DCE soccer player commits to UW-Green Bay

WESTON – D.C. Everest has been a pipeline program of sorts for the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay women’s soccer team this year.

Dorene Sanchez signed a letter of intent with the Phoenix on Wednesday afternoon, becoming the second Evergreens senior to commit to the NCAA Division 1 program since this winter. Kendra Wolfgram made her commitment to the program in February.

“I’ve always had my heart on playing college soccer,” said Sanchez, who made her commitment official in a short ceremony in the Greenheck Field House.

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The opportunity at UW-Green Bay came after Sanchez had considered walking on with the UW-Milwaukee women’s soccer program and also committing to the National Guard as both of her parents had served with the U.S. Navy.

But after interest from the Phoenix this spring, the Evergreens defender visited the UW-Green Bay campus a little over a month ago and was sold on the opportunity.

“It was pretty last-minute,” Sanchez said of her recruitment by the Phoenix. “I went to go for a visit, it was a really good campus and I got to meet the team and the coaches and they seemed great. I’m excited to see where this takes me."

Sanche was a unanimous all-Wisconsin Valley Conference selection as a defender in her sophomore and junior seasons and is one of seven seniors for the Evergreens, who sit atop the conference standings this spring. She is part of Everest defense which entered the week having allowed a WVC-low 14 shots on net in conference play.

Sanchez attended a summer college showcase camp at both UW-Green Bay and UW-Milwaukee last summer and also had interest from a couple Division II college programs in Minnesota. UW-Green Bay women’s coach Kim Brandao has watched a few Everest soccer games this spring and the Phoenix interest in Sanchez increased from there.

The Phoenix finished 1-13-2 overall this past fall and 1-7-1 in the Horizon League

“I knew that she could play at the Division 1 level and I think Green Bay is a perfect fit for her,” D.C. Everest coach Lucas Kollross said of Sanchez, who plays center back for the Evergreens. “I think she is going to be able to go in there and make an immediate impact, and Kendra is going there so she will have a (high school) teammate there as well. Hopefully they can help turn the program around in the near future.

“(Sanchez) is very physical. She can play a 40-yard ball in the air and drop it on a dime,” Kollross said. “It’s one of those things were field position is critical in soccer and she gives us a big advantage there.”

Tim Johnson: 715-845-0731, or twjohnson@gannett.com; on Twitter @timmyjo11