There is perhaps no aspect more unique to New England Soccer soccer than the prevalence – and success – of prep schools.
In competing under the NESCAC umbrella, teenagers from local towns and across the world often progress onto college soccer. Division 3 rosters throughout the region are littered with ex-prep school players, but plenty of talent also trickles into the Division 1 ranks.
It’s that latter group which tends to develop into professional soccer prospects, especially in recent years. Here are prep school connections from the last three Major League Soccer SuperDrafts:
• 2016: Jack Harrison (Berkshire, Wake Forest) to New York City FC 1st overall
• 2017: Zeiko Lewis (Berkshire, Boston College) to New York Red Bulls 17th overall; Andrew Wheeler-Omiunu (Roxbury Latin, Harvard) to Atlanta United 46th overall
• 2018: Francis Atuahene (Hotchkiss, Michigan) to FC Dallas 4th overall; Ema Twumasi (Kent, Wake Forest) to FC Dallas 11th overall; Edward Opoku (Millbrook, Virginia) to Columbus Crew SC 32nd overall
Mindful of those trends, we present our Top 15 Division 1 men’s soccer returners from New England prep schools. Incoming freshmen and transfers weren’t considered, but the Class of 2018 boasts several who could soon join these ranks.
