RICHMOND, Va. (August 18, 2022) – After an extraordinary 2021-22 season that saw the ECNL Girls Regional League crown the inaugural ECNL Regional League Champions in Seattle, the league is excited to announce the first ever ECNL All-Regional League teams.

“These players have not only excelled as individuals in their performances on the field but have helped their teams qualify for the postseason championship events and the 2022 Regional League Finals in Seattle,” said ECNL Girls Commissioner Ralph Richards. “Congratulations to the players for their dedication, commitment, and years of hard work to earn this honor. We are excited to see what these fantastic young ladies will do in the future in the regional league, in college, and beyond.”

Honorees were selected by conference awards committees with technical representatives from every club in each of the 13 ECNL Girls Regional Leagues. A total of 20 players across all four age groups were selected from each league.

The following Placer United players made the All-Regional League Team for NorCal:

• Kiana Faucette
• Samantha Liaty
• Lucy Newlin
• Angela Shannon
• Stella Grace Tamayo

ECNL All-Regional League – NorCal – Click here for full team

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About the ECNL:
The ECNL is the nation’s leading youth soccer development platform. The ECNL respects and celebrates the unique individuality of every youth soccer player and club, supporting and enabling them to unleash their unfettered passion and fierce tenacity in striving to achieve their potential.

The ECNL mission to Raise the Game is a total commitment to create the best possible environment for players, coaches, referees and administrators, with a determination to constantly question convention and challenge the status quo in youth sports.

The ECNL Commitment:
We will lead, set our eyes on new horizons, and pursue them relentlessly. Born out of the belief in a better way. Continued in the ever-evolving pursuit of excellence.

 

Thursday, February 10, 2022
by LAFC Communications

LAFC today announced the Club has acquired defender Ryan Hollingshead from FC Dallas in exchange for defender Marco Farfan.

Hollingshead, 30, joins LAFC after spending the past eight seasons with FC Dallas, where he made 193 regular season appearances in 149 starts. A veteran defender, Hollingshead has scored a total of 18 regular season goals and added 15 assists in 13,433 MLS minutes. The California native has made 11 MLS Cup Playoff appearances and played six times in the Concacaf Champions League.

“Ryan is known not only known as one of the most versatile and valuable players in MLS but also as a great person and leader,” LAFC Co-President & General Manager John Thorrington said. “For these reasons, we are incredibly excited to welcome Ryan, his wife Taylor, and their family to LAFC. We also appreciate what Marco has meant to the club during his time here, which makes the moment bittersweet for us. He is a class act both on and off the field and we wish him all the best in Dallas.”

The 2017 MLS Works Humanitarian of the Year, Hollingshead was originally drafted by FC Dallas in the second round of the 2013 MLS Super Draft and made his MLS and professional debut vs. San Jose on May 31, 2014.

In 2016, Hollingshead made 29 regular season appearances (22 starts) and helped Dallas earn the 2016 Supporter’s Shield and a Western Conference Championship, as well as the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup title.

A native of Granite Bay, CA, Hollingshead starred at UCLA from 2009-2012, where he made 69 starts and 81 appearances, scoring 16 goals and recording 21 assists. With the Bruins he was named NSCAA Second-Team All American Selection, Pac-12 Player of the Year and First-team All-Pac 12 Selection, while also earning First-team Pac-12 All-Academic honors.

Farfan leaves LAFC after one season in which he played in 29 matches (21 starts), tallying over 1,754 minutes in 2021.

VITALS

Name: Ryan Hollingshead
Position: Defender
Born: 4/16/1991
Age: 30
Height: 6-2
Weight: 185
Birthplace: Granite Bay, Ca
Citizenship: USA
Last Club: FC Dallas

 

 

The Placer United 2007 Girls NPL1 team had a huge showing in the Prestigious San Diego Surf Cup Tournament this past weekend. Competing in Super Black division (second bracket), the team won the group with three wins going 3-0 and earning a birth to the semifinals. Beating impressive teams like Pateadores Academy, Rebels ECNL and Crossfire United ECNL, the girls battled in the semifinals but fell short 1-0 in the final few minutes to ISC Gunners GA. The Gunners would win the final 3-0. The girls came so close. What an impressive showing in an elite tournament in a very high and difficult bracket. Congrats to Todd DeCarlo and the entire Placer United 07 girls team!

Manteca/Ripon Bulletin
by: Jonamar Jacinto
Published: May 18, 2021

Ripon High senior Ariana Scholten fantasized about her future as she participated in a soccer camp at the scenic campus of University of San Diego during her sophomore year.

“Well, if you’ve ever seen the campus it’s gorgeous,” she said. “I thought, ‘I’d like to play here one day.’”

She’ll soon get the chance.

The Indians’ attacking midfielder/forward has signed with the Toreros of the West Coast Conference, where she is sure to see some top NCAA Division I competition including national power Santa Clara. Although her role is not yet set in stone, Scholten envisions herself as a striker. Fourth-year coach Louise Lieberman could use a player with a nose for the goal after USD scored just three goals while finishing 1-7-1 this past season.

Scholten looks forward to working for a coach who has served as an assistant for the U.S. Soccer Under-23 women’s team and UCLA. San Diego won eight games in each of its first three seasons under Lieberman.

Scholten hasn’t had a chance to visit the campus since that camp two years ago, but it wasn’t necessary to convince her to commit.

“It’s a beautiful school, but the one thing that really attracted me the most was Lou and her coaching staff,” she said. “They’re very supportive people. They obviously want good soccer players but they look for people first. They want you to bring light to their squad and leave the school as a better player and as a better person.

“They really care about your school, your values and your soccer life. I really appreciate that about them.”

Her plan is to major in pre-health science and further her studies in occupational or physical therapy. She’ll also minor in marine biology.

Since college coaches have been unable to scout prospects in person, Scholten worked with her club coach, Ron Benjamin of Placer United, to film training videos and send them out.

“Coach Lou reached out to me and said, ‘I’d like to talk to you about a future at San Diego,’” Scholten said. “At the time I was talking to another college but I was real happy when the opportunity with USD came up because that had been my dream school since my sophomore year.”

San Diego gets a proven winner at the club and high school levels in Scholten, who tallied 54 goals and 60 assists in her first three years at Ripon. A three-time All-Trans-Valley League selection, she led the Indians to two Sac-Joaquin Section Division V championships, two league titles and their first California Interscholastic Federation NorCal Regional final.

Scholten proved herself to be deadly on set pieces and in the run of play with powerful and laser-accurate striking on either foot. Her junior year, she focused on playmaking and racked up a team-high 26 assists.

This season, Ripon is playing an abbreviated schedule in the competitive Valley Oak League because of the coronavirus pandemic. With no postseason or league titles on the line, Scholten is glad to just have fun with her friends on the pitch.

“It’s nice to take a break from all the seriousness of comp and just enjoy yourself on the field while continuing to work on little things and perfect my play before I go to college,” Scholten said.

 

Major League Soccer (MLS) – San Jose Earthquakes News Release
May 16, 2021

SAN JOSE, Calif. – The San Jose Earthquakes fell to the Portland Timbers 2-0 on Saturday night at PayPal Park. The match saw the MLS debut of Quakes forward Benji Kikanovic and the season debut of Quakes midfielder Jack Skahan.

Portland took the lead in the fifth minute when Eryk Williamson sent a through ball to Yimmi Chara, who would chip the ball up and over an onrushing JT Marcinkowski.

San Jose would come close to the equalizer in the second half when a penalty was given to the Quakes in the 61st minute, but Chris Wondolowski’s low shot was saved by the outstretched arms of goalkeeper Logan Ketterer. Portland later doubled their lead in the 74th minute when Williamson’s cross to Marvin Loria was headed home.

The Earthquakes will now prepare to play their third and final match of a three-game homestand next Saturday, May 22 vs. Sporting Kansas City, presented by Coca-Cola. The match kicks off from PayPal Park at 7:00 p.m. and will be broadcast live on NBC Sports Bay Area, KNBR 1050 and 1370 KZSF.

GAME NOTES

The Earthquakes now hold a 3-3-0 record (9 pts.) during the 2021 MLS regular season and are currently in fourth place in the Western Conference.

San Jose earned 12 corner kicks, their most in a single match since July 15, 2020 (22).

The Quakes took 20 shots, their most in a single match since July 15, 2020 (30).

San Jose committed just five fouls, their fewest in a match since Sept. 25, 2019 (5).

Forward Benji Kikanovic made his MLS debut, entering as a substitute in the 63rd minute.

Midfielder Jack Skahan made his first appearance of the season and second of his MLS career, entering as a substitute in the 66th minute.

MLS Regular Season

San Jose Earthquakes 0 – 2 Portland Timbers

May 15, 2021 – PayPal Park in San Jose, Calif.

Scoring Summary: POR – Yimmi Chara (Eryk Williamson) 5; POR – Marvin Loria (Eryk Williamson, Felipe Mora) 74.

Misconduct Summary: POR – Bill Tuiloma (caution) 25; POR – Dario Zuparic (caution) 42; SJ – Chris Wondolowski (caution) 45+3.

SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES: JT Marcinkowski; Paul Marie (Shea Salinas 58), Oswaldo Alanis, Florian Jungwirth (Chris Wondolowski 58), Luciano Abecasis; Carlos Fierro, Eric Remedi, Jackson Yueill; Carlos Fierro (Benji Kikanovic 63), Cristian Espinoza (Chofis 58), Andres Rios (Jack Skahan 66); Cade Cowell.

Substitutes not used: Tanner Beason, Judson, Tommy Thompson, Daniel Vega.

SHOTS: 20; SHOTS ON GOAL: 4; FOULS: 5; CORNER KICKS: 12.

PORTLAND TIMBERS: Logan Ketterer; Claudio Bravo, Dario Zuparic, Bill Tuiloma, Pablo Bonilla (Josecarlos Van Rankin 82); Andy Polo (Renzo Zambrano 72), Eryk Williamson, Yimmi Chara, Marvin Loria (Zachery McGraw 82); Felipe Mora (Diego Valeri 82), Jeremy Ebobisse (Dairon Asprilla 69).

Substitutes not used: Blake Bodily, Hunter Sulte.

SHOTS: 18, SHOTS ON GOAL: 5; FOULS: 10; CORNER KICKS: 5.

SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES HEAD COACH MATIAS ALMEYDA

On improving the team’s offense:

“I think football is simple. If you score goals and they don’t, you win. If you concede and they don’t, you lose. Today’s match was similar to our previous match. We were able to create opportunities from headers, a penalty and rebounds we could not get to. The opponents had created two dangerous chances and they converted, and we cannot afford mistakes against these teams. We will keep working to capitalize on the chances we are getting.”

On giving minutes to younger players:

“It brings me pleasure to allow young players to make their debut. It’s not easy to come on in these types of games. Sometimes because of nerves and trying to be perfect, not everything goes right. This is the team we have, with many young players. The day they all have 40 appearances in the first division, and they remain in this league, with this system and style of play, we will become more competitive.”

On the team’s approach to penalty kicks:

“We practice them. I think if anyone had to be selected to take penalties, it would be the league and this club’s all-time leader in goals. The penalty was well taken. The goalkeeper stretched his arm and got to the post. I won’t just take away this penalty, I will take away the chances we created. Apart from the penalty, we were missing the finishing touches.”

SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES MIDFIELDER CRISTIAN ESPINOZA

On the team’s finishing:

“We need to be more attentive in the final stretch where we really need to make a difference. The goals result from our ability to finish them. We have been great in that sense but in our last two matches, we were unlucky in our finishing. Other times, we cannot capitalize because of the virtues in the opponent. We will keep working and move forward. We have important upcoming matches and now is not the time to give up.”

On creating more dangerous chances:

“I think today’s match was difficult for everyone, especially the attackers. The opponent just waited in their area, defended throughout the entire match and created counterattacks, and that is how they scored. Personally, I don’t feel that neither my teammates nor I performed badly. When you face an opponent with practically 11 players in their own half, it becomes difficult to find space. We have to find a way to generate attacking plays. In this match, the opponent stayed in their area and waited for our mistakes to launch a counter.”

 

At peace on the pitch: Nevada Union alumna Cayce Shaw balances pursuit of Ph.D. with new soccer opportunity

The Union
Sports | May 7, 2021
by Walter Ford  

When Cayce Shaw is playing soccer, everything else in her life fades into the background.

“I love playing,” said Shaw. “It’s something that when I step on the field, everything else goes away.”

For Shaw, a 2015 Nevada Union graduate, soccer is a sport she has dedicated herself to since she was a child. And, through the years, soccer has reciprocated with life lessons, opportunities and mental tranquility.

Shaw, 24, first started playing soccer when she was in second grade. At first it was just a fun way to spend time with her friends. She soon discovered she had a knack for the game and joined a club team, the Placer United. At the high school level, the talented footballer was a four-year varsity player for the Miners. She was a team captain in her junior and senior seasons, and was named to the All-Sierra Foothill League team twice.

“I just really grew to love it and wanted to pursue it in college,” she said. “Having leadership roles and being around such a good community really inspired my passion to keep playing.”

Shaw’s prowess on the pitch, as well as the classroom, landed her at the University of California, Santa Cruz, where she majored in bio chemistry and played four years on the women’s soccer team.

“It was a really good fit academically and athletically,” she said.

Shaw played center-forward for the Banana Slugs, and across her four years with the team she started 56 games, scored 18 goals and had eight assists. During her senior season, she led the team with eight goals and was named the 2018 Offensive Player of the Year  among Division III independent teams. The Banana Slugs reached the NCAA Division III playoffs in three of the four years Shaw was on the team.

ACADEMIA

After her time at UC Santa Cruz concluded, Shaw made the move to San Francisco to pursue a Ph.D. in neuroscience at the University of California, San Francisco. Shaw’s studies focus on Alzheimer’s disease, and more specifically the differences between how males and females are affected by the disease.

“I love teaching and would love to be in academia,” Shaw said of her career pursuits. “Hopefully, be a professor and do my own research. Have some kind of research lab and also teach courses.”

Shaw said she truly enjoys the work she’s doing at UC San Francisco, but it does come with its fair share of stress.

“I thought that I was done with soccer once I graduated (UC Santa Cruz), but I started grad school and was feeling a lot of pressure and needed a way to try and help me cope,” Shaw said. “I found this group, the Nighthawks, which is a bunch of former college players. It’s a really good community of other people in the city I can play soccer with, and I’ve found that it’s a really healthy way to manage my stress.”

Shaw signed with the San Francisco Nighthawks Women’s Soccer Club in January 2020, but COVID-19 forced the season to be canceled. The club plans to be back on the pitch for the 2021 summer season, though, and Shaw is looking forward to competing once again.

“I feel so lucky that I was able to find this group in San Francisco,” Shaw said. “When I finished in college I felt like something was missing in my life. It was such a big part of my identity. … So I feel pretty lucky that I found the Nighthawks and was able to make the team and get signed (to the roster).”

At its highest level, the Nighthawks compete in the Women’s Premier Soccer League, which is the second tier of women’s professional soccer in the United States and Canada. The club also has teams that compete in the Golden Gate Women’s Soccer League. Shaw is currently listed as a member of the club’s GGWSL First Division team.

As for handling the rigors of her academic pursuits while playing soccer at a high level, Shaw said it’s made easier when you love what you do.

“Finding something that brings you a lot of joy is helpful,” she said. “Whether it’s your career or the sport that you’re playing, it shouldn’t ever feel like it’s a task. I genuinely love the academics that I’m doing as well as playing soccer, so I feel like that joy has made me want to put in the extra hours.”

The summer season for the Nighthawks is set to start May 29, said Shaw.

“I’m excited for summer to really prove myself,” she said. “And, hopefully, get more time on the field.”

February 16, 2021
SJEarthquakes.com

SAN JOSE, Calif. –  The San Jose Earthquakes have signed forward Benji Kikanovic to a one-year contract with club options through the 2024 season.

“Benji has been on our radar for several years and we’re happy he’ll be joining the first team,” said Earthquakes general manager Jesse Fioranelli. “He is a player that we thought very highly of in college and we were impressed by his transition to the professional game last year. We’ll create an individualized program for him and believe in his future in MLS.”

Kikanovic, 21, spent the 2020 season with the Quakes’ former USL Championship affiliate Reno 1868 FC, scoring two goals in 13 appearances.

Prior to joining Reno, Kikanovic competed for Sacramento State University for two seasons. He appeared in 34 of the team’s 35 matches from 2018 to 2019, making 33 starts and tallying nine goals and five assists. As a freshman in 2018, Kikanovic led the team in goals (5), game-winning goals (2) and assists (4), earning Big West Co-Freshman of the Year and Second Team All-Big West Conference accolades. He was the only freshman in the Big West Conference to earn First or Second Team recognition that season. The following year, he tallied four goals and an assist to earn his second consecutive Second Team All-Big West Conference honor.

Kikanovic, a former youth player at Placer United Soccer Club, also spent time with NPSL side Sacramento Gold FC in 2019.

Alumni Spotlight – Kirsten Robinson ’19 (Women’s Soccer)
February 16, 2021

CHICAGO–Kirsten Robinson ’19 was a four-year member (2015-18) of the Illinois Institute of Technology women’s soccer program as a midfielder/forward. The civil/environmental engineering major from Newcastle, California registered nine goals and 15 assists for 33 points over 77 career games. Her 164 career shot attempts ranks fifth in the Scarlet Hawks’ modern-day record book, while her 15 career assists stands at No. 9. Robinson’s senior season ended with a spot on the 2018 All-NACC Second Team. She also landed a spot on the 2017 All-Association of Division III Independents First Team, after she secured 2016 All-AD3I Third Team honors.

What is your favorite memory about your time as a Scarlet Hawk, on or off the playing surface?: My favorite memory is my senior night game, not just for the additional attention, but because we played a rather challenging opponent; by winning in overtime, we solidified our spot in the league’s championship. We were not only making program history, we were battling together as a team with so much love and support from the stands. A night to remember.

What are you most proud of from your time as a Scarlet Hawk?: As a growing program, I am proud to have been a part of many firsts for the women’s soccer program. This includes transitioning to NCAA Division III and reaching the league championships.

What advice would you give to your college self or current Scarlet Hawks?: Really work hard and cherish every bruise and every day you get to play the sport you love. You’re not only going to miss it, but you’re really going to kick yourself if you don’t take full advantage of the relationships, growth and memories you’ll gain from the experience.

Where do you currently live and what do you do for a career?: I currently live in the heart of San Francisco, California working for an engineering design firm. As a building energy analysis and modeling consultant, I aid building design through a variety of sustainable practices like LEED certification and renewable energy design.

How did your collegiate career prepare you for life after college?: Collegiate sports are as much about mental aptitude as they are about physical prowess. I learned about confidence, compromise, communication and a multitude of other life skills through interacting with peers, officials and coaches.

What personal or professional accomplishments are you most proud of since you graduated from Illinois Tech?: Since graduating, I’ve traveled, I’ve moved back across the country, and I’ve adopted a dog, all have been big adventures. Professionally, I became LEED AP accredited and am proud to be halfway through my second year with a great company.

How are you still involved with your sport?: It’s been a real joy playing in small leagues and pick-up games now that I’ve “retired.” I hope to coach youth again someday, or even practice with a semipro team again, but I am enjoying being able to play freely with friends and colleagues. As always, it’s a great way to meet and bond with people!

What attribute from your time as a student-athlete has helped you in your professional career the most?: Sociability is a huge thing in life and it’s a big benefit in the professional world. That plus an understanding of balancing teamwork and individual responsibility have had a great impact in my career thus far.

 

From Placer to Portugal: How a Two Hour Drive Turned Into a Pro-Contract

by Lily Dubuc

It’s been a tough year for everyone, including women’s soccer around the world. I feel fortunate to live in Portugal, playing professionally with Racing Power F.C.

Six years ago, my week looked like this:

• Wake up at 6:00 a.m.
• Go to school
• Take a nap in my car
• Drive two hours down to soccer training with Placer United
• Drive two hours home
• Shower
• Fall into bed just before midnight
• Repeat 3-5 times a week as needed

It was one of the happiest times of my life.

Placer United is synonymous with family for me. I was lucky enough to train with multiple coaches on both the girls’ and boys’ sides of the club. It was where I grew as a player and person and made friendships that have lasted a lifetime. It’s also where I learned the value of grit, playing for the good of the team, and the tactical side of the beautiful game. It’s where I gained the experience to play every position on the pitch and live up to my coaches’ and teammates’ high standards. Every day I still try to make Placer United proud of me as a person and player.

Playing for Placer led to playing for Dominican University in California. After four seasons, some better than others, I left for the final semester of my undergrad degree at the University of Oxford. I received multiple player of the week accolades, conference awards, and a new left ankle.

After arriving in Oxford, I joined the University team and instantly felt at home. Thanks to Placer United’s soccer foundation, I transitioned from being a winger to a defensive center midfielder. I found myself surrounded by the love of the game in England with brilliant teammates. It felt like a great end to a successful collegiate career.

Fast forward to the real world, where I gave my best at being a proper adult by moving to Boston and getting a full-time job while also joining four amateur teams in the area. Then COVID-19 hit, and I knew that I needed soccer to be the center of my world again.

While I waited for the vaccine for COVID-19 to come, I moved back to Oxford, where I was lucky enough to play for Oxford City F.C. and coach at the University of Oxford. A second national lockdown and an expiring visa sent me back home to the Tahoe area.

Once the January transfer window opened up, I was lucky to have Racing Power F.C. watch my highlight video and reach out via my agent at R.A.C. One week later and I was packing my bags to move to Portugal for my first professional contract.

From driving two hours each way for Placer to flying to Portugal, I am fortunate to be able to continue to play the game I love, even in a pandemic. I’d like to thank my parents, sister, uncle, and the Rohlf family for driving with me all those years for training. Playing with the Dominican Athletic team, Blues, and Catz football at the University of Oxford reminds me how much I love this game. I sincerely appreciate Oxford City F.C., R.A.C. agency, Racing Power F.C., and Placer United. Without the support of all the Placer United coaches, staff, and teammates throughout the years, I never would have had this opportunity. I’ll always be proud to have played for Placer United.