The first of potentially 13 sophomores who are eligible to sign with four-year schools, Amber Whitmore has signed a National Letter of Intent with NCAA Division II Western Oregon University. Whitmore, who was a member of two consecutive NSCAA Division III (non-scholarship) National Championship and two CCCAA State Championship teams, was a 1st Team All-South Coast Conference selection this season after earning Honorable Mention recognition as a freshman.

Originally considering attending Middle Tennessee State University out of Los Alamitos High, Whitmore decided to stay home and play for the Falcons. Starting this season as a forward, Whitmore was one of the team's leading scorers when she was moved to defense, where the Falcons benefitted on her speed on the outside and dribbling skills. Whitmore still concluded the season with 15 goals and six assists. She posted 17 goals and six assists her freshman season.

"Amber is a really talented player who has a knack for scoring goals," said head coach Ruben Gonzalez. "With her goal scoring abilities, she was still able to create things on offense for us from her left defender position. Her athleticism lended well to her converting to a new position."

Said Whitmore, "I personally offered to play defense in the beginning of season because I originally played center back when I first started playing. But I really didn't think they would put me there. It's really tough giving up a position where you get the most action and of course, scoring goals, because I love scoring goals. But it's also an accomplishment when you can take goals away from the other team. It honesty took me a long time to get used to playing left back because it is a really hard position to play and I give everyone that plays those wing positions props because I am winded when I play that position. I do not think it affected my approach to the game. If anything, it helped me be more fit and a better player overall. I'm a dribbler I love to dribble and since I had way more space coming all the way from defense, it taught me how to dribble better from up top."

Offensively, Whitmore scored goals in seven of the first eight games of the season, including a four-goal game against ECC Compton Center. But no goal was bigger than the one she scored in the 81st minute against Santiago Canyon College in the 3rd Round of the Southern California Regional Playoffs her freshman season that sent the team to the State Final Four. She went on to score the first goal in a 3-1 win over Fresno City College in the semifinal game, and the Falcons went on to win their fourth of five straight state championships.

"What I will remember the most from Cerritos is winning the state and national title both of my years here" said Whitmore. "My last game as a Falcon, when Caro (Jaramillo) scored that second goal (against Diablo Valley in the State Championship game), I knew it was over and we had won it again and tears of happiness came down my face. It's like no feeling ever. Since we have won it the past five years in a row, it just shows how competitive we are as a team and how successful we are. There is a new team every year and Ruben and the rest of the coaches always seems to know how to put it together with the help of our athleticism. Not only that, but I believe that I have made some of my very best friends on this team that will forever be with me."

Whitmore will be joining a Wolves team that went 5-11-1 last season and placed seventh in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference. They are graduating nine seniors, which opens plenty of chances for Whitmore to earn a spot in the starting lineup.

"I visited Western Oregon last spring and instantly fell in love with it," said Whitmore. "The campus is beautiful - I love cloudy rainy weather. They also have what I want to do for my career which is to be a dental hygienist and most colleges don't offer that, so that was a big plus for me. Although it's not in California, I am still pretty close. I had multiple offers and different colleges that would have liked me to be on their team, but Western Oregon is such a beautiful place and all of the other schools were in a location where I don't think I would enjoy as much as Oregon. I am so happy with my decision and can't wait to move there next fall. I can't thank Cerritos enough for helping me get there."

"Amber was always willing to work hard in order to get better, which carried over to the other players on the team," said Gonzalez. "She helped herself get better, and in turn, it made us a better team. I think she'll make a big impact for their program."