Meredith Hummel, Goalkeeper, So Cal Blues

IMG Academy 150 Ranking: 47

Class: 2015

Commitment: Texas A&M

A top netminder on the West Coast, Meredith Hummel – who likes to go by Mia – recently made the decision to join the rising power at Texas A&M in the fall of 2015.

It was a pretty straightforward process for her.

“I decided to commit to A&M because they really just had everything I was looking for,” she told TopDrawerSoccer.com. “Of course I wanted a great soccer program which they have, but I also wanted a big football school and a school with great academics.”

One thing that stood out to Hummel in particular, aside from the nice blend of athletics, was the similarities between the school’s team and her So Cal Blues side.

“I really love the style that Texas A&M plays because I feel like it is similar to the way my team plays,” she said. “I also love the coaches and the environment at Ellis field. I love to have pressure and have lots of people at games and A&M has that.”

The decision was more than just the sports, as well, as there were several things she liked about the school.

“What appealed to me about the school itself was, first of all, the academics,” she said. “Secondly, I love the campus and I think it is beautiful. Lastly, I love all the traditions that A&M has and I really don't think I could've chosen a school that is more perfect for me.”

 

Camille Didio, Defender, Immaculate Heart Academy (New Jersey)

Class: 2014

Commitment: Northwestern

Throughout her playing career, Camille Didio has played every position but goalkeeper. She’ll take that experience to the Big 10 in the fall of 2014.

However, the decision wasn’t a simple one, but rather a result of a long and thorough search process.

“After looking at some great schools like Boston College, Louisville and St. John's, the combination of a great academic school and the challenge of competing in the Big 10 conference was appealing,” she told TopDrawerSoccer.com. “Northwestern has a beautiful suburban campus located a short distance from Chicago. Coaches [Michael] Moynihan and [David] Nikolic were really great during my college search and they made it easy for me to commit to their program.”

The challenge of helping a team turn things around – Northwestern finished 10th in the conference this past fall – was also actually a strong lure for the versatile talent.

“The opportunity to be part of turning around a program was appealing to me,” she said. “I believe I have the ability to make a positive contribution to the team early in my career. I want to be on the field as a freshman and hopefully, I will earn that opportunity and Coaches Moynihan and Nikolic will give me that chance.”

 

Other commitments:

Brenda DiDonna, a forward for Albertson SC (New York) committed to Albany for the class of 2013.

Kiana Rugar, a forward for Yankee United Blaze, committed to Albany for the class of 2013.

Kristin Haugstad from Nesodden, Norway, verbally committed to La Salle for the class of 2013.

Vittorio Sbrocca (Vardar SC) committed to Oakland for the class of 2013.