So You Want To Play College Soccer? - The Journey is a Rollercoaster: Surviving the Highs and Lows of College Soccer Recruiting!

37 female athletes have already verbally committed to 16 programs for 2027.

August 24, 2025

Welcome to our essential weekly 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. 

In Today’s Edition

  • The Journey is a Rollercoaster: Surviving the Highs and Lows of College Soccer Recruiting!

  • Stop Wasting Time and Money on the Wrong Schools! What’s your CSN #?

The Journey is a Rollercoaster: Surviving the Highs and Lows of College Soccer Recruiting

College soccer recruiting isn’t for the faint of heart—it’s a rollercoaster ride that will push your determination and resilience to the limit.

Unless you’re already wearing a US national team jersey, the recruiting process is rarely glamorous. While a few big-name prospects glide through, most players face a true test of character marked by hard work and setbacks. Forget overnight success stories: making it in college soccer is about relentless commitment and learning to embrace the grind.

Take Control of Your Destiny

Recruiting doesn’t just happen—you have to make it happen. There are no fairy tales where coaches magically discover you. Instead, you need to be proactive, strategic, and organized.

A huge piece is email outreach. This means sending dozens—sometimes hundreds—of thoughtfully crafted, personalized messages to coaching staffs across the country. Coaches are bombarded with emails every day. Why should yours stand out? Give them a reason to notice you and always follow up until you get a clear answer. Coaches are busy, so persistence without becoming a nuisance is key. Balance determination with respect—they should remember you for effort, not desperation.

Your Film is Your Introduction

For many coaches, your highlight film will be their first impression of you. That means your film must be clear, concise, and showcase your strongest moments right away. Those first 30 seconds are critical—lead with your best. A well-edited, engaging video can open doors, while a boring or messy one closes them. Remember, coaches watch hundreds of videos. Make yours stand out and let your personality and talent shine.

Master Your Online Presence

Social media has changed the recruiting game. Platforms like Twitter and Instagram let you share your playing style and personality. Use these tools to your advantage: post game highlights, share upcoming events, and maintain a professional, authentic profile. Remember to tag coaches politely and avoid spamming. Most large program accounts are run by staff, so do a little homework to find the right people.

Professionalism counts—coaches want to trust you’ll represent their program well, both online and on the field.

Embrace Rejection and Keep Going

No matter your talent level, you will face rejection. You’ll get unanswered emails, form rejections, or coaches will tell you outright you’re not the right fit. Sometimes you’ll catch a coach’s interest, only for them to go silent or pick a different player.

It stings, but rejection is simply part of the process. Every “no” takes you one step closer to a “yes.” What separates committed players from the rest isn’t avoiding rejection—it’s their ability to keep moving forward after setbacks. Recruiting is a numbers game, so persistence and resilience count more than raw talent.

The Emotional Highs and Lows

This process is a true emotional rollercoaster. One day, you’re flying high after a positive response. The next, your hopes are dashed when a coach disappears or picks someone else. The cycle of hope, disappointment, and new opportunities can be exhausting.

But the truth is: these ups and downs are part of every successful recruit’s story. Every college athlete has walked this tightrope of uncertainty. Success comes not from smooth sailing but from getting up after each fall and taking another step forward. Champions are those who keep grinding when it feels impossible, trusting the process even when it’s hard to see progress.

Staying motivated is tough, especially when you’re dealing with rejection, doubt, and lack of feedback. Keep your focus on what you can control: your work ethic, your communication, and your attitude.

Final Thoughts: Trust the Process

There’s no secret hack, shortcut, or magic wand that makes the recruiting journey easier. It’s all about consistent effort, unwavering persistence, and the willingness to learn and adapt.

The true reward isn’t just a roster spot or a scholarship—it’s the mental toughness and discipline you develop through the process. These skills will carry you far beyond the soccer field.

When you’re frustrated by another unanswered email or tough rejection, remember: every college player has been in your shoes. What sets them apart is simple—they pushed forward, one step at a time, even when others quit.

🎯 Stop Wasting Time and Money on the Wrong Schools! What’s your CSN #?

Your CSN # is the key to understanding which colleges are the perfect fit for your athletic and academic profile. It’s a precise measure that helps identify schools that recruit players with your unique resume and skills.

🚨 37 female athletes have already committed to top colleges for the class of 2027, with CSN Numbers ranging from 35 to 90. (Notably, Penn State’s average recruit is ranked 72 for 2027, putting them in first place in the Northeast!)

We've developed an algorithm that accurately predicts the types of schools that will recruit you based on your personal CSN number and each college’s CSN profile. 

Want to join them? Knowing your CSN # puts you on the path to achieving your college athletics goals and finding a school that values you.

📊 Discover where YOU stand and uncover the best opportunities waiting for you.

The CSN # (College Soccer Network Number) is your personalized recruiting tool to focus your efforts on the right colleges.

Why Get Your CSN?

✅ Target Schools with Laser Focus
Identify colleges that recruit players with similar profiles.

✅ Save Time and Money
Avoid camps and schools that aren’t a fit.

✅ Data-Driven Recruiting
Understand where you stand and what to aim for.

Take Control of Your Journey

Sign up for your CSN # today and focus on schools that match your soccer resume.

👉 Click here to activate your CSN # and start targeting the right schools today! After you purchase, you'll get an email from us requesting a bit of information—once received, we'll send you your personalized number within 24 hours.

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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