Eclipse Select Alumni: DePaul's Ben rakes in Big East honor

DePaul's Alexa Ben

By CHARLIE CORR
slidetackles@mail.com

CHICAGO - Eclipse Select Soccer Club alumna and DePaul senior midfielder Alexa Ben (Schaumburg, Ill.) has been named the Big East Conference Offensive Player of the Week.

Ben's second-career hat trick - and first of the 2017 season - catapulted the Blue Demons to a 6-3 victory against Villanova on Sunday. All three tallies came in the second half, within a 31-minute span.

For more, visit EclipseSelect.org.

UPDATE: The club's former website/URL no longer exist. Below is the full text of the online release:

ECLIPSE SELECT ALUMNI:

ALEXA BEN RAKES IN BIG EAST HONOR

 

Schaumburg native named conference Offensive Player of the Week for hat trick

 

CHICAGO (Oct. 25, 2017) - Eclipse Select Soccer Club alumna and DePaul senior midfielder Alexa Ben (Schaumburg, Ill.) has been named the Big East Conference Offensive Player of the Week.

 

Ben's second-career hat trick - and first of the 2017 season - catapulted the Blue Demons to a 6-3 victory against Villanova on Sunday. All three tallies came in the second half, within a 31-minute span.

 

Ben, who earlier this month was named a Top 10 finalist for the 2017 Senior CLASS Award, ranks fourth in DePaul history with 27 career goals.

 

Madden nets brace for Golden Eagles: Also on the Big East Weekly Honor Roll on Monday was Marquette redshirt junior forward Carrie Madden (Deer Park, Ill.), who was honored for her brace this past Sunday against Creighton.

 

Madden notched the first two goals during a 3-0 victory against Creighton to up her season total to six, which leads the Golden Eagles.

 

Howard's Gray caps off regular season in style: Howard senior striker Kela Gray (Chicago, Ill.) wrapped up the regular season with three goals over two matches this past weekend. She recorded a brace on Friday for a 2-0 victory against Texas Southern, followed by her team's lone goal in a 1-1 draw against Prairie View A&M on Sunday.

 

She has scored eight goals this season, all coming over the past 11 matches.

 

Elsewhere, Northwestern junior defender Kayla Sharples (Naperville, Ill.) set up a Kayleigh Stahlschmidt goal to lead the Wildcats to a 1-0 victory against Nebraska on Saturday for their third straight win in Big Ten play. Sharples now has three assists this season, a personal high.

Eclipse Select product Staton finishes 182nd at Chicago Marathon

Eclipse Select alumna Pam Staton

By CHARLIE CORR
slidetackles@mail.com

CHICAGO - Former Eclipse Select Soccer Club players raced during the 2017 Bank of America Chicago Marathon on Sunday, and over the years it has been common to spot former club and collegiate standouts running this famed event. This year was no different.

Among the top finishers was former Loyola Chicago soccer player and cross country/track athlete Pam Staton (Ingleside, Ill.). She finished with a time of 3:08:54, which was good for 182nd place among all women and 50th in the 30-34 age group.

For more, visit EclipseSelect.org.

Eclipse alumna Moulton named MVC Defensive Player of the Week

By CHARLIE CORR
slidetackles@mail.com

CHICAGO - Eclipse Select Soccer Club alumna and Valparaiso goalkeeper Drew Moulton (Sycamore, Ill.) was named the Missouri Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Week, an honor she has achieved for the second time this season. Moulton came up with seven saves and posted her third clean sheet during Valpo's 1-0 victory against Missouri State to open conference play on Saturday in Springfield, Mo.

In other news, DePaul senior midfielder Alexa Ben (Schaumburg, Ill.) has been selected as a finalist for the 2017 Senior CLASS Award.

For more, visit EclipseSelect.org.

Eclipse Select alumna Foster pacing Ole Miss with nine tallies

By CHARLIE CORR
slidetackles@mail.com

CHICAGO - Eclipse Select Soccer Club alumna and Ole Miss freshman Channing Foster (Murray, Ky.) is off to an impressive start for the Rebels, already putting her name on notice before Southeastern Conference play has even started.

Foster is scoring at a clip of more than a goal per game with nine tallies in eight matches thus far this season. This past weekend, she netted a first-half score to lead Ole Miss to a 1-0 victory at Memphis on Sunday.

For more, visit EclipseSelect.org.

Sitch preps for IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship

By CHARLIE CORR
slidetackles@mail.com

CHICAGO - Eclipse Select Soccer Club alumna Julianne Sitch (Oswego, Ill.), one of the top local talents on the pitch in the Chicagoland area, is now excelling in a different competitive outlet following her professional career.

This Saturday, the former DePaul and Chicago Red Stars midfielder will be competing in Chattanooga, Tenn. in the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship.

"I didn't know what I was going to do competitively after playing soccer, but I knew I wanted to stay in the competitive world and compete," Sitch told Zoie Clift at IRONMAN.com. "This gave me that avenue after I retired from playing."

For the full interview, visit IRONMAN.com.

Sprecher wins Marquette Invite; Albert rejoins U.S. U-15s

By CHARLIE CORR
slidetackles@mail.com

CHICAGO - Eclipse Select Soccer Club alumna and Marquette freshman forward Kylie Sprecher (Menomonee Falls, Wis.) was named the Marquette Invitational's top offensive player after helping the Golden Eagles capture the tournament crown this past weekend. She also was named the Big East Freshman of the Week.

Sprecher tallied her first collegiate goal to lift the Golden Eagles to a 1-0 victory against Central Michigan on Friday. The lone tally came in the 18th minute, with fellow Eclipse alum Carrie Madden (Deer Park, Ill.) crossing toward Darian Powell, who deflected back to Sprecher. She struck from 10 yards out to garner the 1-0 lead. Then on Sunday, Sprecher added an assist to Eli Beard's game-winner during a 2-0 victory against Mercer.

Among current Eclipse Select membership, midfielder Korbin Albert (Gurnee, Ill.) has been called into the U.S. U-15 Girls' National Team. This is Albert's third U-15 camp of the year.

For more, visit EclipseSelect.org.

Eclipse Select alumni Griffin, Moulton of Valpo sweep MVC honors

By CHARLIE CORR
slidetackles@mail.com

CHICAGO - The NCAA season is underway, and that means a bevy of Eclipse Select Soccer Club alumni will be playing a significant part for their respective collegiate programs.

Standing out from this past weekend was a massive first impression in Missouri Valley Conference action as a pair of alumni were honored for their efforts.

Valpo junior forward Sydney Griffin (Hinsdale, Ill.) was named the MVC Offensive Player & Newcomer of the Week, tallying two goals and assisting another in her first two games. Not to be outdone, Eclipse alumna and Valpo junior goalkeeper Drew Moulton (Sycamore, Ill.) was the MVC Defensive Player of the Week after earning a pair of clean sheets.

For more, visit EclipseSelect.org.

Eclipse Select alumna Ben named to MAC Hermann Trophy Watch List

DePaul senior Alexa Ben

By CHARLIE CORR
slidetackles@mail.com

CHICAGO - Eclipse Select Soccer Club alumna Alexa Ben (Schaumburg, Ill.), a senior midfielder with DePaul, has been named to the 2017 MAC Hermann Trophy Watch List, it was announced Monday by the United Soccer Coaches and the Missouri Athletic Club.

Ben has had a tremendous career with the Blue Demons from the very start. She was the 2014 Big East Conference Rookie of the Year, the 2016 Big East Midfielder of the Year and is a two-time All-Big East First Team selection. Last year, she tallied seven goals and three assists.

For more, visit EclipseSelect.org.

Eclipse Select Newsletter - July 2017

By CHARLIE CORR

slidetackles@mail.com

CHICAGO - Revisit the amazing accomplishments from the 2016-17 season with Eclipse Select Soccer Club’s annual newsletter. Highlights in the issue include the U-14 team’s amazing run to the ECNL National Final, Naperville native and alumna Casey Short’s run with the U.S. Women’s National Team, plus some elements to look forward to in 2017-18, including the some new staffing changes in the boys’ program and the inclusion of the Development Academy in Eclipse Select’s programming.

For more, visit EclipseSelect.org.

Eclipse Select adds Callan, McNellis to coaching staff

Mark McNellis (left) and James Callan

By CHARLIE CORR
slidetackles@mail.com

CHICAGO – Eclipse Select Soccer Club welcomes in two new coaches to its staff starting in 2017-18. James Callan has been named the Eclipse Select Director of U-8 to U-10 East and Mark McNellis will be Eclipse Select East Coach.

McNellis and Callan have a wealth of former playing and coaching experience and have spent their recent years at United Soccer Academy, with Callan serving as the director of coaching since 2012 and McNellis as senior coach since 2011. Both will begin their Eclipse Select responsibilities this fall.

Callan grew up in Peru and moved to the U.S. in 1994. He is a former player at Amundsen High School in Chicago’s North Side and the NAIA’s St. Xavier University.

McNellis has been a fixture in the Chicagoland soccer community for many years. He is a former all-state athlete at Hinsdale South High School, where he is the program’s all-time goal scoring leader. McNellis was part of DePaul University’s soccer team from 1991-93.

For more, visit EclipseSelect.org.

Seven Eclipse Select players wrap up exclusive id2 Camp in Indianapolis

By CHARLIE CORR
slidetackles@mail.com

CHICAGO - Over the years, Eclipse Select Soccer Club has featured a number of talented players who have earned the opportunity to participate in the id2 Training Camp Program. It is an opportunity for the country’s top youth soccer players to be in an environment where they are identified, developed and scouted for inclusion in U.S. Soccer’s national team programs.

Eclipse Select proudly featured seven players for a March 23-26 camp in suburban Indianapolis: midfielder Korbin Albert (Gurnee, Ill.), defender Kate Dobsch (Winnetka, Ill.), forward Devin Lynch (Naperville, Ill.), forward Dakota Lyons (Mettawa, Ill.), defender Emma Phillips (Munster, Ind.), midfielder Brielle Rochester (Libertyville, Ill.) and midfielder Jenna Stayart (Cary, Ill.).

For more, visit EclipseSelect.org.

Eclipse Select to hold U.S. Soccer Development Academy ID sessions

By CHARLIE CORR
slidetackles@mail.com

Eclipse Select Soccer has announced its U.S. Soccer Developmental Identification Sessions for players with the birth years 1999-06. These sessions are for identifying players from outside our current club that would be interested in playing in the USDA for the 2017-18 season. The sessions run Jan. 3-8 at the Darien Sportsplex.

For more, visit EclipseSelect.org.

Eclipse Select Alumni: UNC freshman Redei bound for College Cup

By CHARLIE CORR
slidetackles@mail.com

CHICAGO - Former Eclipse Select Soccer Club forward Zoe Redei (Highland Park, Ill.) is headed to the 2016 NCAA Women’s College Cup. The North Carolina freshman and her side advanced to the NCAA Tournament’s quarterfinal round with a 1-0 victory against South Carolina on Friday in Columbia, S.C.

Redei, who has worked her way back from an ankle injury, has been playing a reserve role for UNC during the postseason. On Friday, she registered two shots in 36 minutes as the Tar Heels improved to 17-3-4 on the season.

“They’ve improved so much since I’ve been out,” Redei told dailytarheel.com a week ago. “They just continue to improve, and it’s just amazing to be back playing with them.”

For more, visit EclipseSelect.org.

Eclipse alumna Stuenkel named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week

By CHARLIE CORR - slidetackles@mail.com

CHICAGO – Eclipse Select Soccer Club alumna Karly Stuenkel (St. Charles, Ill.) was honored by the Big Ten Conference on Tuesday, earning Offensive Player of the Week accolades for her big performances this past weekend to lead Iowa to a pair of wins. The junior midfielder scored two goals during the team’s 4-1 win against Colorado State last Friday. Then on Sunday, Stuenkel tallied what proved to be the game-winning goal and assisted Iowa’s third goal – all in the opening 15 minutes – to lead the Hawkeyes to a 5-1 victory against SIU Edwardsville in Iowa City, Iowa.

Elsewhere Virginia freshman Alyssa Gorzak (Naperville, Ill.) recently tallied a goal to lead the No. 3 Cavaliers to a 2-0 victory against No. 25 Pepperdine at Klockner Stadium.

North Carolina freshman Zoe Redei (Highland Park, Ill.) tallied her third goal in five games thus far in her collegiate career, helping the Tar Heels to a 2-0 win against Villanova on Sunday at the Duke Nike Classic in Durham, N.C. She earned all-tournament honors.

For more, visit EclipseSelect.org.

Eclipse's Van Zanten joins U.S. roster at CONCACAF U-15 Championship

Eclipse Select's Kiki Van Zanten (back right)

By CHARLIE CORR
slidetackles@mail.com

CHICAGO - Eclipse Select Soccer Club forward Kalyssa “Kiki” Van Zanten (Buffalo Grove, Ill.) is one of 18 players who will represent the U.S. U-15 Girls’ National Team at the 2016 CONCACAF U-15 Girls’ Championship.

The tournament takes place from Aug. 9-21 at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando.

“We’re happy that Kiki will be representing Eclipse Select and the U.S. squad during the U-15 tournament next month,” Eclipse Select Vice President Mike Nesci said. “This age group has seen several of our club players in the national team mix this year, and Kiki’s play is deserving to be a part of this select group. We’re hopeful that she plays a big part during the tournament, continues to develop as a player through this valuable experience and look forward to a strong performance from the U.S.”

For more, visit EclipseSelect.org.

All five Eclipse Select ECNL teams qualify for Nationals

By CHARLIE CORR - slidetackles@mail.com

Eclipse Select Soccer Club has enjoyed an incredibly successful run in recent days at every level to either clinch a national postseason berth or compete in the finals state side.

All five ECNL teams officially qualified for a spot at the 2016 ECNL National Playoffs. The draw was held on Thursday. The ECNL Playoffs run June 23-28 in Oceanside, Calif., north of San Diego, and the ECNL Finals take place July 8 and 9 in Germantown, Md.

Among other recent accomplishments, the Eclipse Select USYSA 2020 team won the U-14 age group at the 2016 Illinois Presidents Cup this past weekend. Eclipse defeated FC United Select Red 3-1 on Sunday in Naperville.

The Eclipse Select Pre-ECNL 2021 team recently took second place in the U-13 age group in the Illinois State Cup. The highlight was during Saturday’s semifinal when Eclipse defeated FC United in penalty kicks to advance to Sunday’s championship.

For more, visit EclipseSelect.org.

Eclipse Select Update: Carthage goalkeeper Emily Furmanek

Eclipse Select GK Emily Furmanek

By CHARLIE CORR - slidetackles@mail.com

Eclipse Select Soccer Club goalkeeper Emily Furmanek (Orland Park, Ill.) is a fitting example of a competitive athlete within Eclipse’s dedicated base who plans on maintaining that drive alongside an ironclad academic and professional plan.

Furmanek recently graduated from Sandburg High School – playing in a regional championship on the day of her graduation – and she will now embark on her collegiate path at Carthage College in Kenosha, Wis. The Division III program competes in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW), and representing the Lady Reds will go hand-in-hand with her occupational therapy major, which set Carthage apart in her search.

“I’ve been playing soccer forever,” Furmanek said. “It’s not going to be my career, but I also knew I wanted to play soccer in college. The occupational therapy program was a big point in going there. Soccer is always going to be a part of my life.”

For the full article, visit EclipseSelect.org.

Q&A: New Eclipse Select Director of Goalkeepers Jordan King

Eclipse Select's Jordan King

By CHARLIE CORR - slidetackles@mail.com

The Eclipse Select Soccer Club and NWSL’s Chicago Red Stars announced the hiring of 30-year-old former professional goalkeeper Jordan King as the new Goalkeeper Director. EclipseSelect.org spoke with “Jordi” King, who recently served in a goalkeeper coach capacity with the U.S. U-17 Women’s National Team under the guidance of head coach B.J. Snow.

King began his dual duties with Eclipse Select and the Red Stars at the beginning of April. We delve into King’s first conversations with Eclipse Select President Rory Dames, his background, and how his demeanor and values mesh with the model embraced at Eclipse Select.

Q: How did the opportunity to join Eclipse Select and the Red Stars come about?
Jordan King: “I was with U.S. Soccer and working there part-time. I got to work with a bunch of high-quality goalkeepers, and that really opened my eyes to what else is out there. When I got this opportunity from Rory it was something that just was too good to pass up because it was Eclipse and it was the Red Stars as well. That made a big impact. The way that Rory sets up the club and kind of brings back old players, old goalkeepers, to train with the Red Stars, really was appealing to me because I do love to see the transition from club, to college to professional. To be able to work with all of that from a young age and then see them out all the way to that ultimate level was something that was really eye opening. That’s one of the main reasons that I decided to make this move. The players that I was working with privately back home and working with the national team, I would love to see them out, but the next step just wasn’t in my hands. Now, to be capable of making the decisions whether or not to bring them into the Red Stars is something that I think is an awesome opportunity for any coach to be able to do and see.”

For the full interview, visit EclipseSelect.org.

National Signing Day: Eclipse Select Class of 2016

CHICAGO – Eclipse Select Soccer Club is proud to announce its Class of 2016, which currently features 32 players who are headed to their respective NCAA women’s soccer programs starting this fall.

Below is a breakdown of the Eclipse Select Class of 2016 on National Signing Day:

• Janeece Ader (Mundelein, Ill.), forward – Alabama State
• Camryn Biegalski (Lombard, Ill.), defender/midfielder – Wisconsin
• Marissa Bosco (St. Charles, Ill.), forward – Kentucky
• Lydia Brosnahan (Highland Park, Ill.), defender – Purdue
• Courtney Daugerdas (Libertyville, Ill.), forward – Ohio
• Abby Dein (Glenview, Ill.), midfielder – Northwestern
• Tamae Douglas (Chicago, Ill.), forward – Illinois-Chicago
• Ryan Dudycha (Naperville, Ill.), forward – Purdue
• Alissa Gorzak (Naperville, Ill.), forward – Virginia
• Nicki Hernandez (Naperville, Ill.), midfielder – Michigan
• Emily Hess (Batavia, Ill.), defender – Marquette
• Foster Ignoffo (Geneva, Ill.), forward – Kentucky
• Adi Johnson (Rockford, Ill.), midfielder – Valparaiso
• Becky Koch (Cary, Ill.), defender – South Carolina
• Amanda Kowalski (Buffalo Grove, Ill.), defender – Butler
• Maddie Krejci (Naperville, Ill.), midfielder – Tennessee
• Alia Martin (Carmel, Ind.), midfielder – Michigan
• Hannah Marwede (Lake Forest, Ill.), defender – Miami
• Tatumn Milazzo (Orland Park, Ill.), defender – South Carolina
• Lauren Muzzalupo (St. Charles, Ill.), midfielder – Augustana
• Mikaela Niermann (Geneva, Ill.), midfielder – Washington Univ. in St. Louis
• Dana O’Boye (Plainfield, Ill.), defender – Arkansas State
• Brittany Paganucci (Lombard, Ill.), forward – Illinois State
• Natalia Pinto (Downers Grove, Ill.), midfielder – Augustana
• Cassidy Privett (Elmhurst, Ill.), midfielder – Illinois-Chicago
• Zoe Redei (Highland Park, Ill.), forward – North Carolina
• Breana Robbins (Downers Grove, Ill.), forward – Purdue
• Stephanie Rodriguez (Batavia, Ill.), goalkeeper – Butler
• Cassandra Rohan (Palatine, Ill.), midfielder – Drake
• Ena Sabanagic (Hanover Park, Ill.), midfielder – Purdue
• Gaby Schwartz (Chicago, Ill.), defender – Wisconsin-Milwaukee
• Lea Waddle (Lake Forest, Ill.), midfielder – Vanderbilt

For more, visit EclipseSelect.org.

Eclipse Select College Commitment update: Tamae Douglas, UIC

Eclipse Select Release

Eclipse Select Soccer Club will have a pair of players competing for the University of Illinois-Chicago this fall. One member of the Flames’ program, which will be entering just its third collegiate season, is forward Tamae Douglas (Chicago, Ill.).

Douglas made her verbal commitment to UIC last year, and for a fledgling collegiate program, she has the potential to play an immediate role at the next level.

“When I was searching for a college, sports-wise I knew what they were doing and that it was a good foundation,” Douglas said. “There is a bright future, and they said to me that I could be a difference maker coming into a new program.

“They hit on a lot of what I was going to expect coming into school academically,” Douglas said. “They really convinced me about their program and their high standards. They want a team where everyone is setting goals for themselves and not just coming in to play.”

For more, visit EclipseSelect.org.