Jesse McGinley

“I have recently verbally committed to the University of North Carolina Greensboro. I have always wanted to go to college some where in North Carolina, so I’m very excited that I get the chance to play soccer and live my dream of going to school there. When I went on my visit, I instantly fell in love with the school. I know that sounds cliché but it’s so true; every quality I wanted my “dream school” to have, Greensboro had it. I loved the team, the coaches, the campus, and it has a really good program for what I want to study in the future, which is kinesiology, so everything was very ideal.

Before my visit, Tracy Noonan, who has helped me with everything, especially my college search, said this quote to me: “Whenever possible, try to be in the place that makes you feel there’s no other place you’d rather be.” And UNCG is that place for me. So I’m VERY excited to go there. The soccer program is very competitive and it will allow me to grow as a player, and help me achieve the goals I want to accomplish.

First of all, I want to thank my parents because they have supported me in everything and have always been there for me. Thank you Ron Benjamin for helping me get to where I am now and pushing me to be the player I am today. Thank you Leo Marin for EVERYTHING you have done for me, such as coming before and staying after the regular practice to train me. I really appreciate everything you’ve done for me! Along with my Placer coaches and my parents, I want to thank Tracy Noonan, who has been an amazing coach and so helpful to me through everything, whether it is a college coach’s number or advice on goalkeeping she has been there to help me. I wouldn’t be where I am today without any of you and I can’t thank you enough!

Go Spartans!

Shea Glaspey

“I have recently verbally committed to the University of North Carolina, Greensboro. This school gives me the opportunity to play Division 1 soccer and it offers a Pre-Physical Therapy program. The school has a beautiful campus in the middle of Greensboro, North Carolina.

To achieve the level of collegiate soccer required dedication, highly skilled trainers/coaches, and support from my family and the many members of my soccer family. As the oldest of eight children, I want to be the older sister that my siblings can look up to and aspire to follow in my well intentioned footsteps, as I head toward my future goals.

At UNCG, I will be able to continue growing as a soccer player. In my next four years I look forward to playing soccer at a level that I have strived to achieve my whole life.

I want to give a personal thank you to Ron Benjamin for all the work he has put in, on and off, the field.”

In Miranda’s own words…

I am very excited for the opportunity to play soccer at Brigham Young University. When I first started with Placer United at 8-years old, it was my dream to play for BYU. After I received the offer from the head coach to play for them, my dream came true! BYU is an amazing college with an excellent soccer program. I am looking forward to playing some of the best teams in the nation. I would like to thank all my coaches at Placer: Jason for his love of the game, Gene for the motivational talks, Bart for the skill training, and especially, Ron, for taking me to the next level. I am so happy right now and can’t wait to continue playing soccer in college. GO COUGARS!

In Kayla’s Own Words…

Playing competitive soccer allowed me to visit many universities across the country. I am thankful to the college coaches who took the time to meet with me as I considered my options. Throughout the process, soccer aside, my #1 choice remained the same, and I knew I would have to work hard academically to get there.

On December 10, it arrived…a Stanford University acceptance! I’ve been to the campus many times and I love the school spirit, the mix of academics and athletics, and especially the desire to learn and excel.

I am looking forward to beginning my journey as a Cardinal at Stanford University where I will major in engineering with a focus on energy resources or environmental science. While I’m not going to Stanford as a soccer recruit, I’m proud to say that I earned my acceptance based on my academic merit. Thanks to everyone who believed in me and supported my efforts along the way!

Kayla Karlsson, a 2012 graduate of the U17 Placer United ’94 Gold Team, recently committed to the University of Cincinnati. Kayla chose U.C. because of the wonderful coaching staff, the amazing athletic facilities, beautiful campus, and the opportunity to play in a very competitive Division 1 Conference. U.C. plays in the Big East Conference and plays against teams like Norte Dame, Georgetown, and West Virgina. Kayla has been playing for Placer United since she was nine years old. She would like to thank all her terrific coaches, including: Ron Benjamin, Gene DuChateau, Jason Gantt, and Chris Alcala. She would also like to thank her family and friends for all their support.

In Jessica’s own words…

“I chose to accept a scholarship to Notre Dame de Namur University in Belmont, CA. I recently went on a visit and I absolutely fell in love with the campus. I was able to meet some of the players and they all had great things to say about both the school and the soccer program. This school is a great fit for me because I want to play at a Division II school with Kinesiology being one of the top majors and a strong soccer program. I am really excited for this oppourtunity and I couldnt have done it without the help from Placer United and of course my family.”

In Kellyn’s Own Words…

I recently committed to attending and playing soccer at the University of Nevada, Reno. I went for a visit in mid-January and I loved the campus. The facilities were amazing as was the coach and the handful of players I met.

The reason I chose this university are because they have a highly ranked engineering program, it’s in a great location, and their highly competitive soccer program. I feel that I can make an impact on the team and improve myself as a well rounded player.

I’ve had great coaches while playing for Placer United. Gene and Ron have helped me prepare for the next level and they always push me to improve my game. Thank

you to my coaches, my awesome teammates, and to the Placer club. I also want to thank my parents and God because they got me to where I am today.

I’m really excited to be attending UNR in the fall of 2011. I know I will have many great experiences that I can look back upon for the rest of my life. I will continue to work hard and utilize the gifts I’ve been given. I feel so blessed to have this opportunity and thank you to everyone who has given me support.

Grant Silvester

“I decided to attend the University of Virginia because it has the best of both worlds – an excellent school and soccer program. I wanted to compete at the highest collegiate level. I’m excited to have the opportunity to play in the ACC for the national champions.

I’ve had great coaches and teammates at Placer United and CDA, and under the Academy program, they have enabled me to take my game to the next level. The Academy has allowed us to compete against the best players around the country. The level of play is consistently high, and this competition forces every player to get better. CDA players are seen by hundreds of college coaches at Academy Showcase events. My coaches were instrumental in helping me communicate with college coaches throughout the recruiting process.

I would like to thank my teammates, all coaches and staff at Placer United and CDA, for all their help. I’ll do my best to represent CDA at UVA.”

—Grant Silvester

Daylon Schiffel

“I recently committed to the University of Central Arkansas. I was on my second visit in October, while it was my parent’s first. The coaches saw me play at the Spring Academy Showcase in Florida in May 2010 and in Surf Cup in San Diego in August 2010. To be honest, I had never heard of UCA before then, but after flying out to Arkansas and visiting the campus I could see myself living there happily for the next four years. Being born and raised in California, I thought it would be a good experience to live somewhere else for a while; that along with a full ride scholarship and a starting spot as a freshman is what UCA offered. I accepted and am completely satisfied and happy with my decision to commit to UCA. This accomplishment is all thanks to God first of all, my parents, and all my coaches at Placer United and CDA which I have been a part of since U10.

GO BEARS!”

—Daylon Schiffel

In Lexi’s own words

“I have committed to Lesley College, a small, DIII private school in Cambridge, MA. I chose Lesley because the classes are small and interactive, but it’s also in a big city full of nearby colleges. They have an excellent soccer program as well as an outstanding arts program at the Art Institute of Boston. Everyone in my family has attended nearby colleges and being the youngest, I wanted to make a new path for myself. Attending college, and playing soccer on the other side of the country, really sparked my interest and after visiting the campus I knew that Lesley is the perfect fit for me. I would not have been given this opportunity if it weren’t for the help and support of Ron and my teammates at Placer United.”