BOCA U18 BOYS COLLEGE COMMITMENTS

Nine boys from the Boca U18 team have made college commitments and two others are still in the final stages of the decision process. Unlike many others, CASA does not make the false or exaggerated promises of college scholarships. However, we are committed to helping our youngsters make their college choices by directing them to have the perspective of identifying the best fit for them academically, athletically and otherwise. We recognize that the most important factors in determining where youngsters go to college are their high school academic profile and their other talents such as soccer, music etc. Our efforts in helping with college recruiting and college choice are therefore focused on helping the youngsters assess their academic and soccer talents and then looking for the colleges that would provide the best match for each individual. These efforts have been helpful and we are gratified that recently all of our high school senior girls made their commitments to colleges based on those realities.

Now eleven of our boys are on their way to colleges with nine having already made the commitments and two more decisions are imminent. In all cases, soccer was an important consideration, but our efforts have been to help our youngsters look for a balance so that they did not fall into the trap of responding to the first college that offers a scholarship or to base the decision simply on what college offered the most financial enticement. The individual objective realities are different and the arrangements range from those commanding full soccer scholarships to academic scholarships, need-based financial aid and other grants and loans. We congratulate our youngsters on their decisions and know that they must be relieved that the process is over. Here are the graduating seniors and the colleges they will attend:

• Mustafa Chopan: UC Davis
• Jeffrey Sinclair: UCLA
• Corey Cullington: UCSB
• Jordan Harris: SF State
• Michael Strobel: Chico State
• Manuel Cardenas: Cal State East Bay
• Chris Prado: Cal State East Bay
• Nate Curry: Azusa Pacific
• Andrew Ball: Sonoma State
• Steven Gutierrez: (pending)
• Ulysses Dominguez: (pending)

As we move forward into the month of June, the young Boca players in the U8 Player Development Program (PDP) will start their first practice on Tuesday, June 3rd at Riviera East Park. Practice will begin at 5pm and end at 6:30pm. The park has plenty of shade and is quite conducive for our U8 players to grow and prosper.

New to the program this year are designated Play Days and a Winter Session for our Boca players. The Play Days are designed to give the players the opportunity to play against outside competition. All games will be played in a 4v4 format to encourage plenty of touches on the ball. We are hoping to build friendly relationships with our neighboring recreational teams and also other competitive clubs that invest time into their U8 programs.

The Winter Session features Futsal and the Indoor Soccer game. Both types of soccer are important to developing comfort and confidence on the ball. It also encourages the player to be creative and take risks to play insightful soccer on the field. The Winter Session is open to boys and girls in the U8 - U10 category.

We look forward to seeing you on the field. GO BOCA!!!

The Boca team did a great job supporting Komen Sacramento Race for the Cure. Our team raised a total of $3,600.00, which was well beyond our previously set goal. Our top earner was Natalie Brown from the U11 Boca Jrs 97 team. She raised $2,170.00.

We had a total of 37 Boca players and family members participate on Race Day. We started the day with a big group picture, followed by a picnic breakfast. Many of the Boca players ran the entire race and finished in record time.

We want to thank everyone for their efforts to support this very important event.

Jennifer Ericsson scored a most amazing goal at the Laguna Eclipse College Showcase in Temecula last weekend! I only wish we had a video of it because no description would do justice to it! Jen also known as "Fast Jen" was playing at left fullback for the Boca Girls Academy team at the time. Her teammate Allie had just intercepted a through ball from the opponent and faked a clearance and cut left and dribbled left and passed the ball to Jen about 25 yards in front of her own goal at the left back position.

Jen proceeded to go on a Lionel Messy-like dribble at speed beating four opponents before getting to the half way line. There while at full speed she was confronted with a much bigger defender who essentially blocked her passage. Jen without hesitation nut-megged the player (put the ball through the legs) and continued on and beat one more player. At this moment Jen saw a teammate on the left wing and almost passed her the ball but instantly realized that her teammate was in an off side position so she cut back to her right and had to evade two more defenders by cutting left. At this time she realized she was inside the opponents' penalty area near the left corner and instinctively shot high to the far post and scored at the top far corner of the goal sending everyone on the Boca sideline to a frenzied celebration mixed with looks of disbelief! What a goal!

Join us for a Boca family picnic at Larchmont on Sunday, June 8 from 10:00-2:00.

The coach v coach soccer game will be at 11:00.

The juggle-a-thon will be at 1:00. Get your sponsors and bring your ball. This is a great way to raise funds for your team.

Lunch will be catered by Off the Vine Catering, owned by two Boca parents, Dave and Jackie Hansen. The cost is $5 per person.

This is a remarkable story that demonstrates the heights that can be achieved by good sportsmanship - -this is a level we can all strive for and hope to achieve - -enjoy- - Gary

By Andy Gardiner, USA TODAY -- The Western Oregon softball team has turned its focus back to competition after a topsy-turvy week that began with a singular act of sportsmanship that has attracted national attention.

The Wolves, who play in Division II, opened a three- game showdown with Seattle on Thursday as they go after their first Great Northwest Athletic Conference title. Western Oregon has a shot at that crown in part because of a unique victory vs. Central Washington last Saturday.

In the second game of a doubleheader, WOU's Sara Tucholsky slammed what appeared to be a three-run homer over the centerfield fence, the senior's first in either high school or college. But Tucholsky wrenched her knee at first base and collapsed.

Umpires ruled that a pinch-runner could replace Tucholsky, but she would be credited with a single and only two runs would count. After being assured there was no rule against it, Central Washington first baseman Mallory Holtman and shortstop Liz Wallace carried Tucholsky around the bases, completing her homer and adding a run to a 4-2 loss that eliminated the Wildcats from postseason.

As word of the game spread, Tucholsky and Holtman have been featured on national television and radio, and written about in newspapers across the country. "It has been magical and crazy at the same time," Tucholsky said Thursday. "I'm surprised at how many people have paid attention to this and how far the story has gone. But there are so many negative images of athletes now. Here is one with a positive image."

Holtman, who had the idea to assist Tucholsky, has also been caught off guard by the ripples. "At the time, we never thought it would be that big a deal. It just seemed like something anyone would have done," Holtman said. "I've probably had 50 e-mails and text messages from people I've never met, thanking me. It's really cool that people have responded to this so positively."

Not all the responses have been pleasant. One person labeled Holtman a selfish player who did not consider her teammates. Tucholsky received an e- mail criticizing women's lack of competitive spirit.

"That really bothered me," said Tucholsky, who fears she has a torn ligament that will end her career. "We are very definitely competitive, but this was a situation were sportsmanship overrode our competitiveness."

Wolves' coach Pam Knox has tried to prepare her team for its championship push while putting Saturday's game in perspective.

"When it happened I knew it was the best moment in my coaching career," she said. "I started calling my friends and family and they cried when I told them the story. So I knew this was something bigger than just me being emotional.

"Some people are trying to say this is something men would never have done. I think that's an unfair statement. You would hope guys would have the character to do the right thing at the right time."

Knox gives Tucholsky major credit for serving as the lightning rod for all the reporters (she was up at 2:30 a.m. Thursday for a TV interview), allowing her teammates to focus on the Seattle series.

"I'm from a small town, and I'm actually pretty shy, so all this is strange to me," Tucholsky said. "But we have some big games to play. I don't want all this to distract from what our team is trying to do."

With many new faces this year, the Boca '97 Girls are off to a great start coming out of their bracket in 1st place of the NorCal Premier Spring League's preliminary round.

Throughout our games thus far, the girls have handled the ball well, keeping it on the opponent's half during the majority of the games while constantly pressuring the goal. The girls have demonstrated a real passion for the game and a strong desire to become better soccer students under the thoughtful teachings of Coaches Melissa Cavitt and Katie Ulan. One opponent's coach shared with Coach Melissa that he prides his team in being a highly technical group, yet felt that the Boca '97 Girls demonstrated a noticeable edge in that aspect during their contest together.

As we look forward to this summer's training and tournament schedule we can be assured that the team will continue to grow together, learn together and play good soccer together as another example of the Boca teaching philosophy in action.

Go Boca and Go '97 Girls!!!

How long have you been involved with Boca? 1 1/2 years

What position do you play? Goal keeper

Who is your favorite player? Peter Schmeichel

Which professional team do you support? Man U

Do you have any nicknames? Goalie

What is your favorite formation to play? 1-1-8 (a bit unusual, but that is a goalie for you)

What are your strengths? Communication

What are things you need to work on? My joke telling

What are some of your favorite foods? Waffles, French toast, steak

If you could only watch one movie for the rest of your days, what would it be? 300

If I looked at recorded shows on your DVR, I would see? Family Guy and House

The movie is "my soccer career". What would be the best highlight? Winning state cup (U14 Nevada)

Give me 3 of the most played songs on your iPod. Lollipop (Lil Wayne), Touch My Body (Mariah Carey), Im Shining (Packs)

Mercedes or BMW? BMW Who will win the European Championships? France What are some goalie tips for all the young Boca players out there? Talk!

Just to let you know Brandon is one of three players on the U18 Academy team that commute all the way from Carson City, Nevada. They are usually the first to arrive at practice, so remember your commute could be worse. Special thanks to these boys and their families for their dedication and love of the game.

How long have you been involved with Boca? 6 years

What position do you play?Forward or attacking mid

What are some of the teams you have played for? Sac Scorpion, Sac Knights, Monterey Fury, Cleveland Force, Dallas Sidekicks, Philadelphia Kicks, Mississippi Beach Kings, California Cougars

Who is your favorite player? Ronaldinho

Which professional team do you support? Man United

Do you have any nicknames? Predator, Ziggy,

What is your favorite formation to play? 3-5-2

What are your strengths? Speed, quickness, goal scoring ability

What are things you need to work on? Connecting all my video game wires

What are some of your favorite foods? Mom's cornbread, dad's ribs, grandma's chicken and dumpling

If you could only watch one movie for the rest of your days, what would it be? Enter the dragon

If I looked at recorded shows on your DVR, I would see? Martin Larence , New York under cover

The movie is "my soccer career". What would be the best highlight? Winning championship with sac knights (sweet, I am in that highlight) and becoming a bobble head not once but multiple times (I have an Antonio Sutton bobblehead)

Give me 3 of the most played songs on your iPod. Run Out Pon Dem (Sizzla), Magalenha (Sergio Mendes) , Come Around (Collie Buddz) Mercedes or BMW? Mercedes Who will win the European Championships? Portugal What are some tips for all the young Boca players out there? Train hard!

For those of you that do not know Tony, he is a person of high quality. He is a great player and a great teammate. We are very lucky to have him as coach at Boca!

The Boca Jrs 93 Girls U15 team is ready to start 2008 - 09 season strong. Headed up with a WPSL California Storm player, new Coach Betsy Barr is ready to take this team to a higher level. With the help and support of Assistant Coach Frank Ramirez, she has great plans for this defensively strong team.

Zoe Earl-Lynn, Ashley Matarelli, and Natalie Ochoa will join the strong group of returning core players to form one of the strongest, competitive and athletic teams in the greater Sacramento area.

U15 girls will compete in San Juan's Cal-Cup at the end of June to kick off their season. This is one of the area's biggest college showcase tournaments. Stay tuned for great things to come!

Go Boca!!!

Make it a Joyful June for Loved Ones and Capital Athletic Soccer Academy.

Take time to celebrate your dad, your grad and Capital Athletic Soccer Academy. Shop the June OneCause Coupons and Deals to save money on the perfect gifts and earn much-needed contributions for Capital Athletic Soccer academy with every purchase you make at well-known merchants, including 1-800- FLOWERS.COM, Land's End, and Golfsmith. Shop to make a difference today!

Go to OneCause.Com for Father's Day and Graduation Specials.

Save 15% on an FTD bouquet for graduation day (7.5% contribution).

Send 1-800-FLOWES.COM for Up to 25% Off through 6/30/08 (10% contribution).

Save $9 on Land's End tip-proof totes when you buy 3 (5% contribution).

Save up to $200 on Circuit City laptops for your grad (1.5% contribution).

Save 15% on Dancing Deer Baking Co. treats! Code AF807 through 8/31/08 (5% contribution).

Shop Golfsmith online through OneCause.Com or in stores with OneCause Platinum Visa to save on golf and tennis apparel (3% contribution).

Cause Something Good. Always start your everyday shopping at www.onecause.com

If you work for a company that supports United Way, consider designating Capital Athletic Soccer Academy for your donation.

Have a team meeting at a Mountain Mike's Pizza and help raise funds for CASA.