Big sister first, soccer player second.

Empire United SA standout Jackie Firenze recently announced that she has changed her 2012 verbal commitment from Boston University to Syracuse, where her sister Emma Firenze will also be attending in 2013.

Jackie's decision to stay closer to home will keep her closely linked to sister Emma, who also competes for Empire, and could help to ease her transition to college life. Not that she’ll need many advantages. 

Jackie is the No. 99 ranked player in her Top 100 class and a midfielder with good skill and promise. She’ll pave the way at Syracuse for Emma, who is a fine player in her own right and is ranked No. 7 in the 2013 New York Region. 

In other commitment news, we have a big group of announcements this week:

Hayley Romero (Irvine Strikers) has verbally committed to Central Arkansas for the 2012 season. 

Alyssa Fratarcangeli (CFC United) has verbally committed to Amherst for the 2013 season. She’s No. 14 in the Northeast Region. 

Samantha Cordum (FC Nova) has verbally committed to William & Mary for the 2012 season. 

Christina Mangels (Albertson SC) has verbally committed to Georgetown for the 2013 season. Mangels is No. 13 in the New York Region.  

Erin Holland (Eclipse Select) has verbally committed to Marquette for the 2013 season. She is No. 13 in Midwest Region. 

Jenna Miller (Eclipse Select) has verbally committed to Illinois for the 2013 season. 

Courtney Forte (Dallas Texans) has verbally committed to Oklahoma for the 2013 season. She is No. 14 in the Texas Region. 

Madison McNamara (FC Portland) has verbally committed to Washington for the 2013 season. 

Sarah Pandolfi (Connecticut FC) has verbally committed to Massachusetts for the 2013 season. 

Murielle Tiernan (FC Virginia) has verbally committed to Virginia Tech for the 2013 season. 

Ashlynn Harryman (Slammers FC) has verbally committed to Texas A&M for the 2013 season. 

Samantha Zarling (Lamorinda United 94) has verbally committed to Colorado College for the 2012 season. 

Ashley Booth (FCV Cardinals) has verbally committed to William & Mary for the 2012 season.

Leci Irvin (SOCA) has verbally committed to William & Mary for the 2012 season. 

Mallory Ullrich (Chantilly SC) has verbally committed to UNC Greensboro for the 2012 season. 

Kaylee Hohein (Chantilly Youth Association) has verbally committed to Kentucky for the 2013 season. 

Michela Paradiso (Ohio Premier Eagles SC) has verbally committed to Ohio State for the 2012 season. 

Morgan Wolcott (Cincinnati Soccer Alliance) has verbally committed to Ohio State for the 2012 season. 

Melanie Hovencamp (Maryland Rush) has verbally committed to South Carolina Upstate for the 2012 season. 

Nicole Candioglos (Eastside FC) has verbally committed to UNLV for the 2012 season. 

Haley Silverberg (Albion Hurricanes FC) has verbally committed to Stephen F. Austin for the 2013 season. 

Morgan Batcheller (San Diego Surf) has verbally committed to Cal State Fullerton for the 2012 season. 

Kasey Wyer (South Carolina United) has verbally committed to Palm Beach Atlantic for the 2012 season. 

Ashton Norman (D’Feeters) has verbally committed to Stephen F. Austin for the 2012 season. 

Morgan Williams (North United) has verbally committed to Kent State for the 2013 season. 

Anna Claire Studebaker (Charlotte Soccer Academy) has verbally committed to South Carolina for the 2013 season. 

Samantha Melton (St. Louis Scott Gallagher) has verbally committed to Eastern Kentucky for the 2012 season. 

Amani Thomas (Pickering Power Green) has verbally committed to Eastern Kentucky for the 2012 season. 

Carolyn Schwartz (FC Europa) has verbally committed to Hartford for the 2012 season. 

Mallory Peterson (Quickstrike FC) has verbally committed to Penn State for the 2012 season.

Heidi Hartmann (Eden Prairie SC) has verbally committed to Wisconsin Green Bay for the 2012 season. 

Abby Lindsay (Eden Prairie SC) has verbally committed to South Dakota for the 2012 season. 

Samantha Washuk (SoccerPlus CT) has verbally committed to Manhattan for the 2012 season. 

Kristen Bailey Yoo (Legends FC) has verbally committed to Utah Valley for the 2012 season.