
Melissa Stoakley
“I am very excited to announce that I have verbally committed to Dominican University of California! After careful consideration I am confident with my decision and know that it is the right fit for me academically and athletically. It is funny to reflect back to fourteen years ago when I was that player who sat in the middle of the field and cried after scoring her first goal, and now here I am taking my first steps toward being a collegiate women’s soccer player for a Division 2 school. Without the support from coaches, teammates, and family I would not be the player I am today.
I would like to thank Jimmy Frazelle who brought me into the competitive soccer world at 10 years old and showed me what it meant to be passionate about the game of soccer. Ron Benjamin has also supplied me with the materials I needed to get connected with college coaches and has been a huge supporter over the last four years. Additionally, I’d like to extend a huge thank you to my current coach, Crystal Chaidez, who I am truly grateful to play for and have built a personal relationship with over the last two years. As a coach and a former college soccer player, Crystal saw the potential I had to play in college that I never saw in myself and developed the confidence I needed to bring me to the next level. She has helped me grow as a player, a leader, and a person and that is something I will be forever grateful.
I have been fortunate enough to have 16 sisters (give or take a few) that have always been there to support me through the good and the bad times- my teammates. No matter where life takes us on our own individual journeys, I will forever cherish the memories I have made with these girls here at Placer United.
The biggest thank you I have is to the people who have and always will be my biggest fans, my family. Without their sacrifices none of this would have happened. They have turned my dream into a reality, and I can’t wait to make them proud over the next four years!
Thank you all and Go Penguins!”
—Melissa Stoakley