San Diego Surf SC Standouts Prepare for College Soccer
National Letter of Intent (NLI) signing for Prospective Student-Athletes is exciting and the youth soccer players at San Diego Surf SC were well prepared for this moment — and for their road ahead.
The transition from youth soccer to a committed college player is a memorable moment. After all their hard work — plus the efforts of Surf SC’s dedicated coaches — these talented youth soccer players are rewarded. While their collegiate journey is just beginning, the treasured memories of being a successful Surf SC player will last a lifetime.
Youth Soccer News: San Diego Surf Soccer Club is an internationally respected and acclaimed youth soccer club. Known for preparing young players for U.S. Soccer National Team Pools, Surf SC ranks as one of America’s top clubs for player development. With Surf SC’s Abigail Dunbar (D), Tara McKeown (D), Arlie Jones (MF), Tara McKeown (D) and Marley Canales (MF) on the 2017 National Team Rosters, U.S. Soccer’s top coaches are evidently pleased with the youth club’s efforts. The 20 plus invitations to NT Camps awarded to Surf SC players in the last 12 months only reinforces the club’s preeminent and prestigious position in the landscape of youth soccer.
College is the #1 destination for most youth soccer players and earning a roster spot at a top college is a remarkable achievement. The final semester for high school seniors is underway as standout youth soccer players prepare to take their journey to the next level of their development — college soccer.
“Surf ECNL ’98s 100% are expected to move on to college to earn their degree,” says Gareth Tomlinson, Surf College Liaison Officer. “96% of which are expected to play college soccer.”
“I am incredibly proud of the graduating class of 2017- with hard work on and off the fields, these girls have earned millions of dollars of college scholarship. We wish them luck as they move on to the next level,” says Jeremy McDonald, President of Surf SC.
and we are so honored to have helped them earn be awarded a staggering
“As a club, we often only receive distinction for producing college level soccer players once a year. What gets lost in our developmental success is our emphasis on education,” says Tomlinson.
Being a successful collegiate student-athlete is not an either/or decision — its important to be both.
SoccerToday takes a look at San Diego Surf’s latest elite female soccer players preparing to make this step in their career and their goals for the future.
The graduating class of Surf SC players preparing to take their talents to the collegiate level have decided their destinations for the 2017/18 school year in recent weeks. The decisions ranged from Ivy League universities to local Division 1 schools in Southern California.
“Surf SC’s dedicated soccer coaches are dedicated to helping our players reach their dreams of playing soccer at the collegiate level,” says Josh Henderson, VP of Soccer Operations/Senior Director of Coaching for Surf SC. “It takes a great deal of skill and preparation to earn roster spots at top colleges and we are very proud of our players. We know they will do well playing collegiate soccer and look forward to them returning to visit with us and inspire our younger players.”
“Firstly, I couldn’t be happier for this graduating class. It’s a super group packed with college talent,” says Mark Spooner, USSDA Girls Director. “At Surf SC, the college path begins before every player has even thought about college. It takes place daily — as each player goes along their development pathway. It is our job — as coaches — to ensure that every player reaches their potential.”
“What is unique about Surf SC are the individualized development plans, the college liaison officer and the relationships each of our coaches have with college coaches,” says Spooner.
“Preparing for the next phase of your career is a process. For girls wanting to play at the highest level in college, it is important to prepare them for what it will be like to play on the collegiate level and what their college schedules will look like” says Pauly Dolinsky, Assistant Director of Coaching. “At Surf SC, we create a training environment that will challenge our players week in and week out while making sure they can manage their academics.”
Surf’s College Bound Players Speak Out:
What do Surf SC player think about their youth soccer club? Read what these graduating players say:
“Playing at Surf SC was the best decision I’ve ever made
because it helped me get recruited by colleges from all over the country, which has been a goal of mine since 8th grade,” said Savannah Madden, University of Texas.
“My goals for college are to be a freshmen starter and to perform at the highest of my intellectual ability to achieve good grades.”
“I chose Georgetown because I felt like it was the best fitting school for me to work hard in a competitive academic and athletic environment,” said Lauren Hess, Georgetown University.
“Some of my goals as I enter the collegiate level of soccer include making a positive difference on the team, developing as a player, supporting my teammates, and of course, passing the fitness tests.”
“I’ve always wanted to attend a school that balances academics with education, and, for me, Princeton is the best fit for that. As soon as I spent time with the team and experienced campus life I knew it was where I wanted to spend the next four years of my soccer career,” said Lucy Rickerson, Princeton University.
“Going into college, I’m looking forward to competing against amazing players at the collegiate level. I know that playing at a high level as well as attending such a rigorous school is going to be a challenge, but I can’t wait to be a part of the program at Princeton.”
“I committed to PLNU because after a long process everything fell into place with Point Loma in the matter of weeks. PLNU has everything I have wished for in a soccer program and in the major I have chosen,” Fernanda Osorio, Point Loma Nazarene University. “Going into playing soccer in college I look forward to seeing how I can grow more as a player. I want to be able to fit into my school’s style of play, yet still bring a piece of Surf with me.”
“San Diego State has always been my dream school. I wanted a school that has a balance of high education and elite soccer, which SDSU offers. I fell in love with the campus and got nothing but good vibes from the coaching staff and team,” said Vero Avalos, San Diego State University.
“Stanford has superb academics and it will take my game to the next level,” said Catarina Macario, Stanford University. “Playing for Surf helped me play at a high level during practices and games so that I could improve as a person and player and be seen by top colleges.”
Macario has been recognized as one of the best players in America. Years ago, when she moved to San Diego to play soccer, she toured the different youth soccer clubs and selected to join Surf SC. “Coming to Surf SC was one of the best decision I ever made,” says Macario. “The coaches have always been so supportive and have helped me develop into the player I am today.”
“I chose NC State because of how competitive the team, staff and conference is. I also was attracted to the campus itself and that it had my major choice: psychology,” Hope McQueen, North Carolina State. “My goals heading into college are to help my team earn an national championship, earn a degree in psychology and set myself up for a successful future.”
“I chose this school because my parents went there, my dad played soccer there, and I’ve grown up visiting and loving the campus,” Julia Kappes, UC Santa Barbara. “My goals heading into college is to pass the fitness test right away and then to work to become a key player as a freshman.”
“I chose Cal because I love the Bay Area and it’s an amazing academic opportunity,” Chloe Frisch, University of California Berkeley. “My goal heading into college is to make the most of my opportunity.”
Neil McGuire, head coach at Cal Berkley looks forward to working with his new recruit from Surf SC and says, “Chloe is a talented offensive player who can play numerous positions in our attacking half. She is dynamic both with and without the ball and can create for others and score goals of her own.”
“It’s the place for me and it felt like home when I visited. It’s everything I could ever want in a school,” Taylor Hansen, University of Montana. “I would like to thank Surf for everything they have done for me. The coaches prepared me well to compete at the highest level and pushed me to become the best player I can be.”
“I chose this school because it holds the perfect athletic and academic environment for me,” Olivia Morse, Loyola Marymount University. “Surf has helped me turn into the player and person who I am today because of the amazing players and coaches I have been surrounded with for years.”
“I am going to Chapman University and I believe it’s the perfect fit for me due to the small, private school atmosphere while also being close to home,” Riley Pidgeon, Chapman University. “My goals going into college are to get good grades as well as make an impact on the soccer team as much as I can. Surf helped me achieve my goals by providing me with all the assistance I needed during the recruiting process.”
“At Surf SC, we know many of our players dream of playing college soccer. That is why we start early in the college education process, reaching out to our players and families early to help guide them through the transition from high school to college,” says Tomlinson. “We are proud to help be a part of our players’ success.
Reflecting on the success of this year’s Surf SC’s graduating players, Spooner says, “Once these player have committed to their desired program, we then strive to work hand in hand with their college coaches to make sure each player is the path that the college coach wants — and, the player can meet the goals they have set for themselves.”
Next Up: San Diego Surf SC Spotlight on Boys and Their College Dreams
