At Missoula Surf, we believe the college soccer journey starts long before college recruitment begins. Our College Pathway is rooted in early player development and continues through structured opportunities, competitive challenges, and individualized mentorship — all while placing the athlete at the center of the process.
The college pathway begins during the formative years of a player’s development. From U9–U13, we emphasize the four key pillars of the game:
Technical (skill mastery)
Tactical (decision-making and game understanding)
Physical (strength, agility, and endurance)
Mental (resilience, focus, confidence)
Equally important, we stress the development of:
Academic discipline
Goal-setting habits
Strong character — being a good person, teammate, and community member
This foundation is built not just through structured team sessions, but also through:
Intrinsic drive
Training on their own
A proper training environment
Support from parents, coaches, mentors, and teachers
Our goal is to nurture well-rounded athletes with a passion for the game and the tools to pursue their future goals.
As players grow, so must their environment. From U14–U17, the focus shifts toward competitive refinement and exposure. Players should seek out challenging environments that test not only their skills, but their:
Mental toughness
Competitiveness
Consistency under pressure
These are the years when players must start aligning their goals with reality by:
Maintaining strong academic performance
Setting short- and long-term goals
Identifying colleges, programs, or levels of play that suit their aspirations
In Montana, the pathway to college soccer may look different than in larger markets. It often requires intentional planning and creative opportunities, including:
Guest playing with ECNL, MLS Next, or becoming a Development Player (DP)
Competing at top national tournaments with club teams
Participating in national identification platforms like Surf Select or ODP (Olympic Development Program)
Attending college ID camps, especially those hosted by programs you’re interested in
At the highest levels of the pathway, the key ingredient becomes the athlete’s own motivation and initiative. To truly pursue a spot on a collegiate roster, players must take control of the process by:
Creating highlight clips and a playing resume
Reaching out to college coaches
Attending camps and showcases
Sustaining high-level training independently and with the team
Competing in elite-level games to gain exposure and test readiness
We emphasize to every player: this is your journey. You will be supported by your family, coaches, teachers, school administrators, and mentors, but your work — in training, in school, and in self-advocacy — is the deciding factor.
Success in the college pathway isn’t just about talent. It requires a confluence of:
Preparation
Consistent training, technical sharpness, and an understanding of the game
Competitive Play
Playing in environments that challenge and stretch your potential
Mentality
Resilience in failure, humility in success, strong interpersonal skills, and being coachable
Physical Readiness
Strength, endurance, speed, and injury prevention
There is no one-size-fits-all path to college soccer. Every journey will look different, and the options are vast: NCAA Divisions I, II, III, NAIA, Junior College, and even international programs. But every journey starts the same way — with a player who dreams big and works hard.
At Missoula Surf, we’re here to help you navigate this path, but you are the author of your story. Stay focused, stay driven, and trust that with the right preparation, support, and belief in yourself, the next level is within reach.
Whether you’re a player dreaming of college soccer or a parent looking to understand the journey ahead, we’re here to support you.
If you’re interested in learning more about Missoula Surf’s College Pathway or exploring opportunities on our competitive club teams, we’d love to connect.
👉 Reach out today to speak with our coaching staff, learn about upcoming events, or start your personalized pathway discussion.
Let’s build your future in the game — together.
