“I am extremely excited to announce that I will be calling Humboldt State University my home for the next four years, while also making an impact playing the sport I love. I never thought the college process was going to easy, but I was surprised and pleased to find that becoming a Lumberjack was a natural choice. Humboldt not only has the academic programs I’ve been searching for, but is also the perfect environment to bring my game to the next level.

​But I couldn’t have gotten to where I am today without the love and support of my friends and family. I want to thank my parents for pushing me to be the best I can be and giving me the best chance possible for success. I would like to thank Todd DeCarlo and Ron Benjamin as well; both of whom were instrumental to my recruitment and soccer success over the past three years. That being said, I am so fortunate to have had this opportunity and I couldn’t be more thrilled to be playing under Coach Paul Karver’s guidance during my collegiate experience at Humboldt.

Go Jacks!” — Alex Jenkins

“I am immensely honored to let everyone know that I have committed to Sacramento State. I love everything that Sac State has to offer athletically and academically. I felt truly comfortable with the coaching staff, as well with the players. I feel that the program is heading in a great direction and I’ll be able to continue to grow as a player and as a better all around person. I want to thank coach Mike Linenberger, Matt McDougall, and coach Tellez for the chance to continue playing at the highest level.

I was privileged to be able to be part of such an amazing club such as Placer United. I can truly say if it wasn’t for Placer United I wouldn’t be where I am today. I didn’t just grow as a player but I grew as a better person. I want to thank Kelcey Chaidez, Jason Gantt, and Paul O’Brien for always pushing me to be the best player I can be, as well as the whole Placer United staff as they all had an impact during my time with the club. I couldn’t have done it without my team and I love every single one of them as a brother. A huge thank you also goes out to Jeff Flint, François Barbe, and Jodi Tarr for always being there for me outside the pitch. Most of all I thank God and my parents for everything they have done for me. My parents have sacrificed so much for me and I greatly appreciate all they did for me. I am excited to finish off our very successful season and move forward to the next chapter of my life.

GO PLACER AND GO HORNETS!” — Christian Guzman

“I’ve been very privileged to be a part of Placer United Soccer Club. During my time at Placer I’ve grown to be a better player and a stronger person all around. I’m thankful for having been involved with coaches such as Kelsey Chaidez, Jason Gantt and Paul O’Brien, for always working to bring out the very best in me and creating the opportunity for me to become part of something special. As a result of my development at Placer, I have made the decision to join the soccer program at Westmont College in Santa Barbara. During my visits to the Westmont campus, I can honestly say that I have nothing but love for the coaching staff and current players who made me feel very welcomed from the moment I arrived. I really believe Westmont is a great fit for me to further my development both as a player and person. I really look forward to attending classes, playing soccer, and living in a beautiful place like Santa Barbara.

I want to especially thank Francois and Marcia Barbe for helping make this dream a reality. I also feel especially blessed to have a wonderful supportive family who’ve given me nothing but love over these last 17 years. A big special thanks to my Placer teammates for also helping bring out the best in me. Most of all I thank God for brining all these people into my life and helping me succeed in my goal to play college soccer. I’m really excited to finish this last season with Placer United and help build on our teams most recent successes before charging into the next stage of my life.

Go Placer and Go Warriors!” — Gonzalo Garcia

“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