Leah Celarek, Midfielder/Forward, Sockers FC
IMG Academy 150: #105
Class: 2015
Commitment: Marquette

While soccer held a particular place of prominence, academics played a significant role in Leah Celarek’s college serach.

The IMG Academy 150 midfielder has her heart set on majoring in Physical Therapy, so if a school didn’t offer it, they were crossed off her list of prospective programs.

A visit to Marquette and a meeting with the coaching staff sealed the deal. 

“Upon my arrival, I immediately bonded with head coach Markus Roeders and associate head coach Frank Pelaez,” Celarek told TopDrawerSoccer.com. “Their ‘Marquette Family’ mindset was easy to see and everyone I met on campus spoke of it. I also know that they have done an excellent job developing all of their players that come to the program, and have been there for 17 years, building the program into a Top 20 caliber team. That mindset, along with being just 2 hours away from my hometown, meant an awful lot to me, and was something I knew I wanted to be a part of. “

A determined player with good pace, Celarek can play both up front and in the midfield, and thinks that she’ll easily transition into the way Marquette likes to play. 

“The Marquette style of play fits very well with how I play,” she said. “I had watched them play several games last fall and they were really a lot of fun to watch. I had gone to many college soccer games over the past year and watched many teams play. After watching Marquette play, I came away with a ‘wow, that was really good soccer.’ To have the chance to be part of that is really exciting.”

 

Haleigh Guerra, Defender, Internationals SC
IMG Academy 150: #109
Class: 2015
Commitment: Texas

A versatile player who can line up in several different spots on the field, Haleigh Guerra sees her collegiate path taking her to medical school, and it helped influence her commit to Texas' soccer program. 

“I want to pursue a career in medicine and they are currently building what will be one of the top medical schools in the country,” she told TopDrawerSoccer.com. “As for athletics, their programs and facilities are top notch. The support that they provide student athletes is amazing.”

Head coach Angela Kelly is entering her second season in charge of the team this fall, and Guerra believes in the direction Kelly is taking the team.

“I am sure that Texas women's soccer will be a national power in the near future and I am really excited that I will have the opportunity to be a member of a team that will compete at the highest level,” she said. “I was impressed that the goal at Texas is not simply to participate in the tournament, but to win. All of the coaches at Texas have played at the highest level. They have succeeded and know what it takes to win at that level.”

 

Other commitments:

Forward Julie Gavorski (Cleveland Soccer Academy) committed to Cincinnati for the class of 2014.

Forward Melissa Vajskop (Ohio Premier) committed to Cincinnati for the class of 2014.

Defender Rachelle Topolewski (Michigan Hawks) committed to Saint Louis for the class of 2015.

Midfielder Jaycie Brown (Cleveland United SC) committed to Cincinnati for the class of 2014.

Goalkeeper Jaeden Chew (Crossfire Premier SC) committed to Cincinnati for the class of 2014.

Defender Katherine Fylling (D’Feeters) committed to Houston for the class of 2015.

Midfielder Kathryn Tarnai (Richmond Strikers) committed to St. Bonaventure for the class of 2014.

Goalkeeper Bristal Hadley-Mautino (Real So Cal) committed to Indiana for the class of 2015.

Midfielder Sydney Smedley (McLean Youth Soccer committed to Wingate for the class of 2014.

Forward Samantha Dewey (Carmel United Soccer Club) committed to Xavier for the class of 2015.