By Jonathan SigalJanuary 16, 2026 Colby women's soccer coach Seth Benjamin offers instruction to players. (Ashley L. Conti) The college soccer recruiting world can be, in a word, complicated. What do coaches look for on and off the field? How does a prospective player stand out above the rest? What is key in finding the “right fit” at the next level? To answer those questions and more, New England Soccer Journal is connecting with coaches across the region for their perspective on how families can navigate the landscape. We’re getting underway with Colby women’s soccer coach Seth Benjamin. His team is coming off back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances and is on the rise in the NESCAC, one of the premier Division 3 conferences nationally. This interview has been edited for brevity and clarity. 1. To get things started: On the field, what is your biggest recruiting non-negotiable? The first thing is effort and work rate, which comes in a lot of different ways. You want a kid to be focused fully, no matter how the game’s going for them, no matter how the game’s going for their team. And they’ve got to work on both sides of the ball, regardless of what position they play. The second, and it’s tied in with our style, we need players who want to be on the ball. No matter what — if it’s a goalkeeper, center back, center forward, midfielder, outside back — they need to show that bravery and fearlessness when they’re in possession. They don’t hide, they’re always available, and they have the confidence to execute. MORE: How much do highlight reels help a player in the recruiting process? 2. Let’s go off the pitch: What is your biggest recruiting non-negotiable? Colby is a high-academic school, so that’s a given for anybody we’re considering. That’s our starting point. Then you branch into team culture and the attitude of the individual recruit. That takes time to understand fully, right? You want to see them in different situations, off the field, on their visit — we want feedback from the faculty they meet, from the admissions counselor they meet with, our players are hanging out with them on visits. We want them to be someone who inspires trust and care, showing that they truly care about their teammates.

By Matthew DohertyJanuary 8, 2026 When it comes to national showcases, the recruiting opportunities are massive. College coaches from across the country flock to these events for one of the few chances all year to get an up-close look at numerous top prospects in one location. So how exactly does a player stand out at national showcases like MLS Next Fest or ECNL Florida? To find out, New England Soccer Journal spoke with college coaches across the region about what they look for when evaluating players at these events. The answers ranged from on-field ability to how players interact with teammates — and even their demeanor on the plane ride. We heard back from five Division 1 and Division 3 women’s coaches, plus a club coach, ahead of the ECNL Girls Florida winter showcase. But their insights apply to prospective men’s recruits as well. Let’s get into it: On the field Technical ability is obviously crucial. Coaches primarily look at ball control, agility, passing and individual attacking and defending. But beyond that, there are more nuanced things a player can do on the pitch to stand out. BU women’s coach Meg Burke, who guided the Terriers to the Patriot League title game in her first season, pays close attention to soccer IQ. “What stands out most to me is how players affect the game in isolated moments with the ball, but also when they don’t have it at their feet,” said Burke. “We’re all going to notice speed, athleticism, and technical ability, but separation comes from players who have a strong soccer IQ. To impact the game at the next level, they must be able to recognize time and space, while making decisions quickly.” Another on-field trait coaches consistently focus on is work rate. MIT coach Martin Desmarais, who led the Engineers to a ninth straight NCAA Tournament appearance last fall, was one of the many coaches who said they were drawn to players who show constant hustle, energy, and competitiveness. Those traits are things a player can control.

How many colleges have you reached out to during your current recruiting process?

Hi everyone! We’ve got an amazing community here with 270 members, and so many of you are checking in throughout the day—thank you for being part of this space! But here’s the thing: I only see a handful of members asking questions, sharing insights, or jumping into discussions. Love to change that! What would make you feel more comfortable or intersted to join the conversation? - Do you want specific topics to discuss? - Would you like weekly challenges or polls? - Are there features or changes that could make it easier to participate? All ideas are welcome—this is your forum, and I’d love to hear from you! Let’s make this space even better together. Cheers Steve

With all of these showcases in freezing temperatures, I was wondering, why is it important that coaches watch games live in person. With all games being filmed, they could watch from home without travel and weather. What are they looking for in person that film doesn’t show. Thank you!