NH soccer is at an all time low

[Guest]

Even worse are their gestapo-like tactics where they knocked down our door and dragged my kid to training sessions.

Right. There is a lot of concern on here about how other people spend their time. Like everything, if something isn’t of interest, don’t participate. The travel factor has been majorly blown out of proportion. And FL in January? I can think of worse things. Like NJ in June, where NAL is holding playoffs or Jeff Cup, which is never fun, because NAL doesn’t provide their own events. Pick what works for your family, and don’t worry about the rest.

I am nearly positive most of the negative posts come from someone who stands to lose….

[Guest]

Putting a different spin on this.

Ten years ago, NH teams who went to regionals would get smashed by anyone that was not RI, VT, ME or maybe WV. Fast forward ten years, NH teams are now competitive with teams from different states all across the east coast.

So are the other states worse than ten years ago, or is the NH teams more competitive? To say they are worse because they are not at the top of certain platforms is unrealistic based on demographics compared to other bigger soccer hot bed states.

I believe soccer in NH has come a long way to what it was ten years ago, just my opinion.

Which regionals are you referring to? Are the top teams from the other states present or are the top teams from those other states at another higher level event?

[Guest]

Which regionals are you referring to? Are the top teams from the other states present or are the top teams from those other states at another higher level event?

Not the OP, but State Cup winners would play, for example, in the NPL Regionals to get to the Nationals. You had two different paths to get there, and NH didn't typically do very well even inside Region 1. There were always a few outliers (Seacoast girls I think got a few teams in the '02-'04 ages I think into the National finals).

NH typically can get 1-2, maybe a couple more, "good" players per age group, but the rest of the teams tend to thin out. Only a few, and could count them on one hand, have been difference makers at a collegiate level and beyond.

[Guest]

Which regionals are you referring to? Are the top teams from the other states present or are the top teams from those other states at another higher level event?

Back during a simpler time…. USYS Regional when state cup was a thing, and all states did it that way.

[Guest]

Not the OP, but State Cup winners would play, for example, in the NPL Regionals to get to the Nationals. You had two different paths to get there, and NH didn't typically do very well even inside Region 1. There were always a few outliers (Seacoast girls I think got a few teams in the '02-'04 ages I think into the National finals).

NH typically can get 1-2, maybe a couple more, "good" players per age group, but the rest of the teams tend to thin out. Only a few, and could count them on one hand, have been difference makers at a collegiate level and beyond.

This is the truth. The top two or so seacoast players will go D1 and that’s pretty much it. After that it’s lots of D2 and D3 players which is perfectly fine.There are a few kids who’s parents make the long drive to Lancaster but they would have to play for stars blue national to be impactful and I doubt there are very many New Hampshire girls on those teams. I have no idea the number but I’m guessing it’s maybe a handful throughout all age groups. There are also a couple of random nh kids on nefc and Aztec teams in northern mass so all in all a great recruiting year for Nh would have 5 girls getting D1 offers. It’s a small state without a ton of elite talent and that is the way it has always been. Things aren’t better or worse,just the same.

[Guest]

This is the truth. The top two or so seacoast players will go D1 and that’s pretty much it. After that it’s lots of D2 and D3 players which is perfectly fine.There are a few kids who’s parents make the long drive to Lancaster but they would have to play for stars blue national to be impactful and I doubt there are very many New Hampshire girls on those teams. I have no idea the number but I’m guessing it’s maybe a handful throughout all age groups. There are also a couple of random nh kids on nefc and Aztec teams in northern mass so all in all a great recruiting year for Nh would have 5 girls getting D1 offers. It’s a small state without a ton of elite talent and that is the way it has always been. Things aren’t better or worse,just the same.

You're overall point is correct, but it's not QUITE that bad. From this past year's first year class, Seacoast put 4-5 players in D1 programs and there were the same amount who played on Stars White from NH who did the same. Now, these aren't all in the top programs - Big East and below, and a few bottom ACC dwellers. If you are west of Manchester, it's not that much farther to go to Lancaster than Epping.

Again, your point is spot on though - just a small state where (geographically) there really isn't much through talent and programs for 2/3 of it so whatever talent there is, there's not a lot of it

[Guest]

A question for the seacoast parents. How are things in epping? Is it same old,same old or have things gotten better or worse? With the Aztec situation at two locations not too far away I would assume epping is getting more kids than usual but I’m not sure how much the parents dislike of the new owners would affect their decision. The title of this thread is about the current state of NH soccer and I’m wondering if the volatility at other clubs has helped seacoast become stronger which would be good for the nh players.

[Guest]

A question for the seacoast parents. How are things in epping? Is it same old,same old or have things gotten better or worse? With the Aztec situation at two locations not too far away I would assume epping is getting more kids than usual but I’m not sure how much the parents dislike of the new owners would affect their decision. The title of this thread is about the current state of NH soccer and I’m wondering if the volatility at other clubs has helped seacoast become stronger which would be good for the nh players.

So you are not part of Seacoast, but want to know?

[Guest]

So you are not part of Seacoast, but want to know?

Correct. Not part of seacoast yet. They are an option. Just wondering how things are going. It’s not a crazy question.

[Guest]

Correct. Not part of seacoast yet. They are an option. Just wondering how things are going. It’s not a crazy question.

My info is outdated (my D has graduated), but to me for girls' soccer if you are an hour away (more if coming from the North), and cannot get to Lancaster on a Stars National team, I'd suggest Seacoast GA 10/10 times. Truthfully, none of the other options north of Lancaster hold a candle to them.

I do understand 3Step has caused a lot of angst with all their clubs, and SUSC is not immune to that. So, if proven wrong, I'm OK with that.

[Guest]

My info is outdated (my D has graduated), but to me for girls' soccer if you are an hour away (more if coming from the North), and cannot get to Lancaster on a Stars National team, I'd suggest Seacoast GA 10/10 times. Truthfully, none of the other options north of Lancaster hold a candle to them.

I do understand 3Step has caused a lot of angst with all their clubs, and SUSC is not immune to that. So, if proven wrong, I'm OK with that.

Much appreciated

[Guest]

At what level are you saying NH is competitive in the region? ODP is a complete joke, the top players do not ever play ODP, a good team would never allow it.

[Guest]

At what level are you saying NH is competitive in the region? ODP is a complete joke, the top players do not ever play ODP, a good team would never allow it.

When they competed in the Regional levels through the State Cup, they would do 'OK' but mostly lose out to a MA team (often SSS). Some of their girls GDA and then GA teams were typically mid-level.

Competitive to me means you are "in" every game. I always looked at it as if my kid's team didn't lose more than half their games, and those they did (outliers aside) were within a goal or two, that's competitive. NH teams are not deep enough to get positive results constantly against MA and CT teams w/in Region 1, but there are players who can and do play on the top MA teams.

Not sure where ODP came into the conversation as it's a dinosaur program filled with leftovers, mostly.

[Guest]

At what level are you saying NH is competitive in the region? ODP is a complete joke, the top players do not ever play ODP, a good team would never allow it.

No New Hampshire teams will ever be competitive on a regional or national level. It’s a small state with essentially one option for talented players that live near Manchester. If you live in a border town you might have some more options but the ride to Danvers or the north shore or Lancaster is terrible during the work week. Team wise the state of nh soccer is simple. You have to hope Seacoast academy has a fluke age group that is incredibly talented that sticks together and is able to make some noise for a few years. Besides that the only hope for nh soccer soccer is a great individual player from seacoast or a stars national team that is able to make a youth national team and represent the state. So in summary the state of nh soccer is the same it’s always been since I became involved 12 years ago.

[Guest]

No New Hampshire teams will ever be competitive on a regional or national level. It’s a small state with essentially one option for talented players that live near Manchester. If you live in a border town you might have some more options but the ride to Danvers or the north shore or Lancaster is terrible during the work week. Team wise the state of nh soccer is simple. You have to hope Seacoast academy has a fluke age group that is incredibly talented that sticks together and is able to make some noise for a few years. Besides that the only hope for nh soccer soccer is a great individual player from seacoast or a stars national team that is able to make a youth national team and represent the state. So in summary the state of nh soccer is the same it’s always been since I became involved 12 years ago.

Danvers?