The courtship started in the winter. Mercer first saw Maggie Cropp play in December’s ECNL College Cup Showcase. Cropp, a De Anza Force standout apparently played well enough for her and Mercer coach Grant Serafy to keep in touch over the next eight months.

Bonds like that aren’t easily broken, and the Bears program was recently rewarded for their rapport when Cropp made her verbal commitment to Mercer for the 2012 season.  

The West Coast goalkeeper is officially heading east.

“Most of my friends are staying on the West Coast but I’m happy to be heading the other way,” she said. “I attended the Mercer Soccer camp in late.

July and was finally able to visit the campus and meet the coaches in person.  I fell in love with the campus and the program. I was totally impressed with everything the school and team had to offer.”

What Cropp has to offer is an arsenal that has her ranked No. 10 in our Northern California and Hawaii Region. She plays with maturity and should transition well to the college game.

Fellow region standout Kellyn Nelson, of Lake Oswego SC, has verbally committed to Gonzaga for the 2012 season. Nelson is No. 13 in the Pacific Northwest Top 20 and has the potential to bring some positive attributes to the midfield.

Throughout her career, Nelson has shown great tenacity and strength in the air for her size. She also reads the game well and has leadership qualities.

Now for the rest of the girls’ commits:

Shayna Blackwood (Match Fit) has verbally committed to Northeastern for the 2012 season

Maryalice McKenna (NEFC) has verbally committed to NC State for the 2012 season.

Abby Frick (SC United) has verbally committed to Winthrop for the 2012 season.

Elizabeth Johnson (North Atlanta Soccer Association) has verbally committed to Georgia for the 2012 season.

Elisabetta Impagliazzo (Slammers FC) has verbally committed to Tulsa for the 2012 season.

Cheyenne Hall (Empire United) has verbally committed to Mississippi for the 2013 season.

Emily Jorgenson (KCFC) has verbally committed to Middle Tennessee State for the 2012 season.

Natasha Howe (West Coast United) has verbally committed to Seattle for the 2012 season.

Lauren Harriman (Atlanta Fire United SA) has verbally committed to Georgia State for the 2012 season. Harriman is No. 19 in the South Atlantic Region.

Kensey Waterman (Scorpions SC) has verbally committed to Siena College for the 2012 season.

Bria West (West Michigan Fire) has verbally committed to UNC Asheville for the 2012 season.

Jen Andresen (World Class FC) has verbally committed to Rutgers for the 2013 season.

Kara Maguire (Soccer Domain Football Club 09) has verbally committed to Iona College for the 2012 season.