Tales From the Trail by MatchPlay

In this episode I welcome Webb Kosich , a sophomore men’s soccer student-athlete at the College of William & Mary . Webb has a unique story of overcoming a major setback and persevering to return to playing soccer. I’ve spoken to several of his teammates and they are in awe and inspired by Webb’s journey back to campus and the team. This is an emotional podcast that includes his recruiting sto...

I recently went to the preseason friendly between Hampden-Sydney College and Christopher Newport University both perennial Division III men’s soccer powers. I was able to chat with head coaches Tommy DiNuzzo and Justin Chezem and players, Hampden-Sydney's Uriel Aguirre , Daniel Beb , and CNU's Asher Kuzemka , about the match to get their perspectives on expectations and reaction to the rigors of p...

Hi and welcome to the Tales From The Trail Podcast by MatchPlay. This episode is a big one for us. We welcome US Soccer legend Jay DeMerit. Jay played his college soccer at University of Illinois-Chicago and then decided and committed to pursuing his goal of becoming a professional footballer in Europe. We get into what he went through to finally see that happen for Watford FC . He was instrumenta...

In this episode, the second of our players series, we welcome a current women’s soccer student-athlete, Kenna McCarthy, who plays at Christopher Newport University in Newport News, VA. She was a part of the 2021 National Championship team and brings leadership and maturity that her coach, Jamie Gunderson, who also joins us, finds invaluable. Despite things not always going her way, Kenna is a fant...

This is a special episode, we have current college student-athletes as guests to discuss their recruiting stories and how their careers are going as they enter their senior years. Michael Meese of Trinity University in San Antonio and Augie Cooper of the College of William & Mary join Justin Chezem the men’s coach at Christopher Newport University and I in a conversation that covers a lot of g...

In this episode, Justin Chezem of Christopher Newport University Men’s Soccer and I welcome Brendan Lawler, the women’s coach at Manhattan College and Mike Eckberg, the women’s coach at State University of New York - New Paltz. This is a fantastic conversation with three college coaches who have all been at it a long time. I’m certain that you’ll find the discussion informative and beneficial. Ple...

Justin Chezem (of Christopher Newport University Men’s Soccer ) and I, welcome psychologist, Mike Breske who was also a former collegiate soccer player at Virginia Tech and Christopher Newport University. Mike just finished his internship with the University of Missouri Counseling Center for Student Health & Well-Being, and is also currently studying to earn his PhD in psychology. He currently...

We recorded this live at Discovery ID camp on the campus of Christopher Newport University. This boy’s camp was attended by over 100 student athletes and coaches from 6 different colleges. We took the opportunity to do a question and answer session with the participants and coaches from each of the schools. Fielding questions from the audience was Chris Norris of William and Mary, Justin ‘Cheese’...

In this episode I welcome the head coach of the men’s soccer program at Seattle University, Nate Daligcon. Nate brings a ton of experience and a west coast perspective to the podcast. He’s been a part of the Redhawk program for over a decade and has been instrumental in being a perennial leader of the WAC conference. Also joining us is Michael Teiman. Michael came to the U.S. from Liverpool to pla...

I’m privileged to welcome 3 former college teammates who remain involved in soccer. Emmett Rutkowski is the head coach of the Stetson University Men’s Soccer team, Glenn Gray is the College Advisory Director at the historic youth club, the Richmond Strikers in Richmond, Virginia. I also welcome back Tommy DiNuzzo the head coach of the men’s team at Hampden Sydney College in Virginia. It’s an enjoy...

In this episode I’m privileged to welcome David Marmon, the Head Sports Performance Coach at the University of illinois Chicago. David brings decades of experience in working with collegiate athletes to guide them through improving their performance and wellness. David is a wealth of knowledge and I’m lucky to have him on the podcast. Also joining us again is Chris Norris, the head men’s soccer co...

I welcome siblings who are both head coaches of women’s collegiate soccer teams. Dani Gunderson is the head women’s soccer coach at Muskingum University in New Concord Ohio. Her brother, Jamie Gunderson is the head coach of the Christopher Newport University women’s soccer team in Newport News, VA. Our discussion delves into some deeper topics as well as recruiting. Summary The conversation covers...

Julie Shackford of William & Mary women's soccer offers her perspective on the ins and outs of recruiting and college soccer.

Mike Brizendine the head men’s soccer coach at Virginia Tech and Chris Norris the head coach at William & Mary men’s soccer. We’re fortunate to be able to tap into their decades of experience recruiting student athletes and their insights into how to manage the recruiting process.

Justin Chezem, head coach at Christopher Newport University men's soccer and I welcome Dan for another episode. Dan is coming off a national championship season and is looking for continued success through effective recruiting.

Justin Chezem, Head Coach, Men's Soccer, at Christopher Newport University and I welcome Adam Perron from the University of Virginia. He is the assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for the historic men's soccer team. He provides insights in recruiting, ID camps and more on this episode.

I recently received an email from a parent about the timeline of when recruits fan expect to hear from college coaches. I brought on a Division 1 coach and a Division 3 coach to address when they reach out to players by graduation year. We also discuss the importance of ID camps and other various topics.

Welcome to another episode of tales from the trail. This edition is a special one, Justin Chezem and I welcome an up and coming professional athlete, Carlos Vera. Carlos is outside the usual guest profile, he’s a professional mixed martial arts fighter. He is currently a contestant on The Ultimate Fighter on ESPN. The UFC produced show brings in 16 fighters to compete against each other to determi...

Check out the latest episode of Tales From The Trail by MatchPlay with Julie Shackford the head coach of women's soccer at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia. Coach Shackford shares her thoughts on communicating with coaches prior to tournaments, finding the right fit, and other topics. Summary In this conversation, Julie Shackford, the head women's soccer coach at the Colle...

In this episode I welcome Mike Brizendine, men's soccer coach at Virginia Tech & Chris Norris, men's coach at the College of William and Mary. We discuss several ins and outs of recruiting from the perspective of a coach from arguably the most competitive soccer conference in the country, the ACC.

My guests are Dan Weiler, women's coach at Johns Hopkins University and Justin Chezem, men's coach at Christopher Newport University. We discuss strategies high school recruits can use to become college athletes. It can be an overwhelming process and these insights are highly useful.

Hi, I’m Scot Cooper, founder of MatchPlay. I started this podcast to bring as much information to high school athlete recruits and their families as I possibly can. Everyone who wants to explore playing their sport in college deserves a shot. To make that equitable from a knowledge standpoint, I started MatchPlay’s Tales from the Trail podcast. I hope you find it informative and enjoyable. We’ve p...

Guests Chris Norris, men's soccer coach at the College of William and Mary and Justin Chezem, men's soccer coach at Christopher Newport University continue the discussion of recruiting and specifically how to navigate the process of becoming a college athlete. Highlighted by stories about campus visits.

Part 2 of the discussion with Chris Norris of William and Mary Men's soccer and Justin Chezem of Christopher Newport University both in Southeast Virginia. We continue to discuss insights in recruiting and making the most of your interactions with college coaches.

Chris Norris, Head Coach, Men's Soccer, The College of William and Mary (Division I), Williamsburg, VA Justin 'Cheese' Chezem, Head Coach, Men's Soccer, Christopher Newport University (Division III), Newport News, VA In this episode we discuss writing a succinct & effective email to college coaches. Hit specific points and focus on making it an easy and quick read. Who should write the email?...