Maggie Bell

“I am super excited to announce that I officially verbally committed to UC Berkeley. I have grown up going to Cal football games my entire life so this really is a dream come true. For me, Berkeley has the whole package; allowing me to receive an amazing education as well as play soccer in the Pac-12 conference. I am beyond excited to get the opportunity to play under Coach Neil McGuire and the rest of his staff at Cal and work to take my game to the next level. I would like to thank my family for continually supporting me through my entire youth soccer career and especially my parents for driving me to countless games and tournaments over the years. Thank you to my teammates for brightening my day every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and constantly making practice the best part of my day.  I would also like to thank all my coaches at Placer beginning at U-9s with James Boyle for starting off my crazy Placer experience, Lee Callow for showing me the fun of the game. To John Chimienti for helping me develop my skills and get me on track to become the player I am today. To Bart Morefield for really improving my tactical awareness on the field. To Ron Benjamin for helping me throughout my entire experience here at Placer. And lastly my coach of the last 2 years, Todd Decarlo for striving to help me become the best player I can be and helping me with my college decision. Placer really has been an amazing club that I am honored to have played for and represent out on the field. I can’t wait to finish out my last two years with my team wearing Black and Gold. Go bears!” — Maggie Bell

“It is a privilege to sign for the Academy of Art University and to become a part of the soccer team next year. It’s location in the middle of San Francisco makes me so excited, as it is one of the most diverse, interesting cities in the world. I hope to pursue a degree in advertising, a subject that the school specializes in. I am thrilled to not only be a student at this terrific university, but an athlete as well. I have something to thank all my coaches for throughout my life, whether it be technical or mental, they have been extremely influential. However, I owe the majority of my success to my mum, for the time she has put in to keeping me in check and allowing me to be successful. Go Knights!” —Alex Walsh

Kayleen Cendana

“I am honored to be committing to Sonoma State University and their soccer program. Last year, I attended a Seawolves camp and knew it was a school I wanted to attend. With encouragement from my family and after visiting many other colleges in and out of state, it has become clear that I belong playing for Sonoma State. I am excited to play for Head Coach Emiria Salzmann Dunn and assistant coaches Crystal Howard Chaidez, Mark Dunn and Katie Turtle when I officially join the team in 2016. I will be studying Kinesiology in hopes of pursuing a career in athletic training or sports psychology after graduate school.

Thank you to my Placer United coaches: John Chimienti for first selecting me to play U11 at Placer, Bart Morefield for helping me realize my true potential,  Todd DeCarlo for dedicating so many hours to making me a better player and assisting with my recruiting process . Thanks as well to Director of Coaching and my Varsity Coach at Del Oro High School, Ron Benjamin. Ron truly goes above and beyond for Placer and his players and for that I am grateful. I look forward to two more amazing years with my teammates and best friends. They always push me to be my best and I am grateful to call them family. Finally, I cannot say “Thank you” enough to my parents and sister for supporting my love of the game and always being there. God is good!”

"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