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Alejandra Ortiz, Midfielder, Lonestar SC
Class: 2014
Choices: Northwestern, University of Chicago, SMU, Rice, North Texas and more

Searching for schools isn’t new to Alejandra Ortiz.

After all, her older sister went through the process quite recently and will play at North Texas in the fall.

Isabel Damiani

“Seeing my sister go through this process has helped me realize the amount of work and commitment it takes to make it,” Ortiz wrote TopDrawerSoccer.com in an email. “She has also shown me the rewards that come from all the hard work; I can't wait to see her play in college. I can see where I want to take my soccer career and everything that I need to do to get there.”

A hard-working midfielder who can also slot into the defense, Ortiz knows that she has her work cut out for her as she researches and looks for the right fit.

“I am still in the process of narrowing down my potential colleges,” she said. “However, I am still keeping my eyes open and attending all the camps that I am able to and emailing colleges to come watch me play every chance I have.”

Ortiz had been in touch with various coaches and has made visits to Northwestern, University of Chicago, SMU, Rice and North Texas thus far, and has many more on the docket in the fall.

She’s learned to get the most out of each visit.

“I enjoyed the different opportunities to experience each schools unique program,” she said. “I have learned that I like campuses that provide a close feeling and that are not huge. I also liked how during one school's tour, they made a point to mention the amount of study hours and specific time set aside for academics.”

With an eye on making a commitment her junior year, Ortiz isn’t in a rush to come to any conclusion and will take her time.

Isabel Damiani, Defender, So Cal Blues
Class: 2014

A West Coast native, Isabel Damiani has a firm picture of what she’s searching for in a college.

“For me, my education comes first before athletics, and I want to attend a top-notch liberal arts school,” she wrote TopDrawerSoccer.com in an email. “I am undecided about my major, but one of my interests is architecture, and I also enjoy math. The surrounding community is also important to me. In terms of soccer, I need to meet the coach and know more about their coaching style.”

The rising junior has hit up colleges on both coasts already, including a few Ivy League programs in the Northeast. She also used last week’s National Championship to showcase her abilities to the scores college coaches in attendance.

Along with that, Damiani is planning on staying busy this summer, attending a number of college ID camps and is looking forward to the Surf Cup for more opportunities to get in front of coaches.

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