Recruiting Advice: College coaches stress importance of academics

Holy Cross men's soccer celebrates a goal during the 2017 season. (Credit: Brian Foley)

How do you become the best player you can be?

It's a question that young players – goalkeepers, defenders, midfielders and forwards – grapple with as they strive to reach the next level. Understandably so, they're trying to get an edge and distinguish themselves, whether it's in terms of technique, tactics or athleticism.

But as those progressions unfold, players can't lose sight of the academic component. That's at least the message that eight college soccer coaches throughout New England conveyed when touching base with New England Soccer Journal.

The below installment continues our recruiting series, which is designed to serve as a resource to aspiring college soccer players. Responses come from men's and women's coaches across all three divisions.