“I am very excited to announce that I have committed the next four years of my soccer career to West Point, and the following 5 years of my life to being an officer in the United States Army. West Point is located an hour north of New York. Founded in 1802 by George Washington and Thomas Jefferson it is one of the oldest and most prestigious schools in the country. On top of getting one of the best educations in the country I will be playing Division 1 soccer at the highest level possible. I would like to thank my coaches Jason Gantt, Paul O’Brien, and Kelcey Chaidez, who all pushed me to be the best that I can be. I would also like to thank Matt Scammaca, Will Johanssen, Matt Bernard and Placer Legend, Gene DuChateau, for teaching me good goalkeeping techniques and helping improve my ability to read the game. 

Lastly I want to thank my parents, Francois and Marcia Barbe, for the years of taking me to soccer practices, goalkeeper training, and tournaments—whether they be at Cherry Island for Placer Cup or all the way to North Carolina to win a National title.

Go Placer! Go Army!” — Luc Barbe

“I am beyond excited to have verbally committed to the University of San Diego! I am so happy to have found such a beautiful school that fits everything I’ve wanted academically and athletically.  I am very grateful to be surrounded by so much love and support!

Thank you to my amazing family for always having my back and giving up countless hours so that I could play the sport that I love! Thank you to my teammates who always push me to be better on and off the field; you guys truly are my best friends! To Bart Morefield, thank you for believing in me and helping me build confidence. To Todd DeCarlo, thank you for being a great coach, for making the past two seasons so much fun. Your constant dedication to our team motivated me to work harder. Thank you Ron Benjamin for pushing me to step up my level of play and continuously helping me through the recruitment process.

I am looking forward to my next two years at Placer and then onto becoming a Torero!” — Savanna Thompson

“I am so excited to announce that I have committed to California State University, Sacramento! I couldn’t have found a better fit for me both academically and athletically. I plan to major in kinesiology and then continue on to get my doctorate in Physical Therapy. I am so thankful to coach Randy Dedini who is giving me this opportunity to play D1 soccer. I have so many people to thank for helping me get here.

First and foremost I want to thank my very first coach (my dad) who helped me realize my love for the game and for always pushing me to the next level and my family who is always so supportive. I want to thank Russ Melendez my former select coach of four years who taught me about hard work and dedication. I also want to thank my teammates who always made soccer practice the best part of my day.

 A little over a year ago I started my crazy journey at Placer United. Coming from my former select team onto Todd Decarlo’s U16 team was a huge jump for me. I was challenged and pushed more than I ever had been before. I grew so much as a player and I realized that playing in college was something I wanted to pursue. When I look back a year ago it is amazing how much better a soccer player I have become and I owe this to Todd Decarlo and Ron Benjamin for bringing me to Placer and for believing in me each step of the way.

I want to thank my current coach Ron Benjamin who played a huge part in the recruiting process and who always pushes me to play smarter, better, faster, and stronger. Lastly, I want to thank my current teammates who push me to become better every single practice and who share my love for the game.

I am excited and motivated to work harder than I ever have before so that I will be ready to join my team in the Fall 2016!

Go Hornets!” — Mikayla Reed

“I am honored to call myself a Dawg!  I have verbally committed to the University of Washington. UDub’s combined academic excellence and powerful approach to the game of soccer are everything I have ever hoped for as a student athlete.  It really fits me like a glove.  The campus is spectacular and since I don’t like heat, the famous rainy weather is just fine by me.

I’d like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Ron for getting me where I am in this recruiting process.  His work was instrumental to my having the opportunity to attend this remarkable university. Thank you also to Bart and Gene for their coaching and for always believing in me.  I want to give a special shout-out to Ahmet who really taught me how to play soccer, view a bigger picture of the game and become a more well-rounded player. Thank you to my parents who have supported me through thick and thin around the game of soccer and I am grateful to my brothers and sister who have always been my cheerleaders. 

Words cannot capture how excited I am to go to UDub and I can’t wait until I get there.  Let the training begin!” — Isa Castro

“I am honored to say that I have committed to UC Davis. I am very excited to play soccer at the great Division 1 program that Davis has to offer. Not only does UCD offer a top soccer program, but many great academic opportunities that I cannot wait to explore. I have many people to thank throughout my life, first and foremost my parents and sister, without their continued support I would not be the player or person I am today. My parents took me to countless games and practices and gave me love and support whether win or lose. I would like to thank my coaches Jason Gantt and Paul O’Brien, who have helped make this possible for me, as well as offering the best coaching I could ask for. They pushed me to the next level and really helped me step up my game in the past 6 months. I thank my teammates who are like a second family to me. I love every single one of them. Playing against them for so many years and now finally joining them on the same side is truly amazing. I’m very grateful to play my last year of competitive soccer with these guys, and continue on to Davis!”

Go Aggies!

“I am so excited to announce that I am playing at Weber State University this fall. After visiting the campus and meeting the players and coaches, I knew it was a perfect fit for me. I am so grateful for everyone that has been influential on my soccer experience. I would first like to thank my parents for being at every single game, believing in me from the start, and supporting me in every decision I have made. I also want to thank my goalkeeper coaches, Simon Sheppard and Matt Bernard. To Simon, thank you for believing in me from the beginning and helping me fall in love with soccer all over again. To Matt, thank you for helping me improve so much technically this last year and enjoy getting better. I would also like to thank my coach Sarah Alderson for picking me up the very last day of tryouts and seeing my potential, as well as Ron Benjamin for being a crucial person in the recruiting process and for helping me out so much in my college search. Thank you to all my past coaches and all of my teammates over the years that have pushed me and become some of my best friends. I am so excited to take the next step and play collegiate soccer this upcoming fall and have my dream come true.

Go Wildcats!”

Sydney Pagador

“I am excited to announce that I have verbally committed to the University of New Mexico. It’s such a blessing that I get to play soccer at the school where my dad played football. After visiting the campus, I completely fell in love with everything the school has to offer, from the academics to the soccer program. The coaches, Kit Vela, Jorge Vela, and Krista Foo are wonderful people who I cannot wait to play for. I couldn’t have done it without the love and support from everyone throughout my years of playing for Placer United.  Thank you to my first coach, Lee Callow, who taught me the basics and fundamentals of the game; to Nathan Williams who built me as a player tactically and mentally; and lastly, to Ron Benjamin for the constructive criticism and pushing me to strive to do my best and made me the player I am today. I am blessed and thankful to have been so fortunate to play for Placer United since U10.  I am looking forward to finishing my last year with an amazing team and coach. I would like to thank my teammates, who aren’t just teammates, but are my best friends and life-long sisters. There are no other people I’d rather be spending practically every day with. They make me laugh and push me to work harder and become a better player. Lastly and most importantly, my thanks and gratitude to my parents who have done so much for me— taking me to countless games and practices and supporting me every step of the way. I am extremely excited to go to UNM and am looking forward to being a part of a great soccer program. I am committed to work hard and to strive for greatness each and every day! Go Lobos!” —Sydney Pagador

“I am so happy to announce that I have officially verbally committed to University of San Francisco! Ever since I was a young girl I have dreamed of being able to go to college and play soccer, and now I finally get my chance to do so! I am so thankful for everyone in my life who has helped me become the soccer player I am today. I first want to thank my parents. They have been my biggest supporters from the beginning and have sacrificed so much for me to be able to play the sport I love. I also want to thank my teammates who push me every day at practice to become a better player and are all truly my best friends. To Bart, who brought me on to the team when I first came to Placer and gave me a whole new prospective on the game and improved my tactical skills tremendously. I want to thank Ron for being so involved in the recruiting process. I am so excited to spend my last two years at Placer with him as my coach, making me the best player I can be. And finally I want to thank Todd DeCarlo who has been my coach for the past two years and without a doubt made me the player I am today. He is truly one of the best coaches I have ever had. He has improved my technical ability so much and the way he coaches and his love for the game helps me strive to become better every day. I am so excited to spend four amazing years living in San Francisco, playing soccer, and getting an amazing education! This commitment is just another step in my soccer career and has pushed me even harder to become better every day to lead me to the day that I become a Don!” — Izzie Leuken

“I am super excited to say that I have verbally committed to Cal State University, East Bay. After visiting the campus and meeting the coaches, Amy Gerace and assistant Zlatan Sahmanovic, I knew it was the perfect fit for me. I would like to thank all my coaches in the past for getting me were I am today, but a special thank you to Ron Benjamin for pushing me in practice and games and also helping me gain the ability I need for the next level. I am looking forward to playing collegiate soccer as a Pioneer and furthering my education. Lastly, I would like to thank my Mom and Dad for making my soccer career possible and always being my number one support system.

Go Pioneers!” — Savannah Schultz

Corban Anderson

“I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to play soccer at the University of Washington. It is very humbling to have accomplished this goal of playing at a top ranked, Division 1 soccer program. Apart from the soccer, UW offers a top International Business program, a great location in the heart of Seattle, and a contagious, PAC-12 campus culture. I owe a big thanks to my coaches at Placer United: my Dad, Kelcey Chaidez, Paul O’Brien and Jason Gantt. I would not be near the player I am without my years at Placer United and the exposure our Club gave to me at events, specifically Surf Cup, where I was first noticed by my future coaches at UW, Jaime Clark and Jeff Rowland. Also, thanks to my teammates. You guys are brothers to me and I couldn’t imagine playing and growing up with anyone else. Most of all, I want to thank my family for supporting me and inspiring me to not only be the best player I can be, but also for encouraging me to continue to develop as a person. I’m very excited to pursue greater things in my last years in black and gold at Placer United and my future years in purple and gold at the University of Washington. Go Placer United! And go Huskies!” — Corban Anderson