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Karli Gutsche, Defender, WSI West Florida Flames
Class: 2015
Commitment: Auburn

A hard-working defender from Florida, Karli Gutsche is following in the footsteps of her older sister Karina by joining an SEC program, who is a rising junior midfielder at Florida.

The familiarity with the conference helped seal her decision to commit to the program.

“Having watched my sister play for the last couple of years in the SEC, I knew that conference offered the high level of play that I wanted to compete in,” Gutsche told TopDrawerSoccer.com. “The coaching staff at Auburn is phenomenal. Not only do they have goals for me as a player, but they are very focused on my academic progress as well.”

Auburn stood out because of the way they played, among other things, as well as a familiarity with the head coach.

“I love the attacking possession style that coach [Karen] Hoppa implements,” she said. “My team, West Florida Flames ECNL, plays a very similar style and I know that I can adapt well to Auburn's style of play.  I have also played for coach Hoppa previously, in Costa Rica, and I know that I will grow tremendously as a player under her direction.” 

Sarah Danielle Hoover, Defender, TSC Hurricane
Class: 2015
Commitment: Tulsa

Having the opportunity to regularly watch the Tulsa women play, TSC Hurricane 97 ECNL's Danielle Hoover was intrigued by the team's defensive schemes and could see that Tulsa Head Coach Kyle Cussen clearly placed a high emphasis on having speedy, technical defenders with the ability to attack out of the backfield – a role perfectly suited for the 5’8” super-fast Tulsa Union High School Sophomore, a decorated track star who has played multiple positions throughout her soccer career, primarily as an outside left back/left midfielder.

Danielle chose Tulsa for a variety of reasons. In addition to the excellent facilities and upward trajectory of the Tulsa women’s soccer program under Cussen's direction, the academic strength of a degree from the University of Tulsa and the fully invested and highly supportive student body and staff were major contributing factors. 

“All the student athletes come out and support each other’s sports,” Hoover said. “You regularly see football, volleyball, basketball players/coaches, etc rooting players on at men’s and women’s soccer games and vice versa. A family environment as well as being close to my own family is also very important to me. Tulsa is a perfect fit.” 

Annika Schmidt, Defender, Carmel United SC
Class: 2015
Commitment: Connecticut

The soccer program is one with a strong history, and the school’s all around enthusiasm sports drew Annika Schmidt to make her commitment for 2015.

“UConn is a powerhouse sports university, Connecticut is equipped with world-class facilities,” she said. “Multiple sports teams have achieved and continue to achieve recognition for greatness on the national front.”

A player with plenty of ambition, Schmidt believes that big things lie ahead for the program.

“The current head coach, Len Tsantiris, amazingly has led the team to the NCAA National Championship four times,” she said. “I personally desire to win an NCAA Championship. I believe I can achieve this at UConn. UConn also provides me with a great opportunity to be seen for the U.S. Women's National Team! It has always been my dream to play, and I am not giving up on that. UConn already has players who have played on the U.S. Women's National Team, which shows me that UConn develops and promotes players to this level, and will help me achieve my goal of playing at this level.”

Other commitments:

Goalkeeper Jessie Clark (FC Dallas) committed to UNLV for the class of 2014.

Forward Natalie Jacobs (Slammers FC) committed to Notre Dame for the class of 2015.

Defender Payton Goulding (Minnesota Thunder Academy) committed to Missouri for the class of 2015.