From ECNL to Division I: How St. Croix Prepared Me for the University of St. Thomas
- Feb 3
- 4 min read
For ambitious youth soccer players, the goal is often clear: play at the collegiate level. However, the roadmap to getting there can be complex. It requires exposure to scouts, high-level competition, and, increasingly, the ability to train alongside players who are already where you want to be.
In this player spotlight, we hear from a graduating senior who successfully navigated this journey. After joining St. Croix Soccer Club during his sophomore year, he utilized the club's comprehensive development pathway — including the ECNL (Elite Clubs National League) and opportunities with the pre-professional USL2 and UPSL teams — to elevate his game.
The result? A commitment to play Division I soccer at the University of St. Thomas.
But as this athlete reveals, the value of St. Croix goes beyond just the recruitment process. It is about an environment where former club players return from college to mentor the next generation, where coaches teach resilience in the face of wins and losses, and where lifelong friendships are forged on the field.
St. Croix Testimonial: Athlete Jacob Nokken
Here is Jacob's story of growth, recruitment, and readiness for the next stage of life.
How long have you been a part of St. Croix Soccer Club? Tell us about your journey.
This season is currently my third being a part of St. Croix in the ECNL program. I joined the beginning of my sophomore year, the U17 age group, and now I'm a senior, with the U18-U19 team.
What has been a favorite experience at St. Croix Soccer Club?
think my favorite experience within St. Croix is being able to play at a lot of different levels. Being a part of the ECNL program has given me opportunities to play in front of different college coaches at all the showcases across the country and at different levels. The club also provides USL2 and UPSL teams. Gives younger kids the opportunity to see what the college level is like playing against different players at the DI, DII and DIII level, as well as allowing players that used to be former St. Croix and went through the club going up to be able to come back from their college teams and get good experience in the summer.
How has St. Croix impacted you as a player?
The club has impacted me a lot as a player over these last 3 years. I've improved so much and learned a lot as a player and a person. Being able to work with a lot of different coaches in different fields has taught me little things one by one about my game, and has helped me improve a lot. Being able to work with coaches from different levels that have played DI, played DII, coached DI, DII, and DIII, and being able to apply their knowledge to my own game, so that I can improve so much has been a big thing from the club, and I could look forward to continuing to do so throughout the rest of the season.
How has St. Croix shaped you off the field?
The club has also helped me shape myself as a person a lot, being able to learn a lot of different qualities like how to deal with wins and losses, how to deal with trials and tribulations, and being able to come in with a clear and sound minded different opportunities, whether that's within soccer or in school or in the next stages of life, I'm learning and taking in these factors so I can apply it to myself.
It's also helped me shape myself for the future and to be able to achieve my goals. One of my main goals was to play Division I soccer, and I've been able to achieve that and commit myself to the University of Saint Thomas, which I'm looking forward to attending next fall. But I wouldn't be able to do that without the club and the coaches that have supported me along the way, teaching me these things as both a player and a person to know how to approach different coaches and approach different players, so I'm able to present myself in the best opportunity to create chances for myself like I did here and now I'm able to put that into the next level. I hope to continue to do so within college in the next stages of my life.
Would you recommend St. Croix Soccer Club to a family considering joining the club?
I would absolutely recommend this club for anyone that's considering to join. Being a part of St. Croix these last 3 years has been a great experience. I've grown so much as a player and a person. I don't think I'd be who I am today without the coaches and the teammates and the whole community that I've had behind me these last 3 years. I'm very much looking forward to being a part of the future, playing with Legends and other opportunities. I don't think I could recommend it enough. I've had so many positive things to say. I've learned so much. The coaches have been excellent. I've made a lot of my lifelong friends from this. I'm looking forward to keeping in touch with them throughout the next 5, 10, 15 years, and I would absolutely recommend this club to anyone that's considering joining.