COLLEGE RECRUITING AND THE ECNL:
How will the ECNL change college recruiting?
The ECNL brings together the best female soccer clubs in the country to compete against each other in five regular-season events and one post-season event. However, for the first time ever, the competitive schedule for these games for the entire year is determined at the beginning of the year. As such, college coaches can more easily plan their recruiting calendar to insure that they see all players in which they are interested – and see them competing against the best players in the country.
How will ECNL games be played at collegiate showcases?
To insure maximum exposure for ECNL players, all ECNL games will be played at adjacent fields and at similar times at all ECNL events. The ECNL is working with each showcase to insure that the ECNL games are provided maximum exposure, and that the “drawing power” of every ECNL club is combined to increase attendance of college coaches for all teams. Additionally, due to the structure of the ECNL, ECNL members are guaranteed acceptance into the collegiate showcase events at which their ECNL regular-season games are played.
Why should I play in the ECNL if I intend to go to college close to home?
NCAA Division I, II and III college soccer programs recruit nationally, and opportunities to play in NCAA Division I tend to go to players from nationally competitive teams. Elite players maximize their opportunities to be recruited for college and to be identified for the national team by playing against the top talent from around the country at the best college showcases. The ECNL guarantees you with the opportunity to play the best players, at the biggest showcase events, every year.
Can a player that participates in the ECNL also participate in high school soccer?
Yes. The ECNL schedules are created to insure that all players that participate in the ECNL also have the opportunity to play high school soccer. The ECNL is not prohibiting players from its member clubs from participating in high school soccer.