My D1 Journey: Transferring and Growing as a College Goalkeeper

My name is Drew Novaes and I am a goalkeeper at the University of Pacific. I played on a very competitive ECNL team while I was in high school and that was when I realized I wanted to play soccer at the next level.

I began my recruiting process pretty early. I attended my first ID camps the summer after my eighth grade year in order to get noticed early and begin making connections with schools. Throughout high school, I attended more ID camps and went to college showcases with my ECNL team, which helped tremendously with exposure to college coaches. I began connecting with a couple of schools but San Jose State continued to stand out to me throughout the whole process. I eventually committed my junior year of high school because I felt that San Jose State met my athletic and academic goals and the coaching staff was welcoming. My freshman year was quite humbling to say the least and I struggled mentally and physically.

The transition from living at home with your parents and playing club to living alone and playing collegiate soccer isn’t something that anyone can prepare you for until you live it. Having to manage your school work and sport while still prioritizing your mental and physical health is very challenging, but also rewarding. I ended up redshirting my freshman year but I learned so much about myself and enjoyed meeting new people along the way. I got to travel during my sophomore year and loved every second of it. I was finally getting the hang of what Division I collegiate soccer was like—but deep down, I still wasn’t as happy as I knew I could be. I started considering the idea of transferring, especially as changes in the coaching staff took place. I wanted to be somewhere I felt valued and appreciated for the player and person that I am. I decided to enter the transfer portal and at first it was scary, but I kept telling myself that everything happens for a reason and that I will end up in a better place. A couple weeks after being in the portal, I finally found my new home. I committed to the University of Pacific and I was beyond excited for this new journey.

I’m sharing my story for a couple of important reasons—most of all, to help young athletes recognize their worth. You are more than just a player in the game; you are a whole person, navigating life beyond the sport. I’m sharing my story to help athletes understand that failing—again and again—is a part of the journey. What matters most is how you respond. At the end of the day, you only have so many years of eligibility, so make them count. Choose environments that support your growth, prioritize your well-being, and allow you to enjoy the game you love. 

Choosing My First D1 Program

Initially, I was drawn to San Jose State (SJSU) because of the appealing culture and great facilities. I believed that it was the perfect distance from home and that I would be challenged academically and athletically. I committed pretty early in the recruiting process, so I was able to develop a relationship with my future teammates early on. I visited the school many times and also got a bit more understanding of the coaches’ style of play. I was young and naive, and had no idea what was to come. Everything seemed great. 

During the recruiting process, my main goal was to play division one soccer. My whole life up to this point was centered around soccer, so I knew nothing else. I worked my butt off in order to get noticed by coaches, so once I finally began talking to coaches my junior year, all of my goals and expectations of playing at the next level seemed to be falling into place. In all honesty, I don’t think I truly knew what I wanted and valued in a program because I hadn’t been in an environment that challenged me to think about what I truly needed to thrive. I made my decision to commit to SJSU solely based on what felt right at the time. 

Looking back on my junior and senior years of high school, I wish I had been given more information and felt better prepared to decide where I wanted to spend the next four years. In my opinion, the recruiting process and collegiate sports were completely sugar-coated, and I wish I had known what I was truly walking into—beyond the phone calls and campus tours.

The Reality of D1 Soccer

The transition from club level soccer to D1 collegiate soccer was a change for me, but I adjusted pretty quickly. I would say the most challenging aspect was the lifestyle change and learning to live independently while also prioritizing my academics. Being a college athlete at any division is very challenging but once you learn how to organize your academics, develop a routine, and manage your time effectively, it becomes easier to handle the demands and actually enjoy the experience. Soccer wise, the speed of play was quicker than the club level of play that I was used to, but it doesn’t take much time to adjust if your coach sets you up to succeed. 

Certain strategies that helped me succeed academically included planning each day and keeping a to-do list of everything I needed to complete. I also maintained a separate digital planner on my computer with all my classes, homework assignments, and due dates. In addition, it’s important to build strong connections with your professors so you feel comfortable asking for help, staying on top of missed work due to travel, and showing them that you’re committed both in the classroom and on the field.

I came from a very competitive club team where everyone contributed to the team’s success and training involved the entire squad—regardless of who played the previous weekend—so, college soccer was very different in that sense. It’s more difficult to break through and play, especially as a freshman, so coming in mentally and physically ready will set you apart from the rest and eventually lead to success. However, even if you come in prepared, ready to compete and deserving of a chance, playing time is still not guaranteed—and that was something I didn’t fully understand at the time. When you aren’t given a chance to compete and prove to your coaches and team that you deserve to play, overtime, it begins to wear on your mental health and causes you to question if you even want to play anymore. At this point in my career, I had little to no confidence in myself anymore, but I’ve always had high expectations for myself, so I kept working hard.

At this point, I relied on my why. Why did I keep showing up for myself, for my teammates, and for the game I loved, even when things felt heavy or when I felt overlooked. Holding onto that purpose kept me grounded and reminded me that my journey mattered. 

Making my Decision to Tranfer

My two years at SJSU taught me a lot about what I truly value in a program and what kind of environment I need in order to succeed. As I began reflecting on my time there, I realized I didn’t feel like the best version of myself. The environment didn’t feel as professional as I had hoped, and something was missing. I wanted to be held to high standards, but I also craved a strong sense of culture and connection within my team—both of which were lacking.

At first, I almost didn’t want to admit I was even considering transferring. I didn’t want to be seen as someone who walks away when things get tough. But over time, I came to understand that my situation was different. If I truly wanted to enjoy my college experience, I couldn’t just wait around and hope things would change.

To make things more complicated, a coaching change happened halfway through the spring semester, which was a tough transition for the entire team. That period made it even clearer that my time at SJSU was coming to an end. And while the idea of starting over somewhere new was scary, I knew deep down that it was a necessary step if I wanted to grow—not just as a player, but as a person. 

Navigating The Transfer Process

Once I entered the transfer portal, things moved quickly—I started receiving emails from coaches and reaching out to programs. But this time around, I knew I had to dig deeper and figure out what I truly valued in a school and athletic program. I took a step back and asked myself important questions: Would I still want to attend this school if I wasn’t playing soccer there? Did I care more about the facilities or about genuinely enjoying my experience? I focused on long-term goals—how the school could benefit me after graduation or prepare me for post grad—and whether it offered the academic programs I was passionate about. To narrow down my options, I listed the pros and cons of each school, considered how each place made me feel, and ultimately chose the one that felt like the best personal and academic fit. I knew I had to visit these schools in order to make a confident decision, so I took about a week to visit the schools that I was interested in and I really went off the vibes of the school and coaching staff. In order to feel confident in my decision, after each visit I mentally told myself I was going to attend that school to see how it truly felt—emotionally, academically, and athletically—before comparing it to my other options. Thankfully, at the end of my visits I knew which school was right for me because of my preparation going into each visit. Making sure to ask the important questions and truly getting an idea of what going to school there would be like is so important in order to feel confident in your decision.  

I also learned not to fall for surface-level appeal; some programs sound perfect on paper because coaches are trained to sell them, but it's crucial to talk to current or former players and ask hard questions about their actual experiences. Don't get swayed by the most well-known Division I name or other people’s opinions—go where you feel you belong. Keep your options open too, even if that means considering junior colleges. Overall, prioritize what matters most to you—not just now, but for your future.

My biggest piece of advice for anyone looking to commit to a college or transfer to another program is to think long term and consider whether each school aligns with your future goals.

Also, I know it’s hard being in high school and not necessarily having much information on what college sports is really like or what it will be like to move away from home/live independently, but that’s why it’s so important to ask questions, do your research, and talk to current or former players to get a real sense of what to expect. There’s no strict timeline or rush to commit to a college early just for the sake of it—make sure it’s truly the best fit for you academically, athletically, and socially.

My Experience at My New D1 Program

If you are processing the idea of transferring, I would sit down and be honest with yourself about whether you believe you are truly happy where you are. There are obviously many factors that contribute to being happy at a school—social life, athletics, academics, and location all play a role. You might be enjoying some aspects but not others, and that’s completely normal. The key is figuring out what matters most to you. Being clear about your priorities when choosing a program will help guide you toward a better fit and set you up for success.

If you’re thinking about transferring, my biggest advice is to be honest with yourself, ask the hard questions, and think long term. Don’t make a decision based on pressure or outside opinions. Talk to current or former players, do your research, and focus on what you want—not just for now, but for your future. Transferring can feel overwhelming, but it can also be the best decision you make for your personal and athletic growth.