At this point, is there even a need to explain why a player commits to UCLA? 

Good program, good location, etc … etc … Oh yeah, and good players. Claire Winter has added her name to the list after she chose the Bruins for the 2013 season.

Winter, of Lamorinda United, is our No. 7 ranked player in the Northern California & Hawaii Region. Previously called into the U.S. Soccer I.D. camp, she’s a talented attacker who knows as much about UCLA as any recruit should.

“Their system is familiar to me – it stresses unselfish play with huge movement off the ball, trying to create a game that is pretty to watch and fun to play,” she said. “They have a super dynamic coaching staff that emphasizes player development and team chemistry.”

Winter plans on emphasizing attacking once she arrives. Knowing she wanted to stay in California, she also considered Stanford, St. Mary’s and California before deciding the Bruins were the best program to showcase her skills.

“I hope to bring creativity and intelligence to the field as an attack minded midfielder,” Winter said. “I want to give 110 percent effort to the game and score goals and make an impact on the program.”

It seems the program has made quite the impact on her. 

Krystina Iordanou (Albertson SC) has verbally committed to Vanderbilt for the 2013 season. She is No. 8 in the New York Region. 

Alexa Keney (Connecticut FC) has verbally committed to Connecticut for the 2013 season. She is No. 5 in the Northeast Region. 

Sydney Omweg (Virginia Rush) has verbally committed to Belmont for the 2012 season. 

Bri Jasenak (Virginia Rush) has verbally committed to Middle Tennessee State for the 2012 season. 

Abby Lindsay (Eden Prairie SC) has verbally committed to South Dakota for the 2012 season. 

Heidi Hartmann (Eden Prairie SC) has verbally committed to Wisconsin-Green Bay for the 2012 season. 

Lynsie Shaw (Classics Elite) has verbally committed to Stephen F. Austin State for the 2012 season. 

Chelsea Howe (Vardar) has verbally committed to Wisconsin-Milwaukee for the 2012 season. 

Alexandria Carter (Arkansas Rush) has verbally committed to Kentucky for the 2013 season. Carter is No. 9 in the South Region. 

Jackie Georgoulis (Eclipse Select) has verbally committed to Kansas for the 2013 season.