Eclipse Select Alumni: Newsom nets MVC Goalkeeper of the Week

Aryn Newsom

CHICAGO (Sept. 19, 2013) -- Former Eclipse Select Soccer Club goalkeeper and Illinois State redshirt junior Aryn Newsom (Manteno, Ill.) was named Missouri Valley Conference Goalkeeper of the Week, the league announced Tuesday.

Newsom earned her first shutout of the season during Illinois State’s 4-0 victory against SEMO on Friday, making two saves in that game. Then Newsom posted a career-best 13 saves in a 3-2 victory against No. 22 Marquette on Sunday. Ten saves came in the second half.

Gurson earns second weekly CCAC honor: Robert Morris senior forward Gordy Gurson (Buffalo Grove, Ill.) was named CCAC Offensive Player of the Week for the second time this season on Tuesday. Gurson tallied the lone goal as Robert Morris upset NAIA No. 2-ranked Hannibal-LaGrange College (Mo.), 1-0, last Saturday.

For the latest Eclipse Select news, visit www.EclipseSelect.org.

Eclipse Select's Meg Sadera to play for Colgate in fall of 2014

CHICAGO (Aug. 19, 2013) -- Eclipse Select Soccer Club's Meg Sadera (Winnetka, Ill.) has the range to play anywhere between the defense and forward positions, and that resourcefulness will come in hany in the fall of 2014 when she plays for Colgate in the Patriot League.

While this program might have a sense of randomness being in the middle of New York State, the Raiders' current fall lineup features seniors and Eclipse Select alumni Christy Patterson (Kenilworth, Ill.) and Kelsey Hough (Lake Forest, Ill.)

"Kelsey Hough said she loves it -- the school, social life -- and she reassured me to go for it," Sadera said. "I visited this spring just before we went to PDA in May (for a national showcase) and I loved the campus. I met with a lot of girls on the team, and overall there was a big balance between soccer and academics.

"I'm just excited to be able to have the chance to play in college after committing kind of late," Sadera said. "It's a weight lifted off of my shoulders."

For the latest Eclipse Select news, visit EclipseSelect.org.

Eclipse Select's Addie Boardman kicks off 2013 fall season at DePauw

CHICAGO (Aug. 8, 2013) -- There are those who pick up a sport late in their youth days, and then there is Eclipse Select Soccer Club midfielder Addie Boardman.

Having spent more than a decade focused on volleyball, Boardman made a chance to her schedule by picking up soccer. She made that decision for her junior year at LaPorte High School, and now two years later, the LaPorte, Ind., native is preparing for the 2013 campaign for DePauw's women's soccer team.

"I had been a volleyball player for 12 years, but I still wanted to do a fall sport," Boardman said. "I went out for soccer, and honestly I had only played YMCA soccer when I was 5. At that time, I hated the running. But I decided to go out for LaPorte High School's team and made all-conference, which I didn't expect at all."

For more, visit EclipseSelect.org.

Eclipse Select's Katy Karabetsos joining San Jose State in 2014

Eclipse Select's Katy Karabetsos

CHICAGO (Aug. 6, 2013) -- Eclipse Select Soccer Club midfielder Katy Karabetsos admits she had some good fortune on her side when committing to a collegiate program, and sure enough that pathway started in Las Vegas.

Karabetsos' performance at the Las Vegas Players Showcase in March paid big dividends as the Buffalo Grove, Ill., native and member of Eclipse Select's U-17 Elite Clubs National League team caught the eyes of San Jose State's women's soccer program.

After they contacted Eclipse Select President Rory Dames to get the ball rolling, the Spartans are now looking forward to having Karabetsos on the pitch starting in the fall of 2014.

"It was just luck, I guess," Karabetsos said. "We were at the showcase in Vegas and their coach happened to be walking by and saw me stand out during a game. He contacted Rory and showed interest."

For more, visit EclipseSelect.org.

IN THE NEWS:

Daily Herald: Karabetsos enjoys profitable trip out west
Buffalo Grove Patch: Stevenson senior commits to playing college soccer in California

U.S. U-20 MNT's Wil Trapp evolving under Brian Bliss's eyes

U.S. U-20 MNT's Wil Trapp

For anyone who has followed the U.S. Under-20 Men's National Team leading up to the 2013 FIFA U-20 World Cup, they would know just how consistent and essential midfielder Wil Trapp has been throughout the year for this group.

The Gahanna, Ohio, native rose through the ranks at the Columbus Crew's Development Academy, earned a professional homegrown contract with the club late last year, and now he is coming off a 1-1 draw against France on June 24 in the U-20 World Cup -- a game that featured Trapp wearing the captain's armband.

Watching Trapp's rise front-and-center has been Crew technical director Brian Bliss, who joined the MLS organization in 2008 and has been Trapp's assistant coach for the U-20 MNT and head coach Tab Ramos.

"He was the crown jewel in our system ever since he was about 14," Bliss said. "We have signed some previous homegrown players before Wil, but none had the accomplishments that Wil had at the youth level and college, as well."

For more, visit ussoccer.com.

Eclipse Select's Aguilera set for Wright State this fall

CHICAGO (May 17, 2013) – Eclipse Select Soccer Club NWI forward Paige Aguilera (Crown Point, Ind.) has thrived as a predominantly left-footed player on the pitch, and Wright State is looking to take advantage of that element.

Aguilera is committed to play for the Horizon League squad starting this fall, and she certainly hopes to make an immediate impact.

“I think I will have a chance of starting right away, but I need to push myself,” Aguilera said. “Being left-footed, they said they have a need on the left side. I could also be more of a midfielder or push up as a forward on the left side. They told me if I train hard during the summer and go over the regimen they gave me, do well and come in, I should have a good shot.”

Aguilera is certainly amped up about the next chapter in her career.

“I can’t be more excited,” Aguilera said. “Ever since I was younger, I’ve always wanted this, and to get there to train for my first college game is a great feeling. It’s everything I’ve worked for.

“The first time I visited the campus, everything fell into place,” she said. “I hung out with the team. And the fact that they have a good medical field words hand-in-hand with joining their soccer program, so it was perfect. I loved everything about it.”

For more, visit EclipseSelect.org.

Eclipse Select's Rachel Gerhardt to play for hometown Valpo this fall

CHICAGO (May 10, 2013) – Eclipse Select Soccer Club goalkeeper Rachel Gerhardt (Valparaiso, Ind.) has reaped the benefits of her hard work both on and off the field, and at just 17 years old she will take her game to the college level with Valparaiso starting this fall.

After three full school years, the Eclipse Select U-18 NWI net minder will graduate from Boone Grove High School and compete for the Crusaders in the Horizon League.

“My mom and brother have both experienced VU, so it was always on my mind as a career choice, but I never thought I would do it,” Gerhardt said. “Then last year they held a private VIP camp and they wanted to have me attend. I was ecstatic. I can’t even begin to tell you how excited I am. Everything that I’m doing to get ready, the conditioning work – it’s awesome.”

Gerhardt had mostly been targeted by Division II and Division III programs throughout the country, but the stars aligned for the Valparaiso, Ind., native to compete for a Division I institution in her hometown. She joins a Valpo program led by head coach John Marovich.

“Coach Marovich is such a great guy,” Gerhardt said. “He gets down to business. He’s not one to joke around – when it’s time, it’s time. He wants to get the job done and get your full potential. So you have to be in tip-top shape. He’s not going to tolerate anything less and will push you to the extreme.”

Eclipse Select's McGinnis fights back from injury, commits to UW for 2014

CHICAGO (May 4, 2013) – Eclipse Select Soccer Club forward Sydney McGinnis was recognized by Wisconsin women’s soccer coach Paula Wilkins when she was 9 years old.

The combination of that familiarity and McGinnis’ drive to return from a year and a half injury are just two reasons why the Park Ridge native and Maine South junior stayed on the radar will be playing for the Badgers starting in the fall of 2014.

Sydney McGinnis / Eclipse Select

“Originally I had not thought about Wisconsin, but I fell in love with that school and had been through the ODP program where Paula was one of the coaches,” McGinnis said. “She has recognized me since I was 9 years old. So when I tore my ACL, she had no worries about it.”

McGinnis’ ACL injury was 17 months ago, and this weekend marks her return to the pitch. Eclipse Select’s U-17 Elite Clubs National League team has an inner-club scrimmage this Sunday.

“When you’re 9 and still developing, you never think that this would do anything for you or you’d get the recognition,” McGinnis said. “You don’t think that your ODP coach would be your future college coach. That has definitely helped that she remembered me and has helped in my recovery process, the fact that she wants me to get better and has strong hopes for me.”

• Patch.com: Maine South Player Signs with Wisconsin

For the latest Eclipse Select news, visit EclipseSelect.org.