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Nicole Wilkinson, Midfielder, Slammers FC
Class: 2014
Commitment: Michigan

For midfielder Nicole Wilkinson, making her commitment to play at Michigan next fall was strongly influenced by the university’s blend of sports and academics.

“I knew Michigan was the right place for me because of the great balance it offers between school and soccer,” she told TopDrawerSoccer.com. “With Michigan being such an academic school and having such strong sports programs, it seemed like an incredible place to be a student athlete. The school has so much spirit and there was such a great energy when I went to visit campus.”

Under former U.S. Women’s National Team head coach Greg Ryan, the program has slowly blossomed into a national force, with a promising start to the 2013 campaign underway. That was just one of the many things she like about the team.

“I was drawn to the Wolverines program for a number of reasons,” she said. “All of the coaches are very positive and supportive and the facilities are amazing. Coach Ryan was very encouraging and made sure to let me know how I would fit into the program. Also, the girls were really close and very enthusiastic about the future of the team.”

It always seems like a little bit of a surprise to see a California native leave the state, but Wilkinson wanted to use college as a change to experience new things – plus she has extended family near the school.

“Since I have lived in Southern California all my life, I have always wanted to go to school in a state where I could experience real seasons,” she said. “I have always thought of college as a time to encounter something new, and the college town atmosphere and different climate that Ann Arbor offer will allow me to do just that. Also, since my grandparents live near Ann Arbor they will be able to come watch me play and it will be convenient for my parents to come to games as well.”

Claudia Day, Midfielder, Birmingham United SA
Class: 2014
Commitment: Wake Forest

Previously committed to Samford, Claudia Day jumped at the chance to make a new commitment to the Demon Deacons for next fall.

“My dream has always been to play soccer at Wake Forest,” she told TopDrawerSoccer.com. “Wake was a better fit, because it also has one of the consistently best soccer programs in the country. Wake has 17 straight NCAA Tournament appearances, and they made it to the semifinals in 2011.”

Like many other recruits, the opportunity to compete against the best players in the Division I college level played a large role in the process.

“Playing in the ACC was a big part of my decision,” she said. “As the top soccer conference, it will provide me with the most competitive college soccer in the whole country.”

Day also said that the school’s eight-hour drive from home, which is “far, but not too far,” factored into the decision, as did the team’s coaches.

“The coaching staff at Wake Forest also played a role in my decision, since I will be spending a large amount of time with them throughout college,” she said. “Coach [Tony] da Luz and rest of the coaches are all incredible people that happen to also be great coaches.”

Other commitments:

Forward Alyssa Pejic (Gulf Coast Texans) committed to South Alabama for the class of 2014.

Defender Mary August (Maryland Rush) committed to Navy for the class of 2015.

Midfielder Brooke Stoermer (Solar Chelsea) committed to Colorado Mines for the class of 2014.

Goalkeeper Reilley Ott (D’Feeters) committed to Michigan State for the class of 2015.

Midfielder Sofia Chambers (Real So Cal) committed to Oregon for the class of 2015.