Bryce Stekelenburg '24 Recruiting Profile

My love of soccer began early on…back when my shorts met the top of my shin guards.  My hopes and desires of playing collegiate soccer soon followed as a toddler, grade schooler, and now teen attending Army soccer games with my grandfather, a West Point Soccer All American. My parents enrolled me in “Little Kickers” programs at the start, which soon progressed into competitive play on Club teams, one of which placed me on a team two years my senior. As I grew so did my drive, commitment, skill and love of the game. Through the years I have been fortunate to train and compete at the DA level (Development Academy) for awesome coaches, talented teammates, versing some great teams. Playing with and against DA and MLS Academy teams has proven that I not only love “the beautiful game” but that I have what it takes. A pivotal moment in my soccer journey came early in my teens when I was scouted and given the opportunity to attend a regional US National Team ID camp for US Soccer.  My coaches have always called me very “coachable”. I credit this in large part to growing up in a family of five boys (I’m the second oldest) where my parents instilled hard work, kindness and being respectful. 

As I approached High School, I had a difficult decision to make; remain in academy level club ball or find a lesser ranked competitive club team that would allow me to play for my high school team. I was fortunate to earn a spot on a well-established club team’s roster that allowed me to fulfill my desire to play for my high school without forsaking playing for a competitive club team.   

Primarily playing as an outside back player on the pitch, the strongest parts of my game are passing and crossing, on and off the ball defending, and more specific skills including vision and tackling. Some of my secondary positions are defensive mid and center back. My collegiate goal is to play competitive division level soccer while attending a strong academic institution where I can bring a positive, driven, hardworking attitude to all practices, games, while building relationships both on and off the field. I have a strong academic preference for Engineering but my interests are not limited to one discipline at this time.