Roadmap to College Soccer – Volume 3

Featuring Addison Halpern from the University of Virginia (Power 4 program) and Top-Level Division 1 college commits from the class of 2027 - Giving perspectives, tips, and insights on the recruitment process.   USE THE PROMO CODE almasin30 for a discount on your first subscription   The new series of preparing players for college soccer comes at a time where crucial steps in the recruitment process may determine the difference between success and failure.  Although all statistics show that approximately 10.6% of high school girls who play soccer will go on to play at any college level, with about 2.4% competing in NCAA Division I.  With the slimmest of margins to play D1 soccer, getting advice from players who have received offers or currently play for D1 programs can prove to be valuable and insightful.   Since female ECNL players play at the highest level and make up 70% to 80% of the Division 1 pool, volume 3 continues to focus on a few of the top-level players making an impact on either their high school or club teams.  In this series, the players have made their commitments and will be joining D1 programs starting in 2027, and Addison Halpern will give us some insight on her off-season training schedule as well as give tips to aspiring collegiate soccer players, as she completed her first season at UVA as a freshman starter.   This group of 2027 players are some of the best in California and some are rated as top-tier in the nation.  Most have competed on U.S. youth national teams, while all, if not most, have dreams of one day making the senior team.  It's safe to say that we might look back one day and see 2-3 of them representing the Red, White, and Blue in 2031 or possibly in 2027.   The featured players are [player_tooltip player_id='111147' first='Elena' last='Vera'], [player_tooltip player_id='146256' first='Molly' last='McBride'], [player_tooltip player_id='148079' first='Maycee' last='Kirby'], [player_tooltip player_id='111109' first='Nina' last='Khoury'], and Addison Halpern.  In order to give aspiring collegiate players perspectives and tips on navigating through the complex and challenging recruitment process, these awesome players took time out of their busy schedules to share their journey.   Player #1 - [player_tooltip player_id='111147' first='Elena' last='Vera'] - Midfielder/Defender - 2027 - ECNL [program_tooltip program_id='283257' first='Bay' last='Area Surf'] FC - Wake Forest Commit    She is a constant fixture on the U.S. National Team programs. Getting her first taste of the U.S. Under-14 Girls' Regional TID Mini-Camp West in 2023. Since then, Elena has made numerous youth national teams, while winning a U-15 championship while playing internationally, getting a call-up for the U-16 team, and playing matches against the Netherlands. Also, making the U-17 training camp roster in November. The Wake Forest commit is a standout player out of Vacaville, and she definitely has a bright future with the Red, White, and Blue. Previous scouting reports noted that she is a highly rated 2027 player who is known for her versatility as a defender and midfielder. She has a high level of fitness, which results in high energy levels as well as the ability to lock down opposing attackers. Her main strength is the ability to dictate the tempo of the game. A strong presence in the backline, with the ability to make quick transitions, makes her a steadfast presence in the U.S. youth team system.    Elena's Soccer Social Media/Highlights:   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-instagram wp-block-embed-instagram"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.instagram.com/p/DNcJ3hSRtMn/?hl=enu0026amp;img_index=1 </div></figure>   Player #2 - [player_tooltip player_id='146256' first='Molly' last='McBride'] - Goalkeeper - 2027 - ECNL [program_tooltip program_id='278036' first='San' last='Juan SC'] - Florida Commit    She is constant fixture in the U.S. youth national teams, while earning her first U14 call-up in 2023. Her nine U.S. Soccer Talent ID Center appearances is an amazing feat. Most recently, Molly had a great showing at ECNL Phoenix in November. One of the best goalkeepers from the 2027 class. With multiple USYNT call-ups, it's just a matter of time before she climbs the ranks as a top 10 player. I've evaluated her on at least 4 occasions. Each time it seems as if she's getting stronger, more athletic, and calm and in control. She plays with such intensity that it feeds off on her defensive line, which makes strong buildups from the back. This style of play created opportunities for success as the ECNL team made it to the final round of 16 and lost a heartbreaker. Definitely better days are coming as Molly recently committed to the University of Florida. Can't wait to see what's next in her soccer journey.    Molly's Soccer Highlights:   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ZWCE35zvk8 </div></figure>   Player #3 - [player_tooltip player_id='148079' first='Maycee' last='Kirby'] - Forward/Midfielder - 2027 - ECNL [program_tooltip program_id='278036' first='San' last='Juan SC'] - TCU Commit    Although she hasn't had the opportunity to play for the Red, White, and Blue, her skills, composure, and commitment to the sport might get her some looks. Maycee was recently featured in COPA's Talent ID DAY in July as one of the BEST XI.  She had a really good game and made a mark on both ends of the pitch.  Shutting down the attack and scoring on a beautiful run and finish is what makes her standout at some of the highest levels of competition.  The recent TCU (Texas Christian University) commit just finished the NorCal Premier U17 Girls PDP tour against clubs in England.  The impressive 4-0 team finish will be something that will be talked about for some time.  Definitely looking forward to seeing her rise in the rankings as well as seeing her as a USYNT call up sooner rather than later.  I've evaluated her on 4 or more occasions and she's always consistently playing at a high level.  Her speed, lock-down defense, and finishing skills are what sets her apart from the rest. She's a certified goal scorer and versatile player.    Maycee's Soccer Highlights:   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-VEgktM6NeE </div></figure>   Player #4 - [player_tooltip player_id='111109' first='Nina' last='Khoury'] - Midfielder/Defender - 2027 - ECNL [program_tooltip program_id='283312' first='Davis' last='Legacy'] G09 - Youngstown State University Commit    She is a top-level midfielder/defender in the class of 2027 in California. Seeing her at a previous evaluation and comparing it to my most recent evaluation seems worlds apart. While previously seen at the high school level, she was a starter and a big part of the Cardinal Newman championship run for the North Coast Division 2 championship. I picked the Cardinals as an underdog with the talent and chemistry to win it all. They delivered at every match as they took down the top 4 ranked teams in the tournament. It was great to evaluate her during her team's match at the national playoffs. Most recently, seeing her on a new club team ([program_tooltip program_id='283312' first='Davis' last='Legacy']) and playing the midfield position was what really impressed me. Previously, I've only seen her as a defender. She seemed to be a natural midfielder as she played box-to-box and created opportunities on offense and made clean tackles on defense. Looking forward to her next ECNL and high school season, as both teams are poised to compete at a high level. Nina is now in California's top 50 at #43 for the class of 2027.    Nina's Soccer Highlights:   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WCcGDc0ZeBo </div></figure>   Questions for Elena, Molly, Maycee, and Nina.   1. What drew you to your college?  Was there anyone in particular who recommended or influenced you to play soccer there?   2. Once you decided you wanted to play for that particular college, how did you prepare for the recruitment process?  What were some of your backup colleges?   3. What was one of the most challenging part/s of the recruitment process and how did you overcome it?   4. What has been your most memorable soccer moment as a ECNL or high school player thus far?   5. What advice would you give future collegiate soccer players as tips for increasing their chance of making a Division 1 soccer program?   Elena's Responses:   1: “What drew me into my college was the total environment and coach staff/academic support system in it all.  Coming from the west coast and committing to a college in the east coast was something I never limited in the beginning of my recruiting process!”   2: “I prepared myself through the recruiting process by making sure once I'd commit that I would notify coaches from the other schools I'd made my final decision before carrying on with more discussions between them. Some of my colleges before I had committed were from the west coast and as well as the east coast.”   3: “I believe the most challenging part of my recruitment process was just not having the feeling of doubt as it can be hard for many players not knowing whether things will turn out the way they want things to. Throughout my process I overcame this feeling of doubt by focusing on the importance of patience as good things come with time. Having this mindset allowed me to breathe in decision making scenarios.”   4: “My most memorable soccer moment as a ECNL Player thus far would be the moments of celebration after a team sequenced goal! Those moments are forever remembered as it is with the people I spend most of my nights with training to be better everyday for one another and those goals are earned making it extra special.”    5: “Now the advice I give for future collegiate soccer players for increasing their chance of making D1 soccer programs would be that patience will forever be key. Without patience and desire as well as being able to showcase yourself for the benefit of what you are capable of showing to schools you'd like to look at is significant. As well as having a growth mindset and knowing the little details will always matter. And lastly, play the game with heart and show personality always!”   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/2006167066999505313?s=20 </div></figure>   Molly's Responses:   1. “I was fortunate to play in San Juan's USL-W league over the summer and a current University of Florida Gator, Lena Bailey, was on the roster. She spoke very highly of the program and when I went on my visit in August, I knew it was the right fit. Also, our club DOC coached in Florida and was very familiar with the program and coaching staff and spoke very highly of the University and the program.”   2. “As a goalkeeper, I did a lot of research on the program including, how many rostered goalkeepers they have and years, the coaching style and watched their games in order to develop questions about what my role on the team would be. I spoke frequently with their coaching staff on and after June 15th and was open and honest about my priorities in college. I was fortunate to have a handful of other colleges interested closer to home, but UF won me over during my visit, showed me the vision of their program, how I fit into the team and the rich history of the SEC and I knew it was the spot for me.”   3.  “The timeline was the most stressful part. Recruiting was extremely fast paced this year and even more for Goalkeeper spots given the roster cuts and the NCAA ruling. I had to figure out what my priorities were in college very fast. I had planned on 5 official visits after my initial convos, but ended up only going on 2 before making my decision.”   4.  “It's a tie between playing in the national selection game and keeping a clean sheet at the Spring ECNL event in AZ Phoenix and playing in the finals at the U17 Gothia Cup with NorCal Premier two years ago. Both were amazing environments and remind me why I love this game so much.”   5. “Take every opportunity for exposure and email interested colleges with film early. Work closely with your club Recruiting Directors for advice and insight on the programs to target.”   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/2006088819561619743?s=20 </div></figure>   Maycee's Responses:   1. “What drew me to TCU was the sense of home I felt the first time I visited the campus. Right away I felt very comfortable there. But, I had also built a relationship with some of the coaches at showcases and ID camps. I feel like the coaches truly care about me as a person. I really like the team culture and the supportive and competitive environment. It pushes me to grow on and off the field. I knew it was a place where I could succeed and is a school that also can provide me with the opportunity to play after college. TCU represents everything I value: hard work, faith, family, and community. I knew it was a place where I could grow as an athlete, a student, and a person—and that's what truly made it feel like the right fit for me.”   2. “Going into the recruiting process, I didn't know exactly which college I wanted to attend, so I made sure to keep my options open. I focused on controlling what I could—working hard in training, performing consistently in games, communicating with coaches, and being open-minded throughout the process. I was fortunate to be given opportunities from several high-level programs, which allowed me to compare different environments, coaching styles, and cultures. That process helped me grow and ultimately led me to find the place that felt right for me.”   3. “One of the most challenging parts of the recruiting process was how overwhelming it could be with the number of schools I was talking to. At the same time, I was incredibly grateful for every opportunity and every coach who reached out. There were a lot of unknowns and I was super excited to make the decision for where I was going to go to college and I was able to do this by trusting myself, staying patient, and getting guidance from my parents and club coaches who truly cared about me and my future.”   4. “One of my most memorable soccer experiences has been playing at ECNL Virginia, and competing in the Elite Eight. It was an incredible environment and competitive games I'll never forget. Honestly, all of the ECNL showcases stand out to me: traveling across the country, competing at a high level, winning games, and making unforgettable memories with my best friends while doing what I love.”    “In high school, some of my favorite moments have been winning back-to-back Division I section championships. It takes a lot of grit and determination to make it that far. These experiences have shaped me both as a player and as a teammate.”   5. “My biggest advice would be to be consistent as a player and start your process early. I went to several camps and visited campuses so that I already knew which schools, coaches and environments I liked before the recruiting process started. The next important thing is don't  compare yourself to other players and instead focus on becoming the best version of yourself. Figure out your goals and lean into your strengths and continue to develop your game because every program has a different style and is looking for something different. Building genuine relationships with coaches is also huge—communication and trust go a long way. Lastly, stay positive and patient throughout the recruiting process. Trust the timing and enjoy the journey.”   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/2006089611265916958?s=20 </div></figure>   Nina's Responses:   1. “What drew me to my college was the Coach and players. Youngstown has an incredible close set of girls who all care about each other. The environment was happy, loving, and overall close knit. Both the staff and the players were incredibly welcoming and made my experience amazing. I also feel I had the best connection with Coach Rich, he was always very open with me and positive. He made me feel extremely welcome and I could tell he was a great coach since all the girls talked so highly of him as well. The school also has an amazing program for my major, the Bacc-med, that got my attention. Ultimately what drew me to Youngstown was Coach Rich, the girls, and of course how beautiful the campus.”   2. “What prepared me for the recruitment process was definitely watching film, and emailing. I would watch my games and clip up highlight reels. I would watch college games trying to find my style of play the most. During this process I talked to over 30 colleges and got the idea of how other D1 schools run their programs. Which helped me find the best personal fit.”   3. “One of the most challenging parts of recruitment is finding the time to balance school and soccer. It takes a long time to clip my games, send emails, and do my homework. Since I spend so much time working on my craft and training, it leaves me little time to study and go out. Maintaining a high GPA while constantly growing as a player is demanding. Overall, it's challenging since it's so time consuming, but in the end it is all worth it!”   4. “The most memorable part of my ECNL journey was when I switched teams to [program_tooltip program_id='283312' first='Davis' last='Legacy']. I was nervous, especially since it was my junior year. I had to adjust to the 2 hour drive to practice, and learn to play with my new team. It's so memorable to me because I love these girls so much, they are all so sweet and goal driven as well. It was by far the best decision I made throughout this entire soccer journey since they all push me to be a better player everyday.”   5. “Some advice I would tell someone looking to play at a D1 level is to go to as many camps as possible. It's also important to research each school before reaching out. College coaches are well connected, and if one opportunity doesn't work out, they may be able to help you find another program that's a better fit.”   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/2006090312943559075?s=20 </div></figure>   Addy's Questions and Responses:   1. Now that you just completed your first soccer season at UVA, what was one of your most memorable moments during the season and in the playoffs?   “My best moment at UVA was beating FSU in the ACC Tournament in a penalty shootout. The match was intense from start to finish, and when it came down to penalties, the pressure was unreal. Stepping up to take my kick, I stayed focused and trusted my preparation. Scoring that penalty was an incredible feeling—knowing I contributed directly to the win and helped the team move on made it unforgettable. Knowing that we were going to get to go to Cary was an amazing boost in our confidence especially after we had lost to them the previous week in regular ACC play. It was a moment that captured the competitiveness, teamwork, and pride I felt representing UVA.”   2. Which of your senior teammates did you connect with or have a lot of respect for?   “I looked up to two senior leaders in particular. Laney, who was our captain, was a true leader in every sense of the word. She brought positivity every day while also setting the standard with her intensity and competitiveness. Her leadership showed in how she carried herself and how she pushed everyone around her to be better.   I also really looked up to Lia. Even though she wasn't a named captain, she was absolutely a leader on and off the field. As an All-American midfielder, she set an example with her work rate, composure, and consistency. Watching her play and prepare motivated me and gave me someone to model my own game after.”   3. What does your off-season training sessions/schedule look like?     “During winter break, my off-season training at home is focused on staying sharp while also taking care of my body. I do speed and strength training two days a week, making sure I'm building and maintaining power. I also play in pick-up games three days a week to keep my touch, fitness, and game awareness. Rest days are just as important, so I make sure to include recovery to avoid burnout or injury. Once I'm back at UVA, my training becomes fully regulated by our coaching and training staff, which helps ensure everything is structured and balanced.”   4.  What advice would you give incoming freshmen on strategies for making an impression on their team, without over stepping boundaries?   “My advice to incoming freshmen would be to stay humble and confident at the same time. Be open to constructive criticism and learn how to apply it to your game, because that's how you grow as a player and teammate. Don't try to change who you are—be yourself and continue doing the things that got you to UVA in the first place. Trust your work, embrace the process, and enjoy the journey.”   5.  Looking ahead to summer 2026, what are some of the soccer training or competitions you have in store or hope to do?   “Summer of 2026 seems far away, but I already have a clear idea of what I want it to look like. I definitely plan to play in the USLW League again, as I've loved my experience playing for Paisley FC the past two summers. Competing in that environment has been a great way to continue developing during the offseason. I'm also hoping to find opportunities to train with an NWSL team to challenge myself at the highest level and continue growing my game. I report back to UVA the first week of July, ready to carry that experience into our summer training.”   Addy's Soccer Highlights:   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/AddisonHalpern/status/1936448827214737825?s=20 </div></figure>

Featuring Addison Halpern from the University of Virginia (Power 4 program) and Top-Level Division 1 college commits from the class of 2027 - Giving perspectives, tips, and insights on the recruitment process.