Recently committed to college or interested in having your commitment featured on TopDrawerSoccer.com? Email us at commit@topdrawersoccer.com.

Sophia Serafin, Defender, West Coast FC
IMG Academy 150: #36
Class: 2017
Commitment: Stanford

Sophia Serafin’s desire to play soccer Stanford has been a goal of hers for quite some time.

Sophia Serafin

It’s a fitting destination for an athletic outside back that likes to get forward and become involved in the team’s attack, a staple for the Cardinal for several years.

“I have always wanted to go to Stanford ever since I was little,” she told TopDrawerSoccer.com. “The soccer program is fantastic. They play very much the same style as my club team, West Coast and I do. The outside backs are very involved in the attack and help to keep possession.”

The defender from California was very impressed by head coach Paul Ratcliffe and the entire coaching staff, not to mention the school’s sparkling academic reputation and conference competition.

“I know that [the coaches] will be able to help me progress my game to new levels,” she said. “The next reason why I chose Stanford was because of the superb academics and the variety of fields of study to choose to major in. I will be able to receive a top education there. I also love the location of Stanford and the large campus. Finally, I really liked that Stanford is in the Pac-12. It will provide tough competition that will challenge, but also benefit the team and myself.”

A defender who amassed 13 goals and 8 assists last year in the 2013-14 ECNL campaign for West Coast FC, Serafin is the first verbal commitment to Stanford’s 2017 recruiting class.

Maggie Gruber, Midfielder, Soccer Association of Columbia
Class: 2016
Commitment: High Point

A hard-working, gritty midfielder from Maryland, Maggie Gruber found the ideal college fit for her in North Carolina. 

“I decided to commit to High Point because of the exceptional facilities and the way the coaching staff, and entire school made me feel welcome and at home,” she told TopDrawerSoccer.com.

A close-knit locker room appealed to her, along with the program’s goal to improve on a daily basis, both on and off the field.

“I loved how the team has a family-like relationship with each other, and are always pushing each other to become both better people and better soccer players,” Gruber said. “I also liked the way the coaches have such a good relationship with the players.”

MORE: ECNL scoreboard | Girls commitments | 2016 Girls IMG Academy Top 150 

Away from the soccer program, Gruber discovered a vibrant campus setting along with an ideal student population.

“The campus and facilities at High Point are second to none which greatly impacted my decision,” she said. “The size of the school was just the right fit, and it had good programs for all of my possible majors.”

---

RECOMMENDED FOR YOU

Tracking Men's DI Automatic Bids

Rocky Mountains High School Roundup - Nov.

Pacific NW High School Roundup - Nov.