Since last August, Division I college soccer programs knew that – even if games went ahead – players had an extra year of eligibility and an additional year in which to complete it.
That immediately piqued the interest of players and coaches alike, especially seniors and graduate students who could extend their competitive runway. They weren't required to pursue that extra year of eligibility, but knowing the possibility existed created some interesting situations.
The end result is programs around New England welcoming seniors and graduate students back for the Fall 2021 season. Many are key contributors, giving local teams experience and a sure-thing. This whole dynamic has impacted the recruiting landscape and available roster slots, too.
This story will be updated with additional information as warranted. Otherwise, here's how things currently stand:
