“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

“I’d like to start by thanking everybody who has gotten to me this point in my soccer career and have been able to help me fulfill my goal of being able to play collegiate soccer at Claremont McKenna College.  My parents for driving me to practices 3 times a week and games hours away ever since I was 8 when I started playing for Placer United, and for always pushing me to be my best, not only as an athlete, but as a person.  My little sisters for always coming to watch me play and being my biggest fans.  My friends for putting up with me even though I’ve said ‘I can’t, I have soccer,” a thousand more times than you have wanted me to.  Nathan Williams for being one of the best coaches I’ve ever had and truly teaching me how to understand and love the game.  Ron Benjamin for believing in me and helping me throughout the whole of the recruiting process, as well as pushing me to my very limits—you have undoubtedly toughened me up both mentally and physically more than anybody.  Keri Sanchez for watching me play over the past couple of years and for giving me the opportunity to play for her at CMC.  And finally, thank you to my Placer family and teammates that have been there with me since the very beginning.  Having been with the club since U9, I have grown up with the club, and wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. All this being said, I can’t wait to start the next chapter in my life at Claremont McKenna College, and I’ll always come back to visit to see everybody and watch my sister, Emily, tear it up on the pitch wearing the black and gold.  GO PLACER! AND GO ATHENAS!” — Sydney Talmi

“From the first time I set foot on the Chapman campus, I knew this is where I wanted my future to be.  I feel so proud and honored to have been accepted and even more, to be committed as a future Panther.  I feel blessed to have spent the last 7 years as part of the Placer United family.  I feel certain I would not have the opportunity to play college soccer at my dream school were it not for the programs, coaching and development I have received here.  Many of my teammates today have been with me since the beginning and have supported and motivated me to pursue my dreams.  I also want to acknowledge my coaches John Chimienti, Bart Morefield, Todd DeCarlo and Ron Benjamin for assisting me on this journey and making me the player I am today.  A big shout out to Sarah Barton who took the time at many various tournaments to come and watch me play.  And finally, a heartfelt thank you to my family who have instilled in me that true character is the most important thing, whether it be on or off the pitch. 

I’m so excited to continue to play the sport I love as part of the Chapman community for the next 4 years!” — Lindsay Erl

“I feel honored (and very relieved) to have committed to University of Colorado, Colorado Springs, to play Division 2 Soccer. Not only does this school offer great academic opportunity, it allows me to pursue two sports I love, soccer and ice hockey. I’d like to thank my parents for supporting me throughout my entire youth soccer career and always being my number one fans. I’d also like to give a special thanks to Quinn McArthur and his staff who got me back on the field after fracturing my spine last year, and to my coach Cory Clonce, who made me believe in myself and for always pushing me to be my best. Lastly, a huge thanks to anyone who doesn’t think a “B team” player can play in college at a high level, it was a huge motivator.” — Cal Franze