Rage goal keeper invited to elite adidas camp
Jessica Mickelson was one of 96 female youth soccer players in the nation selected to attend the adidas Elite Soccer Program, held Feb. 21-24 on the campus of Cal Poly Pomona in Pomona, Calif.Mickelson is a goal keeper for the Pleasanton Rage.
U.S. Women’s National Team captain Kristine Lilly kicked off the second annual program with a speech to motivate and inspire the players. Adidas ESP is a premier youth development program focused on providing soccer’s next generation of stars with a platform to showcase their skills.
The program is a sanctioned U.S. Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program that identifies the country’s best high school-aged players and provides them with a top-level, on-field training program along with a diverse off-field education curriculum. An estimated 60 coaches from colleges, universities and professional teams were expected to scout the players attending the program.
Former U.S. Women’s National Team and current U20 National Team head coach Tony DiCicco served as technical director and the coaching staff also includes former Women’s National Team members Keri Sanchez, Cindy Parlow, Danielle Fotopoulos and Thori Bryan.
Rage players sign letters of intent for college
Eight Pleasanton Rage players have signed letters of intent to play for colleges and universities nationwide.The third annual signing event was held Feb. 6.
Rage U17 Premier players who signed athletic scholarships to play soccer include: Alexa Douglas–Azusa Pacific, Morgan Celaya–DePaul University and Janelle Jin–Boise State. Rage U18 Premier players who signed include: Michelle Harrison–Idaho State, Brenna Schaff–U.C. Riverside, Alyssa Sterns–U.C. Riverside, Lani Amack–Washington State and Faustine Dufka–University of Washington
Since 2001, the Rage has had 125 players go on to play for colleges and universities nationwide. For a complete listing of Rage alumni and their accomplishments visit the Rage Web site at www.pleasantonrage.org/pgsa_alumni.htm.
–Tamie Grimes
