When Megan Erskine left San Diego State and returned home to play for Ventura College last fall, the former Buena High star wasn't quite sure about her soccer future.

But the 2011 NSCAA All-American made her decision Tuesday, when she committed to the University of Tennessee.

"Everyone is all shocked that I'm leaving California," said the former U.S. youth international, who was also recruited by Ohio State, Oklahoma, Loyola Marymount, UCLA, Oregon and Washington State.

This time last year, Erskine, who finished second in the state with 14 assists last season, wasn't sure she wanted to continue playing or transfer outside of the state.

"I'm just in a different place now, I want to do it all on my own," Erskine said. "I was 16 when I started my recruiting process. I'm a little more mature now.

"Now I want to be with a team that makes me feel home rather than being close to home. That's what Tennessee offers."

On her official visit to Knoxville, Erskine watched the Volunteers play twice and also took in the Tennessee-Florida football game from the sidelines at Neyland Stadium.

For the first time in school history, the Ventura College women's soccer team has had two players named to the National Soccer Coaches Association of America's All-American team.

Sophomore midfielder Megan Erskine, named to the 11-player first team, became the fifth woman in school history to be honored as a first-team All-American. Freshman Daisy Cardona, named to the 11-player second team, is the program's 11th All-America selection in 16 seasons.

"They both are totally deserving," said Ventura coach Steve Hoffman. "It's very exciting."

Erskine, a Buena High product, finished second in the state with 14 assists, including three in a win at rival Moorpark, and scored five goals.

Cardona, also a Buena High product, had 20 goals and 14 assists. She was fifth in the state in points and sixth in goalscoring.

"That's pretty impressive, to have two kids in those groups," said Hoffman. "Usually, you risk splitting the vote. The only other time I've ever put two people up, we didn't get one."
With a 3.39 team GPA, Ventura was also earned the NSCAA's Team Academic Award, alongside the likes of Stanford, Yale and Harvard.

The No. 3-seeded Ventura College women's soccer team (18-3) is now the highest seed remaining in the Southern California regional playoffs after a wild Saturday that saw three top seeds eliminated.

"When I first heard that I was shocked," said midfielder Megan Erskine. "It puts more pressure on us, but that's a good thing."

VC will host No. 11 Cypress (13-4-4), a three-time state champion, for a berth in the regional finals tonight at 5:30 p.m.

The Pirates, ranked No. 13 nationally, edged No. 14 East Los Angeles 2-1 Saturday and topped Cypress 1-0 Sept. 3 on Merissa Campos' long-range strike.

"Our last game was not our best game," said Erskine. "I'm sure it was because people were nervous. But there's no reason to be nervous. We've played this team before."

All four of Cypress' wins over VC have come in the postseason.

"It's been one of those stories," said Ventura coach Steve Hoffman. "They're very physical. It's probably the toughest second-round match we've ever had."

The match will be webcast at http://www.HomefieldSports.com.

A sophomore-laden back line, a recruiting class full of promising freshman and one big-name transfer.

That's why the Ventura College women's soccer team will open up the season this weekend with the highest preseason ranking in school history.

The Pirates were ranked No. 5 when the National Soccer Coaches Association of America released its preseason two-year school poll.

"We're ranked pretty high," said Ventura coach Steve Hoffman, "and with the schedule we've got, we'll sink or swim."

Four of the Top 20 teams in the country are on the Pirates' schedule, including No. 7 Fresno City, No. 10 Santiago Canyon, No. 12 Cypress and No. 18 Los Angeles Pierce.

San Bernardino Valley, which ended the Pirates' season in last December's regional finals, is the nation's preseason No. 1.

After scrimmaging West Valley College Thursday in Saratoga, Ventura will open its season Saturday at DeAnza College in Cupertino.

Ventura returns several big pieces from a back line that kept 11 clean sheets a year ago, including goalkeeper Raelene Moreno, defenders Evelyn Medina, Kylee Haughton and Katelen Norris and midfielder Whitney Rosenheim.

The freshman class includes former Buena High forward Daisy Cardona, who scored in Thursday's scrimmage, and midfielder Hannah Ritchie returns to the team after a redshirt season.

"We've got good depth," said Hoffman. "It's a special group this year."

The Pirates received a big boost when former Buena High star Megan Erskine, who was called into a U.S. women's Under-20 national team camp in April, transferred in after playing 16 games for San Diego State last fall.

"It's like having a Joy Barry or a Chrissy Sanford," said Hoffman, comparing Erskine to the program's first two All-Americans.

Ventura will host its annual B.K. Sports Community College Classic next week, facing Long Beach City Sept. 1 and Cypress Sept. 3.