“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

“I feel blessed and honored to announce that I have committed to Southern Oregon. I am excited to have the opportunity to play soccer at the college level! I’m looking forward to living in a new environment, attending classes, and playing soccer while getting my education. Southern Oregon is a good fit for me because I want to focus on my grades and keep developing as a player. I would like to say thank you to my mom and dad for sacrificing so much for me because without them I wouldn’t be where I am today. I would also like to thank Jason Gantt and Paul O’Brien for always motivating my teammates and myself to do our best and for developing us into the players that we are. I would like to give a special thank you to Francois Barbe for working countless hours on helping the team with pretty much everything.

Being part of Placer United Soccer Club has been one of the greatest things that has happened to me because it helped me reach my dream. I am so thankful to have played with such great players that I’m proud to call my teammates. I thank God for putting all these great people in my life and for influencing me to always work hard to reach my goals. I’m excited to finish my last season with Placer United before I head off to college and enter a new chapter of my life.

Go Placer!” — James Ramos

“I am proud to announce that I have committed to South Dakota School of Mines and Technology to play Division 2 soccer. SDSMT offers an excellent Mechanical Engineering program, which I intend to study, as well as soccer program where I can make an impact. I am honored to join Coach Jordan Kadlec and the Hardrocker family. First of all, I’d like to give a huge thank you to my parents for being my number one fans and supporters, and my sister for being the real MVP since day one. Secondly, I’d like to give a special thanks to Doctor Mamone and the group of physical therapists that helped me get back on the field after my ACL knee surgery. Also, thank you to Coach Paul Hansen for giving me the opportunity to play my first year of collegiate soccer at American River College. Finally, thank you to my coach, Cory Clonce, for helping me get my confidence back, pushing me to be my best on the field, and for believing I could play at the next level. I’m excited to see what the future holds, Go Rockers!” — David Pineda

“University of California Davis here I come! After 10 years of soccer, I have – finally – made the decision to play Division 1 soccer at UC Davis for Coach Twila Kaufman and Coach Robin Grossman. I know I could not have gotten to this important and exciting point in my life without many very special people who have played a significant role in my life. Firstly, to my wonderful parents, thank you for always supporting and guiding me through all the years of early games and long travels. Secondly, thank you to my family for coming out to my games and cheering me on in all sorts of dramatic weather. Additionally, I would like to thank my amazing teammates and their families for being such an encouraging and welcoming community.

I would also like to thank my magnificent coaches that I have had throughout my soccer experience: Coach Lawrence Divinagracia, Coach John DeMartini, Coach Conor McNulty, Coach Todd DeCarlo, Coach Matthew Bernard, and Coach Ron Benjamin. Coach Lawrence Divinagracia was one of the first coaches I ever had and he taught me the fundamental lessons of teamwork, positive attitude, and most importantly that soccer is about having fun and enjoying yourself; thank you. Coach John DeMartini was the first coach I had at San Juan Soccer Club and he has remained one of my favorite coaches for being a father figure to us girls in his lighthearted personality, yet serious and strong work ethic combined with high expectations of one’s team and one’s self; thank you. Coach Conor McNulty was my goalkeeper coach for a year and he pushed me to my limits of goalkeeping ability while maintaining a fun and enjoyable atmosphere; thank you. Coach Todd DeCarlo was my first coach at Placer United and he reinforced the team unity, which I felt was missing for a couple years prior to joining Placer; thank you. Coach Matthew Bernard is my current goalkeeper coach at Placer who works with me on expanding my talents and strengthening my weaknesses, yet always keeping a fun and cheerful environment; thank you. Last but not least, Coach Ron Benjamin has worked extremely hard – devoting many of his own personal hours – on enhancing our team’s performance and capabilities, further developing our individual abilities, promoting each girl on this spectacular team for the opportunity to play collegiate soccer, and giving me the confidence to believe that I can play at any college I want as long as I work hard enough and still love the game; thank you.

Finally, I would like to thank my future coaches at UC Davis for the opportunity to further develop my athletic abilities and seeing the potential in me. I cannot wait to begin this journey at a superb school with such incredible girls.” — Allie Carmickle