! It’s has been a very long journey to get to this point and I would like to thank all of my teammates, friends, and family who have helped me achieve this. When it came down to it, Cal was an easy choice for me, it being a Pac-12 school, top 5 in the nation academically, and it just felt like home. I would like to deeply thank my coach Ron Benjamin who has been my coach since I moved to Placer last year. Ron has been the biggest help in the college recruitment process and I couldn’t have done it with out him. I would also like to thank my trainer Aklesh who has been training me since I was 8 years old. Without Aklesh I wouldn’t be where I am today, he constantly pushes me and makes me a better player each time I step on the field to train with him. He also believed in me when no one else did. Lastly, I would like to thank my dear parents for their never ending support and teaching me the values of hard work, dedication, and respect. I feel very grateful and humbled by this opportunity to play for Cal and I look forward to preparing myself both physically and academically! Go Bears!” — Abena Aidoo

“I am so excited to announce that I have verbally committed to Illinois Wesleyan University to continue my soccer career and broaden my knowledge of the world at an excellent university. I have been with Placer United Soccer Club for the past nine years and I know I would not be the player or person I am today had I not made the decision to be a part of Placer’s amazing competitive soccer program. I would like to thank my coaches over the years including Todd DeCarlo, Gene DuChateau, Ron Benjamin, and Bart Morefield. Todd, thank you for teaching me essential skills that led me to improve my foot skills and my agility. Gene, thank you for always pushing me harder and harder to improve because you knew I was capable. Ron, thank you for the endless amount of fitness that made us more fit than our opponents and thank you for always dedicating so much time to us, even when you would rather be with your family. And Bart, thank you for always being the one to believe in me when I struggled to believe in myself. Lastly, I would like to thank my parents for encouraging me to follow my dreams and allowing me to move to Illinois, despite the fact that I am your baby girl. I am so honored and humbled to have such great support all around me these past nine years, so thank you all.” — Emma Darragh

“I am super excited to announce that I have committed to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo to continue to play the sport I love and to attend an amazing school.  As soon as I stepped foot on the campus and walked around the town, I knew this was a special place. Working with Coach Crozier, Coach Smith, and Coach Silva made the decision an easy one.  Coach Silva always took my many phone calls and answered all my questions and made the decision to say ‘yes’ an easy one.

This would not have been possible without all the people that have played a role in my life. First, thanks to all my coaches for helping me get this far – my first coach at U6, Mr. Nimtz, my first comp coach, Ron Sanchez, my first Placer coach, Lee ‘Wembly’ Callow, and Coach Scammacca.  A special thanks to Coach Ron Benjamin for not only pushing me beyond my limits, but also for being there by my side throughout the college recruiting process.  Of course, the biggest thanks goes to my family –  My sisters for always being there; my mom, for driving me everywhere and loving me no matter what and for always being positive in her feedback; and my dad for being my advisor, my secretary, and my friend. He has played a major part in my decision making process, spent countless hours helping me create emails and highlight videos, and gave me the confidence for my first college coach call.  He has always offered the best advice and driven me to be the best player and person possible.

Being able to attend Cal Poly and play soccer at the division one level is a dream come true. I’m definitely going to enjoy the remaining three years of high school, but look forward to the next chapter in my life.” —Emily Talmi

“I am very excited to share that I will be playing for Azusa Pacific University on the women’s soccer team next fall in 2016! Many of my coaches and teammates through the years have impacted the way I play and the player I am on the field. Nick Perjanik always encouraged me to take on defenders and get “hungry for a goal”. Mark Broers and Coach Frank have coached me through my high school seasons at Granite Bay High School and made me love the game even more. Coach Todd, Coach Ron, and Coach Katie have been my coaches while playing for Placer and I cannot express how thankful I am for all three of them as they made me a well-rounded player. My soccer IQ, foot skills and much more have improved tremendously while playing for these coaches. My parents have been huge supporters through the years that I have played soccer. Even through early morning games and soccer tournament chaos, they have been 100% on my side and pushing me to be better. My brother, Konner, has encouraged me through the years to always be confident in my abilities. He has many qualities that I aspire to be more like every day and following in his footsteps of going to a Christian college is very exciting to me! There is ultimately one reason why I play the game and who I should thank for being where I am. God has opened numerous doors for me within the past couple of years and soccer is just one many. I am ecstatic for next fall and to get to know the APU family; growing in Christ with my teammates, coaches, and trainers was my number one priority when choosing where I will attend and I am very confident in that I have found the perfect place for this at APU.” — Kennedy Christie

“I am so excited to share that I have committed to UCLA, the #1 ranked team in the country. The minute I stepped on the campus and met with the players, the coaching staff and Coach Salcedo, I felt at home and knew it was the right place for me. I wanted to play for a school that competes every year for a national championship, that has awesome academics and can help me become a professional keeper. At UCLA, the competitive environment everyday at practice with top notch players from all over the world and everyone fighting for a starting position will help me achieve that goal. They have an incredible track record of producing MLS players and I know I can help them win another championship. I can’t thank my coaches at Placer United enough for all that they have done for me, especially Paul O’Brien. He knew my goals and would push me everyday to be the best I could be. Even playing for the San Jose Earthquakes and now for the Sacramento Republic FC Academy, Paul has been instrumental in my development and continues to take an interest in my growth, and I appreciate that so much! I also want to thank Gene DeChateau and Matt Bernard for helping develop my goalkeeping skills and for helping take my game to the next level! I can’t wait to play for UCLA! Go Bruins!” — Cameron Douglas