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Courtney Petersen, Defender, Michigan Hawks
IMG Academy 150: No. 23
Class: 2015
Commitment: Virginia

With an already promising 2015 recruiting class committed, Virginia head coach Steve Swanson recently added another highly-regarded player to the group.

Michigan Hawks defender made the decision to commit to the Charlottesville program after a long and exhaustive search. 

“The choice I made with going to Virginia wasn’t an easy one,” Petersen told TopDrawerSoccer.com. “I had amazing offers from a lot of other great schools. It was very important to me to take my time and really see where I would best fit in. I knew I wanted to play in the ACC, that was the easy part. What made me pick Virginia was the atmosphere there.

“No other school gave me the feeling that Virginia did. The staff at UVA was friendly and welcoming. The bond with the girls on the soccer team is incredible. Not only will I get a great education, I will be playing soccer with the No. 1 ranked team at UVA. I believe Coach Swanson can help me achieve my dreams and goals too.” 

Petersen, who discussed her recruiting search last year, is a standout from a prominent Hawks program and has been in and out of the U.S. youth national team program over the past two years.

The high-standards of the UVA coaching staff caught her eye when considering her college future. 

“I really like the way Coach Swanson pushes these girls,” she said. “I also like the connection these girls have on and off the field, they are like one big family. I also feel Coach Swanson's style of play best fits mine. It felt like this is where I would best fit in. I feel I have a lot to contribute to the team.”

The school’s picturesque campus in Southwest Virginia was another plus.

“I really like all of the history behind the school, with [Thomas] Jefferson building some of the parts of this college,” Petersen explained. “I find that very interesting, and amazed on how beautiful everything still looks. I like that with going to this school I will not only have an amazing soccer career here, but I will also get a fantastic college education. I am very happy with my decision going to The University of Virginia.”

Petersen joins a stacked recruiting class that already includes Betsy Brandon (Colorado Rush), Brianna Westrup (Slammers FC), Montana Sutton (PDA), Jasmine Wright (Maryland United) and Morgan Beans (Gwinnett Soccer Association).

Other commitments:

Midfielder Walters Leigh Haynes committed to Wake Forest for the class of 2015.

Forward Dominique Cirnigliaro (Chargers SC) committed to West Florida for the class of 2014.

Midfielder Juliana Vazquez (Beadling SC) committed to Pittsburgh for the class of 2015.

Goalkeeper Paige Brandt (LA Galaxy South Bay) committed to Colorado State for the class of 2014.

Defender Michaela Abam (Texas Rush) changed her commitment to West Virginia for the class of 2014.

Defender Jocelyn Nelson (TSC Hurricane) committed to SMU for the class of 2016.