Yup, you read that right. One soccer prospect based her college decision on football.

Jennifer Gebhardt, Tustin United
Commitment: Verbally committed to Houston Baptist(w) for the 2013 season.
Reason: There were three essential reasons Gebhardt chose Houston Baptist:  1. She wanted to go to college in the state of Texas. 2. She wanted to attend a Christian school. 3. They had a football team.

A football team?

“I think it’s important to have a football team in order to get the full college experience,” Gebhardt said. “My brother played college football and I really enjoy it.”

Well, lucky for the Huskies then, as they just added a football program for this fall. Gebhardt, a center back, caught the eye of head soccer coach Misty Jones at the Texas Shootout last year and the rest is history.

Charlotte Anderson, Wolfpack SC
Commitment: Signed to Notre Dame for the 2012 season
Reason: “Notre Dame has special significance because the coach, Randy Waldrum, is one of the best in the country in developing players.  I recently graduated from high school as valedictorian and so Notre Dame’s high academics were even more influential in my choice.”

Anderson is a hard-working center back who prides herself on being able to read the game well.

Amanda Buck, Albertson Fury
Commitment: Verbally committed to Wagner for the 2013 season.
Reason: “Wagner was chosen because it is a highly regarded school with an excellent Physician Assistant program, which is my career goal.  It also had a beautiful campus and was not that far from home.”

Buck is a midfield player who comes from a great club environment and a standout club pedigree. Cousins Eric McKenna (committed to Villanova for 2013) and Keith McKenna (plays at Stony Brook) have already laid a nice foundation in the college game for Amanda to follow.  
 
In other commitment news:

Seyla Perez (Cleveland United SC) has verbally committed to Pittsburgh for the 2014 season.

Kelly Novak (Cleveland United SC) has verbally committed to Kentucky for the 2014 season.

Jaycie Brown (Cleveland United SC) has verbally committed to Central Michigan for the 2014 season.

Paige Amodio (Cleveland United SC) has verbally committed to Bowling Green for the 2013 season.

Alex Srolis (PA Classics) has verbally committed to West Chester for the 2013 season.

Brianna Johnson (Solar Chelsea) has verbally committed to Iowa State for the 2013 season.