“I am beyond excited to announce that I have verbally committed to attend and play soccer at Brown University in 2016. I don’t think I could have found a more perfect fit for me and I cannot wait to play for Coach Laughlin and receive an Ivy League education. Go Bears!

I would like to thank everybody who helped me get to where I am today. I could not have done it without the support from the Club and Placer staff members. First of all, I want to say thank you to Matt Scammacca and Kelcey Chaidez for helping me grow as a player in my youth years. Another thank you goes to Robbie Handie for helping me further develop my skills this past year.

I am incredibly grateful to Jason Gantt for allowing me to be part of the Placer ’97 team at Dallas Cup this past spring, where I was seen by Brown University. I would also like to say thanks to the guidance of Francois Barbe this past year. I’d like to thank my teammates who constantly push me to get better as a player and for being some of my best friends on and off the field.

I want to especially thank Paul O’Brien for making me the player I am today and helping me turn this dream into a reality. I could not have done it without him.

Most of all, I would not be the person I am today without the love and support from my parents, who backed up my every decision the entire way. I am very much looking forward to my final year representing the yellow submarine and being part of the Placer family.”  —Zac Anderson

“I am very excited to announce that I have committed to Chico State. After trying to find the perfect fit, I decided that Chico would be the best fit for me and I cannot thank everyone who helped me with this process enough. My parents devoted many years and long trips to allow me to continue my soccer career and I would not be anywhere without them. I am especially thankful to both Todd Decarlo, who helped initiate the whole process, and Ron Benjamin, who helped to develop me into a stronger and more confident player. I am also thankful for the experiences I have shared with each of the different teams and players at Placer United.  It has been amazing past few years and I grew so much not only as a player, but also as a person.  I am so excited to continue soccer on a college level and know I am going to have an amazing time at Chico. I cannot wait to see how I develop as a player with the help of my new coach Kim Sutton, and am so grateful for all that Placer United has done for me!” — Abby Huizenga

“I am very excited to announce that I have committed to Occidental College to play soccer for the next four years! I can’t wait to attend such a great academic college while continuing to play the sport I love! 

I’m so grateful that I was able to become part of the Placer United family over the past three years; joining the club has been one of the best decisions I made during high school and I would not have developed as a player if it weren’t for Placer United. I wanted to thank all of my teammates from the past few years. The journey has been unforgettable and I wouldn’t be the same player without every one of my teammates. I also owe a big thank you to the coaches who have helped me grow as a player. Thank you to Sarah Alderson and BJ Glass for helping me become more confident as a player and helping me understand my own potential. And, thank you especially to Ron Benjamin and Todd DeCarlo for welcoming me into the club, helping me acclimate to the new environment, and pushing me to become a better player, all while helping me with the college process.

Most importantly, I owe an incredible amount of thanks to my parents who have driven me thousands and thousands of miles for practices and games and who have supported me in everything for as long as I can remember. Without them, I would not have had the chance to be a part of such a great club. And, special thanks to my Dad, who helped me fall in love with the game and taught me so much of what I know today.

Go Tigers!” — Sophia Vallas

“I am very excited to announce that I will be attending Stevens Institute of Technology for the next four years. Located in New Jersey, I feel that Stevens is the perfect fit for me to continue playing soccer and further my education. I really look forward to begin playing under coaches Rensing and Gkionis and to become a part of the class of 2019.

I would like to thank all of those who have helped me get to this point. I never could have done it without such a great club as Placer United and all of the coaching staff who have really helped me improve my game. I want to give a big thanks to Jason Gantt and Francois Barbe for all that they have done and also my teammates who have made these last few years into such a great experience. Last of all, I would like to thank my parents, and my whole family, who have been with me every step of the way. Without their support I don’t know where I would be today.” —Nikolai Figueroa

“I am happy to announce my commitment to attend and play soccer for William Jessup University. This will be an exciting  opportunity for me to continue to play the sport I love and also get the education that I need for the future. I would like to thank my parents for pushing me to help achieve my goals. I would also like to thank my coach Cory Clonce, and all the other Placer United staff and coaches that helped me become a better player on the field and a better person off the field. I want to also thank all of the people that have helped me get to where I am today.” — Connor Entz

“I am very happy to commit to Southern Oregon University. SOU will provide me with a great education as well as the opportunity to continue playing the sport I love. I would like to thank my parents for everything they have done throughout my life to get me to this point. I would also like to thank my coach, Cory Clonce. He has always pushed me to do my best on and off the field and has developed me into the player that I am today. The entire Placer United coaching staff has helped me in so many ways and I am grateful for it.” — Brendan Allen

“I am happy to announce my commitment to Northwestern Nazarene University of Idaho to play NCAA Division II soccer. This school offers a great kinesiology and sports medicine program for me. Not only do I get to play the sport I love, but I will receive a great education. I’d like to thank first my parents for paying for and allowing me to play Placer United Soccer Club and Victory Christian Schools faculty and staff for being there for me, supporting me, and moving mountains to give me this opportunity. I want to thank my coach Matt Scammacca, for teaching me my fundamental skills and inspiring me to play at the next level, as well as my current coach, Cory Clonce, for pushing me to the max to bring out the best in me, and restoring confidence that was much needed. And last but not least, our Placer United team manager, Jeff Flint, for going over the top to contact colleges and recruiters as well as scheduling all our teams events. I want to be an inspiration to anyone from a small “Division 6 School” showing that you can be successful no matter how small you start from.”

—Lantz Shope

“I am so excited to say that I have verbally committed to Chico State! It has been a long process and I never would have even had the chance to play college soccer without the help of my parents. I don’t know how to thank them enough for all they have done. I also want to thank my teammates for being my sisters and say good luck to the ones headed off next year. I would like to thank all my Placer coaches. First, thank you John Chimienti for taking me in at U13’s and really developing my foot skills; Bart Morefield for bringing our team back together; Todd DeCarlo for starting me in the college process, and spending so much time with us making everyone so much better; and finally Ron Benjamin. Ron, thank you so much for improving me not only in the last year but throughout all my years in Placer. Even though you weren’t my coach, you let me practice and play with your teams which really brought confidence to my eyes and taught me a lot. As well as helping me with the game, you have done a tremendous job helping me throughout my college process. I’m excited to have you as a coach again next year so I can grow as a player and a person even more! I am beyond excited to spend my last year with my Placer family and then have the opportunity to head to Chico to continue playing for the amazing coach, Kim Sutton. I truly believe I will become a better athlete and person all around at Chico with Coach Sutton as my coach.” —Emily Curry

“I am so happy that I have found and committed to my home for the next four years. I will no longer have to stress about my college decision because I found a school that will welcome me in more ways than one. Illinois Institute of Technology will challenge me academically as well as allow me to continue playing the sport I love. I have confidence in my decision knowing that I will have my family’s support and the acceptance of my new team and coach.

I want to thank all of those who nurtured me throughout my soccer career since it will always be a big part of my life. Most importantly, without the Placer United Soccer Club I know I would not be in the same position that I am today. First, I want to thank Ron Benjamin immensely for seeing my potential and bringing me to the next level of play in high school. I know I don’t say it enough, but I owe him so much for believing in me and continuing to push me to be my best. Next, I want to thank Sarah Alderson because the year I was on her team, I grew much stronger mentall, and without her I don’t think I would be prepared for this next step. Finally, I owe a big thanks to Todd DeCarlo for teaching me so much during my first years at Placer United and being the coach to bring my final team to victory in our fall NPL season. I am so sad that this is my last year under his guidance, however I am equally excited to have new adventures next year as a Lady Scarlet Hawk!”

—Kirsten Robinson

“I am very pleased to announce that I have committed to attend and play soccer at Cal Baptist University in Riverside, CA.  After visiting CBU, I knew I wanted to be a Lancer and play for Coach Schroeder. I think he will continue to help me become a better player as well as a better student. 

None of this would have been possible without the great coaches I have encountered during my soccer career. Although I am relatively new to Placer United, Coach Jason Gantt, Francois Barbe, and my Placer teammates have been a great inspiration this last season. I have had many great opportunities since joining Placer United and want to thank everyone involved in making this possible.

Most importantly I want to thank my family for their support. My parents, Kevin and Mary Kearney, have put in countless hours driving me to practices and games. My sister, Molly, has been a great role model for me as a student athlete. I have been blessed with a great support system and can’t thank everyone enough.”  

— Maxwell Kearney