'So You Want To Play College Soccer?' 7 Steps Every Soccer Player Needs to Crush the Recruiting Process!

Interview with New England College Women’s Soccer Coach Paul Vazquez - 'Academic and Athletic Balance'

January 12, 2025

In Today’s Edition

Welcome to our essential new blog series on college recruitment! Whether you're just beginning your journey or are already deep into the process, this series is designed with you in mind. We'll delve into crucial topics like crafting an impressive highlight video, developing a strategic college list, and mastering the art of securing scholarships. Regardless of where you stand, our series is filled with essential tips and guidance to propel you towards success. Join us every week as we equip you with the insights and tools necessary to confidently navigate the recruitment landscape. 

  • 7 Steps Every Soccer Player Needs to Crush the Recruiting Process!

  • Feeling Lost In Your Recruiting Journey? 

  • Summary of Matt’s Interview with New England College Women’s Soccer – Coach Paul Vazquez

7 Steps Every Soccer Player Needs to Crush The Recruiting Process!

The Top 7 Things You Must Do on the Recruiting Journey

The soccer recruiting process is an exciting, albeit challenging, adventure. With so much at stake, it's crucial to take the right steps to present yourself as a strong candidate for a college program. To help you prioritize your efforts, we’ve narrowed it down to the top seven essential steps every recruit should follow. Whether you're just starting or refining your approach, this guide will take you closer to reaching your goals.

1. Create an Unforgettable Highlight Video

Your highlight video is one of the most important tools in your recruiting arsenal. It serves as a first impression for coaches, letting them see your talent on the field. To make a great video, start with an introductory slide showing your name, position, graduation year, and contact information.

Include 10-15 of your best plays, focusing on various skills—technical excellence, game awareness, athleticism, and decision-making. For forwards, emphasize goals, assists, and attacking creativity. For defenders, show your ability to read the game, make clearances, and shut down attackers. Make sure the footage is clear, steady, and professional.

Keep the video concise—3 to 5 minutes is ideal—and ensure it highlights your strengths. Upload the video to a platform like YouTube or Hudl and provide a link in your communications with coaches. A great highlight reel can spark a coach’s interest and open the door to further discussions.

2. Create a List of Potential Colleges

Having a targeted list of potential colleges is foundational to a successful recruiting process. Begin with a wide net, including dream schools, realistic options, and safety choices. Research each program’s soccer performance, academic offerings, and campus life.

Reflect on what matters most to you—location, level of competition, scholarship opportunities, or academic focus. Narrow your list to the schools that align with both your goals and abilities.

Once you have your list, prioritize your efforts. Start establishing contact with coaches and exploring each program in depth. Revisit your list as you gain clarity on where you truly see yourself thriving.

3. Craft a Top-Quality Email

Contacting college coaches via email might feel intimidating, but it’s a crucial part of the recruitment process. A well-written, personalized email can set you apart. Start by addressing the coach by name and mentioning something specific about their team or school that resonates with you. For example, "I admire how your program consistently develops players to compete at a national level.”

Briefly introduce yourself, sharing your position, current team, GPA, graduation year, and key accomplishments. Include a link to your highlight video and attach your soccer resume, featuring academic achievements and upcoming tournaments or showcases.

Coaches receive dozens of emails, so be clear and concise. Close with a professional call-to-action, such as, "I would love to discuss how I can contribute to your team. Feel free to contact me with any questions or to schedule a time to attend one of my games.” Proofread carefully to avoid errors. A strong email that reflects genuine interest and preparation can leave a lasting impression.

4. Showcase Your Journey on a Soccer-Focused Social Media Page

Social media can be your friend or foe during the recruiting process. Platforms like Instagram and Twitter are perfect for building a personal brand that showcases your soccer talent. Create a dedicated account for your soccer activities and keep it updated with clean, professional, and relevant content.

Post game highlights, training progress, awards, and team accomplishments. Include captions that reflect your hard work and excitement about the game, like "Thrilled to have scored the game-winning goal at the showcase tournament last weekend!" Coaches often browse social media to get a sense of your personality and commitment, so make sure you're representing yourself positively.

Tag schools and programs responsibly to make yourself visible, especially if you’re attending events where their coaches are present. Engage with soccer-related content by following college coaches, teams, and soccer organizations. Present a polished image that reinforces your dedication to the sport and academics.

5. Stay Organized with a Recruiting Spreadsheet

Managing your recruiting process can get overwhelming, so staying organized is a must. Create a recruiting spreadsheet to track the colleges and programs on your target list. Include details like the school’s name, the coach’s contact information, and links to their recruiting forms.

You should also log deadlines for applications, ID clinics, and scholarship opportunities. Track your interactions with each coach—when you emailed them, their responses, and any follow-up actions. Being organized will help you stay on top of opportunities and show coaches your professionalism and attention to detail.

6. Visit College Campuses

Taking the time to visit college campuses can give you a real sense of the environment and help you decide if it’s the right fit. Schedule both unofficial and official visits to see the soccer facilities, meet the team, and observe training sessions.

While on campus, ask yourself important questions. Does the coaching style match your playing style? Are the facilities well-maintained? How do current players interact with one another and with coaching staff? Visiting in person lets you evaluate the culture and atmosphere beyond what you see online.

Don’t forget to tour the academic side as well. Check out classrooms, dormitories, and the surrounding community. Remember, college life extends beyond soccer, and it’s essential to find a balance that works for you.

7. Attend School ID Clinics

Attending ID clinics is one of the best ways to get noticed by college coaches. These events are an excellent opportunity to display your skills directly to the program you’re interested in. Research schools hosting clinics and register for the ones that align with the programs you want to join.

Once you’re at the clinic, treat it as an audition. From warm-ups to scrimmages, give 100% effort and show positive body language. Coaches notice players who communicate well, encourage teammates, and adapt to feedback.

After the clinic, follow up with a thank-you email to the coach, referencing something specific you learned or enjoyed. This simple gesture can leave a lasting impression and keep you top of mind when they’re assembling their roster.

The recruiting process requires hard work and persistence, but focusing on these seven essential steps can make it more manageable and strategic. By creating standout materials, staying organized, visiting schools, and showing genuine interest in programs, you’ll position yourself as a compelling candidate. Remember, this is about finding a school and team where you’ll succeed both on the field and in the classroom. Stay dedicated—you’ve got this!

Feeling Lost In Your Recruiting Journey? 

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Are you feeling overwhelmed by the recruiting process? Watching your teammates sign with college programs can be exciting, but it might also leave you feeling unsure of your path. Or perhaps you're just beginning your recruiting journey and have no idea where to start. You're not alone, and you don't have to figure it all out by yourself.

Take the first step towards clarity and confidence by scheduling a FREE 15-minute call with Steve.

Whether you need advice, a progress check, or guidance on your next moves, this quick conversation could make all the difference. Don't sit on the sidelines—tap into the support you need today!

Reach out to Steve at [email protected]

Summary of Matt’s Interview with New England College Women’s Soccer – Coach Paul Vazquez  Discovercollegesoccer.com

Recruiting Process

  • Coach Paul starts recruiting for the next class (e.g., 2025) in the fall, gathering names and examining players during November tournaments.

  • Spring ID camps and tournaments help narrow down potential recruits before the senior year begins.

  • Recruitment efforts continue year-round, even when a class is largely finalized, to improve the team.

  • Key Recruitment Events

    • Major recruiting events include EDP tournaments, ECNL tournaments in locations like New Jersey, Las Vegas, and Houston, and local club events (e.g., FC Stars).

    • Regional events in Massachusetts and Long Island are also prioritized due to proximity.

    • The team maintains a diverse roster with players from across the country and internationally.

  • Approach to Player Outreach

    • Players who contact the team are prioritized, with 100% of their games attended if possible.

    • Recruitment involves a 50/50 split between players who reach out and unknown prospects discovered at events.

    • Thorough follow-through ensures no player is overlooked.

  • Importance of ID Camps

    • ID camps are intimate, with 12-20 attendees, allowing coaches to give individual attention.

    • Camps focus on players seriously interested in New England College as a viable option.

    • Team members participate in ID camps to assess recruits' fit with the program culture.

  • Qualities Sought in Recruits

    • The program emphasizes strong character, leadership skills, work ethic, and competitiveness.

    • Soccer skills are viewed as trainable, while intangibles like attitude and effort are crucial.

    • The ultimate goal is to develop confident, independent young women prepared for life after soccer.

  • New England College Highlights

    • A small school offering experiential learning, with hands-on opportunities starting in the freshman year (e.g., real-world teaching for education majors, ride-alongs for criminal justice students).

    • Successful outcomes include alumni working in fields like Homeland Security, the FBI, and medicine (seven doctors from the soccer program).

    • Close proximity to Boston, the ocean, and the mountains enhances the student experience.

  • Academic and Athletic Balance

    • Support systems include weekly check-ins for first-year students, mentorship, and assistance from faculty advisors.

    • Team culture emphasizes academic success, boasting a consistent collective GPA of 3.5.

    • Building independence is a core philosophy, with tools provided but responsibility placed on the student-athletes.

  • Typical Season Structure

    • Players follow a Wednesday-Saturday game schedule, with practices and lifting sessions integrated throughout the week.

    • Sundays are reserved as rest days, with practices scheduled around classes to maintain a balanced routine.

    • Meals and recovery are well-structured, ensuring players are fueled and ready.

  • Roster and Staff Roles

    • The ideal roster size is 32 players, including four goalkeepers, allowing for competitive training and depth amidst injuries.

    • The coaching staff includes an experienced assistant, a goalkeeper coach, a grad assistant (often alumni), and a volunteer assistant.

    • A dedicated athletic trainer follows the team throughout the year, ensuring comprehensive care and familiarity with athletes.

  • Coaching Philosophy

    • Coach Paul focuses on teaching, fostering an environment where players feel safe to take risks and develop problem-solving skills.

    • Practices demand high effort and preparation, while games are approached with guidance, letting players take ownership on the field.

  • Advice for Recruits and Parents

    • Focus on an individualized recruiting process; choose a school where you will thrive regardless of soccer involvement.

    • Arrive at preseason fit and ready to minimize physical setbacks and mental strain, enabling you to perform at your best.

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About: Steve Coxon College Soccer Network

Steve has 20 years of college-level experience, 17+ years in D1 as the Head Recruiter. He has facilitated more than $30 million in college scholarships.

Location - Connecticut, USA