Eclipse Select Alumni Report: Downers Grove's Dees blanks UNC

Erin Dees - Photo provided

Eclipse Select Soccer Club Communications

CHICAGO -- Eclipse Select Soccer Club alumna and Portland junior goalkeeper Erin Dees (Downers Grove, Ill./Downers Grove North) started off the 2012 campaign in stellar fashion as the Pilots defeated the fourth-ranked University of North Carolina, 1-0, on Friday, Aug. 17, in Portland, Ore.

Dees made four saves to help Portland earn its first-ever victory against the Tar Heels.
Entering the match, Portland was 0-7-1 all-time against North Carolina. Dees' efforts also received recognition by Top Drawer Soccer for Goalkeeper of the Week honors.

Among some of the other Eclipse Select alumni standout performances, Northwestern sophomore Georgia Waddle (Lake Forest, Ill./Lake Forest) scored a game-winner to beat Kansas. Wisconsin-Milwaukee goalkeeper Jamie Forbes (St. Charles, Ill./St. Charles North) earned Horizon League Defensive Player of the Week, while Illinois State sophomore goalkeeper Aryn Newsom was named Missouri Valley Conference Goalkeeper of the Week.

For more, visit www.EclipseSelect.org.

Eclipse Select alumna Ellenwood nets goal in WPSL Elite final

Ashleigh Ellenwood

Eclipse Select Soccer Club alumna and Chicago Red Stars forward Ashleigh Ellenwood (Trail Creek, Ind.) scored a goal, but it was not enough for Chicago as the Western New York Flash would eventually win the Women's Premier Soccer League Elite League championship in Rochester, N.Y., on Saturday.

The Red Stars and Flash played to a 1-1 draw through regulation and overtime and Western New York took the shootout 4-2.

Ellenwood, who is headed to Arkansas to start her collegiate career in mid-August, had the shining moment for the Red Stars with a 41st-minute goal that gave Chicago a 1-0 lead heading into halftime.

It appeared that her goal would hold up, but in the seventh minute of second-half stoppage time, Western New York found the equalizer to force the two 15-minute overtime sessions.

In the Academy: PA Classics head coach Steve Klein

During the U.S. Soccer Development Academy Playoffs in late June, I had the pleasure of sitting down with PA Classics head coach and former Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder Steve Klein.

St. Charles native Manny joins Eclipse Select as Director of Goalkeeping

Eclipse Select Communications

CHICAGO -- The Eclipse Select Soccer Club announces the addition of St. Charles, Ill., native Trae Manny to its staff as the club's Director of Senior Goalkeeping. Manny also will serve as the head of Eclipse Select's College Assistance Program.

"Trae Manny will be an excellent addition to our already strong staff," Eclipse Select Director of Soccer Mike Nesci said. "His experience, knowledge of the position and enthusiasm toward teaching the game will allow us to produce some of the finest goalkeepers in the country."

The move for Manny certainly is a homecoming. Manny, who turns 27 today, was a goalkeeper at St. Charles East High School, where he was named first team Upstate Eight All-Conference.

"Eclipse Select has long been a dream job for me," Manny said. "I was around Mike Nesci a few times during my youth career and always appreciated his approach. As a coach in the college ranks, I grew to appreciate the consistently high standard of Eclipse Select teams and players, as well as the club's history of developing first-class goalkeepers. Now I have an opportunity to return to my roots to influence and develop youth players who come from the same locale as I did."

For more, visit EclipseSelect.org.

Eclipse Select's Kara Morway bound for Illinois State in 2013

Eclipse Select Communications

CHICAGO -- Eclipse Select Soccer Club defender Kara Morway announced her commitment to play for the Illinois State women's soccer team beginning in 2013. The Lake Villa, Ill., native and Lakes Community High School junior had narrowed down her search to Illinois State and Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Morway's older brother attends Illinois State, but it took another visit with former Eclipse Select player and current Illinois State freshman Gabbi McArtor to help solidify Morway's choice.

"I visited there a couple months ago and liked it, but I was just not ready to make a decision," Morway said. "But I got to stay with Gabbi and I could tell right then and there that I wanted to go there. I loved it."

Morway's older sister and Notre Dame sophomore defender Kecia Morway also provided some perspective about playing at the next level. Kecia, also an Eclipse Select product, had a dream start to her college campaign by winning the NCAA College Cup in her 2010 freshman season with the Irish.

"Kecia helped me during the whole process," Morway said. "I'd talk to her about it and she would give me tips on what to look for, what would make me happy and suit me best."

For more, visit EclipseSelect.org.

Eclipse Select's McKenna commits to Princeton soccer, hockey for 2013

Eclipse Select Communications

CHICAGO -- Eclipse Select Soccer Club defender Fiona McKenna has had quite a bit on her plate in both athletics and academics. The Hinsdale Central High School junior will continue to do so in college as she has made her verbal commitment to play for Princeton's women's soccer team, as well as its hockey team.

"I'm really excited," McKenna said. "All of the hard work has paid off."

McKenna will play soccer in the fall and hockey in the winter. And it was a former Eclipse Select player who got her to thinking that a two-sport Ivy League path could be possible.

"From the beginning I knew I wanted to go Ivy League because they have the best academics," McKenna said. "Crysti Howser (a Wilmette native and New Trier graduate) played for Eclipse six or seven years ago, and she played both sports at Yale. I heard about it from family and friends and I was inspired."

Read more at EclipseSelect.org.

2011 Eclipse Select Yearbook

Eclipse Select Communications

Check out the 2011 Eclipse Select Yearbook, complete with the past year's accomplishments, action and team photos, alumni updates and much more!

Eclipse Select forward Jarsombeck commits to Creighton for 2013

Eclipse Select Communications

CHICAGO -- Eclipse Select Soccer Club forward Paige Jarsombeck has announced her commitment to play for Creighton University's women's soccer team. The Tinley Park, Ill., native and Andrew High School junior will join head coach Bruce Erickson's Bluejays in 2013.

"I always wanted to go to a private and small school somewhere with a special education program, and I've always loved the city of Omaha," Jarsombeck said of the Nebraska school. "I've been there for soccer and loved it. After meeting with Coach Erickson and their team, I knew I wanted to go there."

Creighton also was the school of choice for Eclipse Select defender and Darien, Ill., native Jessica Mutters, so she and Jarsombeck will continue their soccer careers as teammates in college.

"We've played together for about three years, so it's cool to know that I will play alongside her in college," Jarsombeck said. "We practice with each other, and being teammates at Creighton is a bit of a coincidence. To know someone from Eclipse, I'm guessing that will probably help on the field because we know each other's game."

Read more at EclipseSelect.org.