"I am very proud and honored to announce that I have verbally committed to the University of Nevada, Reno. I am looking forward to studying courses in preparation towards a Pharmaceutical degree, and playing soccer at the Division 1 collegiate level. After visiting the campus and spending time with the coaches and players, I realized that UNR is the perfect place for me to continue my studies. I would like to thank coaches Melissa Price, Kirk Nelson and Casey Tate for seeing something in me and  giving me the opportunity to be part of the Wolfpack and play for a great program. 

Although this is my first and last year at Placer United, I feel like I am a part of more than just a club, it’s a family unit that I will treasure forever. Thank you to my teammates for welcoming me to the Placer family and being the most dedicated, kind-hearted, and hard-working group of girls. I am so thankful to have such a great team and coach. I would like to also thank my new coach Ron Benjamin for always believing in me and working so hard for not only myself but for my teammates. He is always pushing us past the barriers and I’m very honored to be on his team.

Thank you to my past coaches Mike Smith for teaching me to be a tough and disciplined player, George & Traya Vallas for teaching me to be a smart and technical player, Mark Bowman & Matt Felt for making my high school soccer experience rewarding and memorable!  Lastly, I would like to thank Dominick DeRosa and my former Striker teammates for always seeing more in me and pushing me to become a player that I never thought I could become.

I also want to thank God foremost for without him I would not have been able to achieve what I set out to do. I would also like to thank my parents for always supporting my siblings and I. I’m so grateful for all their hard work and sacrifice to get me where I am today. Thank you to my siblings Royce, Natasha and Zaessja. They have been by my side through thick and thin, they are my role models and I’m so lucky to call them my best friends.

I can’t wait to start a new chapter in my life at the University of Nevada, Reno. I know my future is bright because I have God by my side. I wish all my teammates, past and present, bright futures and pomaika’i!  A Hui Hou!"

—Mei-Li Madamba

Matt Tarr

“I am very excited to announce I have committed to California State University, Chico, to play soccer and plan to enroll in their Mechatronic Engineering program. I am looking forward to working with Coach Felipe and taking my game to the next level.  I have had an amazing ride at Placer United, having played here since I was 8 years old. I’ve had ups and downs through all those years but having the opportunity to play in college has made it all worth it. I would like to thank three very important people in my life that have known me since I was a young child and have seen me grow into the young adult I am today. They have all helped me become a better soccer player and always pushed me to do better. Thank you to Paul O’Brien, Jason Gantt, and Kelcey Chaidez. You are all great coaches and I wouldn’t have made it where I am without your help.  I would also like to thank Matt McDougall.  Even though he only became my coach this year, he has played a large role in helping me through the college process.

Last, the biggest thanks go to my wonderful parents. Thank you mom and dad for your selfless love and the thousands of hours and dollars you have invested in me. I know that all you wanted was for me to be happy and play the game I love; getting to play college soccer is just the cherry on top.

Thank you to everybody who has helped me along this journey and if I forgot you I’m sorry, but you know who you are 🙂

Go Placer United and Go Wildcats!” — Matt Tarr

Dali Alarian

“I am extremely excited to announce that I have verbally committed to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute! It is my dream school and has everything I want in a college and more. What really sold me on the school is that they are ranked as the fourth best engineering school in the world, and I am extremely passionate about becoming a biomedical engineer! When I found out that I would also be able to pursue my love for soccer there, I knew Rensselaer was where I wanted to go. I would like to thank my family for always being supportive of me and also my past coaches for helping me become the player I am today. I would especially like to thank Coach Ron Benjamin because without him, I would have never imagined even playing soccer in college. Also, a big thanks to Coach Paul O’Brien for helping me step up my game by practicing with his boys’ team. And last but not least, thank you to all my teammates, past and present, for pushing me to become a better player.” —Dali Alarian

Makenzie Brito

“I am super excited to announce that I have verbally committed to UC San Diego. I can’t wait to continue my studies there and take part in such a great and successful soccer program! I am so beyond grateful to Coach Brian McManus for seeing all my hard work on and off the field and allowing me to bring what I have to offer to his team. I would like to thank my Mom and Step Dad, along with the rest of my family, for truly making my soccer career possible and always being my support system; I wouldn’t be where I’m at today without them. Also, I want to thank all my coaches, starting from the beginning with my recreation soccer coach, Jason Hartford, for igniting my passion for soccer; and Joe Black and Nathan Williams for always pushing me and teaching me so much about the game. Most importantly, thank you to my coach for the past three years, Ron Benjamin. Words cannot express my gratitude for everything he has done for me on and off the field. He has always believed in me and challenged me to be the best player and person I can be and I truly can’t thank him enough. Finally, I would like to thank my teammates, past and present – you guys have been amazing and I am so proud to have been able to play with all of you! Go Tritons!”

— Makenzie Brito

“I am absolutely thrilled to announce that I have verbally committed to play for Dominican University. I am very excited to study communications there and be part of Phillip Billeci-Ga​rd’s amazing program.

I would like to thank my parents for driving me the millions of miles to practice and games every week. They have sacrificed so much time for me and I will always be thankful.  Also huge thanks to my sister for dealing with my soccer obsession for our entire childhood. I know it has been tough and annoying, so thank you for everything. I love you.  

Thank you to the Rohlf family for making every drive down to practice the best part of my day. I do not know what I would do without the support and friendship you guys have given me. Thank you Jenna and Ethan for being my best friends and teammates for the last eight years.

Thanks to Fred Hsu for giving me the experience of a lifetime playing in Europe. To all my Swedish and Danish teammates, thank you for teaching me what it means to eat, sleep and breathe soccer.

I would like to express my gratitude to being a part of Placer United these past three years. Thank you to Todd DeCarlo, Paul O’Brien and all the other coaches I have had the pleasure of training with. You have all improved me as a player and a person. Special thanks to Ron Benjamin for believing in me and pushing me this hard. You are an amazing coach and my appreciation for you is endless. Without you I would not be on this amazing journey. 

Also, thank you to all of my teammates over the years for the laughter, competition and support. You are my family and I love you beyond words. I would like to give an extended thank you to all the boys who have let me train and compete with them over the years as well.  Without my teammates I would not be the player I am today and would not have this incredible experience ahead of me.

Finally, thank you to Dennis Belisle for making me fall in love with this beautiful game eight years ago.

Go Lady Penguins!

—Lily Dubuc

WJU Coach Robbie Handy and Mitch Pingree

“I am proud to announce I have committed to William Jessup University! I am beyond excited to play collegiate soccer! I chose WJU due to the small campus size and the opportunity to receive a private education where I can truly get to know my professors and classmates.

All of my appreciation goes out to my family, friends, and amazing coaches I have had throughout my soccer years. I would first like to thank Coach Jason Gantt. Thank you for pushing me every day to become the player you knew I could be. I have learned so much these past few years and I am very grateful for the opportunity I was given on your team. Your experience and dedication showed me how I needed to play to be able to compete at the next level. I would also like to thank my high school coaches, Matt Scammacca and Dave Shiro. I also can’t forget my LYSC coach of many years, Manny Fajardo, as well as my very first soccer coach, my Dad. Without your coaching and guidance in my younger years of the game I would not have the opportunities granted to me now. I would also like to thank my parents for driving hours upon hours each year and always supporting me. And a special thanks to my sister, Macie, for always supporting me and pushing me to do my best.

These few years at Placer United made me a stronger, smarter, and more competitive soccer player. I am thankful to all of the people that made my dream of playing college soccer possible. To my team, we went out with a bang and I wish you all the best of luck in the future.”

—Mitch Pingree

(l-r) Hunter Seman, Coach Jason Gantt, Austin Burrows

“I am honored to announce that I have committed to Macalester College, a NCAA Division III school in St. Paul, Minnesota. Macalester and Coach Gregg Olson offered me the opportunity to play at the collegiate level while studying at one of the top-ranked liberal arts colleges in the country to pursue my goal of becoming a physician. I can’t wait to join players from all over the country, as well as players from around the world, as we try to get Macalester back into the NCAA tournament for the twelfth time.  

Soccer has been part of my life since I was four years old. I am grateful to my Placer coaches, Jason Gantt and Kelcey Chaidez, for always expecting me to play at the highest level. I would also like to thank my first coach, Paul Devereux, as well as my family, for coming to all of the games and tournaments over the years. I couldn’t have done it without you!

I look forward to joining Coach Olson and my teammates this August for the 2013 season. Go Mac Scots!”

— Austin Burrows