Fri February 3, 2017 League 1 Ontario--17 League1 Women And Seven Men Made College Commitments For Signing Day 2017 (from League 1 Ontario website)

Fri February 3, 2017 League 1 Ontario--17 League1 Women And Seven Men Made College Commitments
For Signing Day 2017 (from League 1 Ontario website)
17 League1 Women And Seven Men Made College Commitments For Signing Day 2017
02/03/2017, 12:15pm EST
By League1 Ontario staff

National Signing Day, a day that players ready to graduate from high school this 
spring sign their university/ college declarations, featured a minimum 
of 16 League1 women and seven men's players in 2017.

Minimum is indeed accurate, for more League1 players may have also signed declarations, 
but not all did so at an publicly promoted event put on by their respective clubs.

And, of course, remaining players still have time to mull over their choice. The actual 
signing deadline for 2017 college/ university commitments is in the summer of 2017, 
though National Signing Day is a milestone warranting the pomp and flourish accorded 
by various clubs.

It is, after all, a huge accomplishment in a player's life. Barely one in five players 
are selected to advance to the college/ University field of play in the NCAA - widely 
considered the North American pathway for aspiring young professionals.  

Representing League1 Ontario were 16 players that have made appearances in the women's 
division over the past two season.

Leading the pack was the 2016 League1 Ontario Young Player of the Year, Aurora's 
Sarah Stratigakis, who made a commitment to one of the most recognizable brands 
in the NCAA game - the University of Michigan Wolverines.  

The Canadian U17 and U20 midfielder had a busy 2016, representing her country at both 
the U17 World Cup in Jordan and the U20 World Cup in Papua New Guinea, and 2017 has 
also started brightly.

Canadian Women's National Team manager John Herdman has already invited the 17 year old 
to the WNT camp in the U.S. at end of January, and named her to the February squad for 
a month filled of special events - the largest being a Bronze Medal Celebration match 
vs Mexico on February 5th.

Stratigakis' teammate at both Aurora FC and Canada U17 in 2016, goalkeeper 
Marissa Zucchetto, also declared on National Signing Day for Texas Tech. 

Another thirteen women that appeared for the League1 Ontario Woodbridge Striker's squad 
in 2016, but have since made the switch to new club Toronto Azzurri Blizzard, signed 
on the dotted line before the February 1st National Signing Day, including:

Michaela Hawthorn (Southeastern Louisiana); Malikae Dayes (University of Maryland); 
Taylor Johnston (University of Memphis); Emily Simmons (Green Bay Wisconsin); 
Sophia Borea (University of New Hampshire); Makayla Dayes (University of Maryland); 
Chiara Brown (University of Memphis); Sarah Owusu (Eastern Kentucky University); 
Alyssa Julien (Eastern Kentucky University); Teniola Odetoyinbo (York University 
– Schulich Business School); Katya Tarasoff (University of Guelph); 
Jada Ellis (Bradford University) and Ashlee Azisuddin (McMaster University). 

Additionally, three other players at Toronto Azzurri Blizzard made commitments 
at the same ceremony, and will play for the team in their inaugural 2017 season.

The three players and their respective commitments are: Dominika Philip (Humber College), 
Sam Murphy (University of Memphis) and Gabi Paupst (Bradford University).

2016 League1 Ontario Women's Champions, FC London, had starting centre-back 
Morgan Blair sign for Evansville University. 

2015 League1 Ontario Women's Champions, Durham United FA, had one player from 
their 2016 side make a commitment on National Signing Day; Harper Bennett made 
a commitment to Fairleigh Dickinson University.

A new League1 club for 2017, Unionville-Milliken also had some signings 
to announce for National Signing Day. League1 fans will be hoping to see the 
three players line-up for the team in the summer ahead, not least as the three 
are regulars in the Canada U17 squad. 

The group is comprised of Samantha Chang (South Carolina), Kennedy Faulknor (UCLA) 
and Shana Flynn (UCLA).

On the men's side, just over half a dozen League1 players made their 
post-secondary commitments. 

After three first round draft picks at the MLS SuperDraft in the last 
three years for Sigma's League1 Ontario players, the academy has earned the 
respect of many college scouts and programs in the States. By Signing Day, 
Sigma had three players with commitments south of the border. 

Faisal Ghaffur (Akron), Sean Merrick (Holy Cross) and Simon Triantafillou (Syracuse) 
were all valuable players for the west division powerhouse in the past couple years, 
and will look to follow in the footsteps of Cyle Larin, Richie Laryea and Kwame Awuah.

Toronto FC III is also sending three League1 regulars to American schools: 
goalkeeper Brogan Engbers (Liberty University), Glenn Muenkat (Pittsburgh) 
and Rocco Romeo (Michigan State).

Finally, 2016 League1 Ontario Men's Division champions, Vaughan Azzurri, have one 
grad heading to the deep south: Aidan O'Hara is off to University 
of Alabama Birmingham.
back to 2017 League 1 Ontario Men's index