SoccerWire is publishing Q&A articles with recently-committed players who have profiles in the SoccerWire Player Directory. The series will allow players to share their stories on the college recruiting process, travel and high school soccer, and their passion for the beautiful game.
In this edition we will showcase Caroline Liptak, who has committed to play NCAA Division I soccer in 2024 at Marist. Liptak plays travel soccer in the ECNL for Pittsburgh Riverhounds Academy, and attends Shady Side Academy in Pittsburgh.
SoccerWire College Recruiting Directory member since July 2023.
SoccerWire: What made you decide to verbally commit to Marist?
Caroline Liptak: Marist places a great value in both athletics and academics, which, in addition to the beautiful campus and great soccer team environment, makes it a great fit for me.
SW: What was the recruiting process like and what did you learn about yourself while going through it?
CL: My recruiting process took longer than I anticipated due to an untimely ACL tear in March of my sophomore year. While I still received great response from coaches on June 15th of that year, I was unable to attend ID camps and other events that summer and fall due to my injury. I had to focus on rebuilding myself back stronger than I was before my injury, and then, re-start the recruiting process in December of my junior year. I dealt with adversity I did not anticipate and what I learned about myself is that as hard as I believed I could work, I found that my desire to recover and return to soccer motivated me to push myself beyond what I thought was my maximum ability. I had great support from my coaches along the way and everything worked out in the end by finding the right school for me: Marist.
SW: What are your favorite subjects in school and what do you think you would to
study in college?
CL: Science and English are my favorite subjects but I also have a sweet tooth for the arts. While I have not yet decided on my college major, I look forward to exploring new subjects at Marist before choosing my major and minor areas of study.
SW: Outside of soccer, what clubs, organizations, and/or jobs are you involved in?
CL: I’ve done volunteer work at the Carnegie Science Center, and am currently employed at Highmark Stadium. I am also the president of the military and veterans service club at my high school, Shady Side Academy.
SW: What has your experience been like playing for Pittsburgh Riverhounds?
CL: The high-level tactical training along with the intensive speed and strength training, have been highlights for me at the club. Also, having the opportunity to train and play with many Riverhounds alumni who now play for top D1 colleges across the country, as a member of our inaugural Riverhounds Women’s USL Academy team, has been a great experience.
SW: How has social media helped you with the college recruiting process?
CL: Social media is a great tool to help expand your presence in the soccer community. I used it to promote my schedule along with video highlights of my play and training.
SW: If you could give one piece of advice to a younger player that wants to play soccer at a high level what would it be?
CL: Don’t just train for the position you play now, train to play any position on the field.
SW: Is there anyone that you would like to give a shoutout to who has helped you both on and off of the field?
CL: I’d like to give a shoutout to Mike Whiteman, my speed and strength coach at the Riverhounds, who has helped me harness my athletic abilities and supported me through my recovery from ACL surgery last year.
