Barrington Defender to Play Soccer in Southeastern Conference

Eclipse Select Soccer Club defender Nicole Niro of Barrington had made up her mind that she wanted a change away from the Midwest to experience an education and college soccer career in the south.

Niro will join a strong women’s soccer program and Division I college as she has committed to play for SEC program Auburn beginning in the fall of 2014.

“It’s really exciting after starting soccer at such a young age and then building up to this point,” Niro said. “It’s definitely a milestone in my life and something I’m proud of.

“I really wanted to go to a school in the south, and after hearing about Auburn from a friend I looked into that and visited,” Niro said. “It felt like Eclipse in the sense that it was family-oriented, warm and welcoming. I knew I wanted to experience this type of change.”

Niro also felt it was important to have this decision in place before her senior year at Barrington High School.

“My sister is going through the same process now,” said Niro, referring to Eclipse Select midfielder Ann Marie. “I learned that everyone has their own time when they want to make this decision. For me, it’s nice to have this weight off my shoulders so I can go into this spring and summer and all of next year knowing that I am set. It’s different for everybody.”

Niro will continue to have some strong soccer tutelage playing for Auburn head coach Karen Hoppa, who has led Auburn for the past two decades.

“Karen is a wonderful person and I immediately connected with her when I first started speaking with Auburn,” Niro said. “She’s definitely built the program in a good direction and I felt like I would be in a good place on that team. Soccer-wise, I also thought it fit my style.

“We briefly touched on my role, about possibly playing a defender or holding midfielder,” Niro said. “That decision will come with time and we’ll see how I do in their practices when I start.”

Eclipse Select teammate and goalkeeper Sarah LeBeau also will be bound for Auburn, and Niro said it should help with the transition to the college game to have a familiar face along the way.

“I definitely think that will be a huge advantage,” Niro said. “Sarah and I have been playing soccer with each other for three years, so that will be comforting to have a teammate like that where we know each other, our style of play and will keep working together.”

Niro has been playing for Eclipse Select’s U-17 Elite Clubs National League team, and the squad has had a successful stretch with a regular dose of shutouts in the fall. But for Niro and her teammates, that is not the ultimate goal.

“It’s definitely been an exciting thing, but our main goal has always been nationals in July,” Niro said. “We can be proud of the shutouts and our successful fall, but the main goal is nationals.”

With a year and a half left before making the college trek, Niro says she will continue to improve her fitness, athleticism and soccer skills to the fullest. Having been at Eclipse Select for many years, Niro knows the club regimen will only continue to help her with this transition.

“They’ve helped me so much with my mentality and work rate,” Niro said. “With all of the skills I have learned, they have helped push me harder than I ever imagined. It’s definitely been a roller coaster ride and I’ve really enjoyed my time with Eclipse. I started when I was young – only 11 or 12 when I joined the club. So I’ve really grown up with this experience. It’s been my way of life.”


About the Eclipse Select Soccer Club:The Eclipse Select Soccer Club was formed in 1997 to facilitate elite-level youth soccer players and has evolved into a program consisting of more than 60 teams throughout the Chicagoland area. The club offers programs for boys and girls soccer players of all levels and ages, from preschool children to collegiate-level and national-team athletes. Eclipse Select believes in creating an environment that is physically and mentally challenging so players reach their highest potential. Eclipse alumni include the likes of three-time All-American and former Notre Dame midfielder Jen Buczkowski and U.S. Women's National Team and Santa Clara standout midfielder Leslie Osborne. Hundreds of Eclipse boys and girls have continued their soccer careers at the collegiate level. Eclipse Select's office is located at 700 Oak Brook Road, Suite A, in Oak Brook, Ill. For more information about the Eclipse Select Soccer Club, visit www.EclipseSelect.org and follow Eclipse Select on Facebook and Twitter. More than 20 Eclipse Select teams play in the Elite Clubs National League (ECNL), which was founded in 2009 to enhance the player development of girls youth soccer players in the U.S. For more information about the ECNL, visit www.EliteClubsNationalLeague.com. 

Submitted by Eclipse Select Soccer Club.