Do you dare to dream? Julia Arbelaez certainly does.
Her dream was always to enjoy a successful College Soccer career before turning professional and playing overseas.
And now that fantasy is a step nearer to reality after committing to Syracuse University.
Julia will join the Syracuse Orange Division One side in the Fall of 2025 after successfully navigating the collegiate process with the support of NCE Soccer.
For Julia, it was finding the support of College coaches who shared her dream and, felt they were able to continue her development fast-tracked by NCE.
“I knew from the moment that I first talked to the coaches that this could be a great fit for me as both an athlete and a student,” Julia explained.
“When I got on campus for my visit, I just loved everything about the school and I could really see myself going there.
“Everybody always talks about “the feeling” you will get when you find the right school, and I felt that right when I stepped on campus.
“From the warm welcome from the coaches to hanging out with the team, experiencing a game, and touring the campus, I was certain it was a place that could be my second home for the next 4 years after high school.
“It is my dream to play professionally after College, and it was so important to me in a school was finding one that encouraged this dream of mine, and was willing to help me achieve it.
“When the coaches told me that they would do this, I was ecstatic. Ever since I have played soccer I had the dream of going pro. I would watch Real Madrid on TV and dream of playing with them!”
Like so many of the young players who develop through NCE Soccer programming her journey began almost as soon as she could walk.
She joined her first team at the age of four and decided to step it up at the grand old age of six or seven as she joined her local team FC Somers with her Dad stepping into the role of coach.
“Our team started in one of the lowest divisions, losing almost every game. I remember my dad often telling the team, “play like it’s zero-zero,” to keep everyone going,” she added.
“Eventually, we moved our way up into the first division where we were consistently contending for the league before I moved onto my current club, New York Soccer Club, where I’ve been ever since.
“In the past two years, we have finished second in the GA Northeast conference and moved on to compete in playoffs and I have also been on the Somers Girls Varsity Soccer team since freshman year of High School!”
Julia has no doubts about the role NCE Soccer has played in her development.
She has been part of NCE Soccer since third Grade and has responded brilliantly to the demands of NCE’s elite coaching team.
Her experience has left her with a headful of memories and experiences but, crucially, further convinced her that the impossible is possible with hard work and determination.
“NCE encourages players to be creative and express themselves on the field. This has helped me develop so much confidence as a player and just stimulated my love for the game,” Julia explained.
“The coaches have a high knowledge of soccer. Every training session, you are guaranteed to learn something new and how to apply it to the game.
“There are so many incredible times in NCE that I can recall- Friday night sessions under the lights, the overnight summer camps, and so much more.
“My favorite NCE moment was going to Sweden and playing in the Gothia Cup with the international select squad.
My parents and I always say this was one of the most significant moments in my soccer career so far.
“Playing in Sweden gave me a taste of what it was like to play overseas, and just motivated me even more as a player, being someone who wants to play professionally (potentially overseas) after college.
“With that, I met some incredible people and made lifelong friends. I wouldn’t trade the experience for anything. I have also always loved the NCE winter tournaments.
“The program does a really good job of fostering a competitive, passionate, and enthusiastic environment!”
Julia knows the hard work is only just beginning. She hopes to study Sports Broadcasting and Journalism or Digital Media at Syracuse, hailing their School of Communications among the best in the country.
She found the college process to be positive but has some advice for NCE Soccer players about to go through the process.
She added: “NCE has certainly helped me with recruiting. The program and its coaches educated me on how the whole process works and how to approach it, gave me countless opportunities and experiences to add to my resume, assisted in my exposure to schools/coaches, helped build my confidence to talk to these coaches, and overall just made me a better player.
“I met some great people and enjoyed learning a lot about schools. It was interesting to think that I would eventually be committing to one!
“One thing I learned throughout my recruitment process is that coaches aren’t just interested in you as an athlete, they are looking at you as a student, and a person too.
“As a student, I find academics very important and have worked very hard to achieve high honor roll every semester in high school.
“As a person, I like to get involved with my community and help people in need, in whatever way I can. I enjoy making people laugh and am super family-oriented. It’s important to show this side of you and your personality when talking to coaches!”
NCE Soccer is committed to working with players to help them find the College or University that is right for them. Coaches from the leading colleges and Universities attend NCE Soccer Winter Tournaments, Showcase events, and our Residential Camps, spending time working with players and getting to know them as people.
Players enrolled in NCE Soccer’s Programming will be invited to attend events attended by College Coaches and our College ID Program includes webinars and access to resources dedicated to showcasing individual talent including personalized webpages and a college profile.
* To find out more and register for NCE Soccer programming click this link.
