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.

Eclipse Select's Bosco, Milazzo named to U.S. U-15 camp

CHICAGO (April 30, 2013) – Eclipse Select Soccer Club midfielder Marissa Bosco (St. Charles, Ill.) and defender Tatumn Milazzo (Orland Park, Ill.) were named to a 30-player roster for the U.S. U-15 Girls’ National Team.

They are teammates on Eclipse Select’s U-15 Elite Clubs National League team, which has won 13 straight games since early October of 2012.

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

Eclipse Select's Nicole Niro of Barrington to join Auburn in 2014

Nicole Niro / Eclipse Select

CHICAGO (April 18, 2013) – Eclipse Select Soccer Club defender Nicole Niro (Barrington, Ill.) had made up her mind that she wanted a change away from the Midwest to experience an education and college soccer career in the south.

Niro will join a strong women’s soccer program and Division I college as she has committed to play for SEC program Auburn beginning in the fall of 2014.

“It’s really exciting after starting soccer at such a young age and then building up to this point,” Niro said. “It’s definitely a milestone in my life and something I’m proud of.

“I really wanted to go to a school in the south, and after hearing about Auburn from a friend I looked into that and visited,” Niro said. “It felt like Eclipse in the sense that it was family-oriented, warm and welcoming. I knew I wanted to experience this type of change.”

For more, visit EclipseSelect.org.

• Barrington Courier-Review: Niro to join Auburn in 2014

Eclipse Select's Chicago Red Stars Preview Series

CHICAGO (April 13, 2013) - The National Women’s Soccer League kicks off its first campaign this weekend, with the Chicago Red Stars opening against Seattle Reign FC on Sunday (5 p.m., Village of Lisle – Benedictine University Sports Complex).

The Red Stars roster consists of five players with ties to Eclipse Select Soccer Club: midfielders Leslie Osborne and Julianne Sitch, defenders Rachel Quon and Jackie Santacaterina and goalkeeper Taylor Vancil.

Slide Tackles Communications caught up with all five players. Here are a few snippets:

Leslie Osborne / Chicago Red Stars

LESLIE OSBORNE (Brookfield, Wis.): On reuniting with Eclipse Select President Rory Dames, the Red Stars’ head coach:
“Rory had a huge impact on me when I was a youth player, and at an instrumental age. He has been a mentor and a coach that influenced me as a person and as a player. For me to have the opportunity to come back and play for him again as a professional and be close to my family is a very unique opportunity, and it felt right to do. We have a very good relationship with our communication and respect, so I really appreciate that. I have already learned a lot in the last month playing for him again. I’m excited to continue to grow as a player and person, and as a professional from him, as well.”

Rachel Quon / Chicago Red Stars

RACHEL QUON (Lake Forest, Ill.): On what it was like getting drafted by the Red Stars in January:
“Although the memory was a little blurry since it was only 6 a.m. back at Stanford when the draft was happening, I was very excited to find out I would be playing in Chicago once again. I was grateful to know that I could continue pursuing my passion and do what I love every day.”

Julianne Sitch / Chicago Red Stars

JULIANNE SITCH (Oswego, Ill.): On having the chance to play her home games within 15 miles of her hometown:
“I’ve been lucky to have such a great following through my community, family and friends. They have been supporting me my whole career and it’s great to be able to play close to home for them. They’ve sat through some bad weather to support me. For all of that, I am very grateful to have people like them in my life.”

Jackie Santacaterina / Chicago Red Stars

JACKIE SANTACATERINA (Geneva, Ill.): On the training environment among the Red Stars team and the anticipation of the league:
“I am so happy that the league is back up and running. It’s a competitive, cutthroat environment, but it makes you work and earn your spot every single session. You can learn so much by just watching the example our veteran players have set. I get to train with Olympians and World Cup champions. I’ve taken something positive away from training every day.”

Taylor Vancil / Chicago Red Stars

TAYLOR VANCIL (South Elgin, Ill.): On what it means to represent the Red Stars and community having been a local product through her club days at Eclipse Select:
“Having gone to St. Charles North High School, living in that area for a few years, and playing for Eclipse, it has been such a cool experience to come back and see familiar faces. It means a lot to me to be able to represent the Chicago Red Stars. From the top down, it is such a fantastic organization of hard working people who want nothing more than to provide good role models for kids and to help grow the women’s professional game here in the U.S. It doesn’t get much better than being able to show girls in middle school and high school that you can achieve your dreams if you’re willing to work hard and keep a positive attitude. I hope that we will be able to maintain the NWSL so that girls across the country will have something to aspire to for years to come.”

For the latest Eclipse Select Soccer Club news, visit EclipseSelect.org, and for more about the Chicago Red Stars, visit ChicagoRedStars.net.

Meet the U.S. Under-17 Men's National Team

The U.S. Under-17 Men's National Team takes hold of the mic as the players introduce themselves during their trip to Panama City, competing in the 2013 CONCACAF U-17 Championship. As they are vying for a spot in the 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup, they also clearly want you to follow them on Twitter or Instagram ... and Ahinga Selemani's web site.

Eclipse Select's Stuenkel of St. Charles headed to Iowa in 2014

CHICAGO (April 5, 2013) –Eclipse Select Soccer Club midfielder Karly Stuenkel (St. Charles, Ill.) wanted to find a strong college program, big college setting and a hometown feel. That destination proved to be Iowa City as she committed to play for the University of Iowa beginning in the fall of 2014.

“I’m so happy to be going there and have the chance to play in the Big Ten,” Stuenkel said. “I’m really excited that they showed this much interest in me.”

Louisville also was a top choice on Stuenkel’s radar, but she said she meshed well with the Hawkeyes program.

“Both schools take care of their athletes, and with Iowa I just clicked with their coaching staff,” Stuenkel said. “It was so nice, and they have taken that program and brought it up. I liked that. I realized how much I loved the school campus, and that it’s a big school but in a small type of city that reminds me of my hometown.”

• Kane County Chronicle: St. Charles' Stuenkel commits to Iowa soccer
• Kane County Chronicle: Coach Sly Blog: Club soccer siphons off its share of talent