Claire Wheatley, Solar Chelsea SC
Commitment: Verbal to Illinois for the 2013 season.
Reason: “Illinois got on my list in the first place because it was where both my parents went. As soon as I visited I fell in love with the coaches and the atmosphere of the team. The campus is amazing and it's a big school with a lot of spirit which is really important to me so it felt like the obvious decision. I had no problems committing as early as I did and I definitely feel it was the perfect choice.”

There are a lot of things that make Wheatley a unique talent, and the No. 89 ranked player in the 2013 Top 150 class, not the least of which are her pregame rituals.

“I like to have a little dance party by myself to get pumped up,” she said. “Plus, I’m really superstitious about what I have on for each game.”

With a resume that includes U.S. youth national teams and a skill set that makes her one of the better goalkeepers in the country, who can argue with Wheatley’s approach?

“I play the game because I love it! I like to have fun but I know when it's time to get serious and I put everything I have on the field,” she said.

Other girls’ commitments:

Mykayla Brown (Carmel United) has verbally committed to Indiana for the 2014 season. She is ranked No. 124 in the Top 150

Maison Haase (Richmond Strikers) has verbally committed to Lafayette for the 2013 season.

Ellie Sullivan (Richmond Strikers) has verbally committed to Richmond for the 2013 season.

Janie Thompson (BVSC) has verbally committed to Trinity (Texas) for the 2013 season.

Tori Collar (McLean Youth Soccer) has verbally committed to Liberty for the 2013 season.

Giovanna Parker (Soccer Plus CT) has verbally committed to Dartmouth for the 2014 season.

BOYS

Jonathan Azzinnari (New York Red Bulls) has verbally committed to Georgetown for the 2014 season.

Daniel Gonzalez (FC Delco) has verbally committed to Lehigh for the 2013 season.

Henry Flugstad-Clarke (PDA) has verbally committed to Yale for the 2013 season.

Cameron Kirdzik (PDA) has verbally committed to Yale for the 2013 season.

Justin Worley (Lehigh Valley United) has verbally committed to Lehigh for the 2013 season.

Zackary Pinnix (San Diego Surf) has verbally committed to Cal State Fullerton for the 2013 season.

Kurt Meyers (ABGC Force) has verbally committed to Liberty for the 2013 season.

Ian Dempsey (Huntsville FC) has verbally committed to Presbyterian for the 2013 season.

Eric Lynch has verbally committed to Wright State for the 2013 season.