Spring Grove's Erlemeier commits to Richmond

Six months ago, Abby Erlemeier had never heard of the University of Richmond.

Now, she's committed to join the school's Division I soccer program in 2017.

The Spring Grove junior announced her verbal commitment last weekend, despite the fact that she still has her senior season ahead of her.

“There’s a pretty big pressure on soccer players, especially girls, with people committing earlier and earlier now,” Erlemeier said. “The goalie on my club team committed to Robert Morris when she was a freshman. Coaches keep recruiting earlier and earlier to get the best players.”

Erlemeier, who led the Rockets with 18 goals scored last fall and plays for the HMMS United Eagle FC club team out of Mechanicsburg, attended a camp at Richmond in November. She received an offer from the school a few weeks later, she said, and visited in January.

“I felt comfortable and I could see myself going there," Erlemeier said. "I sat in on a Spanish class and a biology class with one of the freshman players. I really like the school and the coaches and everything, so I decided to accept it.”

"They also have an endowment on their dessert bar, so there’s always cake and stuff. When I went to the camp, the coaches told us not to eat much dessert because we’ll get sick, but I took a cupcake anyway and I fell in love.”

Erlemeier plans to major in business with a minor in leadership.

“I hope to become an athletic director one day," she said. "I was close with our old athletic director, (Scott) Govern, and he inspired me.”