SoccerWire is publishing Q&A articles with players who have Featured Profiles in the SoccerWire Recruiting Directory. The series allows players to share their stories on the college recruiting process, playing the game at the international level, travel and high school soccer, and their passion for the beautiful game.
In this edition we will showcase Dalia Sabet, who plays travel soccer in the Girls ECNL for Cleveland Force, and has verbally committed to play college soccer in 2026 at Purdue-Fort Wayne.
SoccerWire: What made you decide to verbally commit to Purdue Fort Wayne?
Dalia Sabet: I decided on Purdue University – Fort Wayne because I feel it will provide me with the appropriate challenges to grow academically and as an athlete. The beautiful campus is a perfect size, and although part of a big city, it’s secluded with trees and a river and easy to get around. The high Purdue academic reputation, location, and tuition were other reasons. The biggest factor I will say though is how comfortable I felt on the campus and during the interactions with the administration, the team, and coaches. I felt so welcomed there, and feel it’s a place I can make a difference as well as continue to grow.
SW: What was the recruiting process like and what did you learn about yourself while going through it?
DS: The recruiting process was mixed for me. It was really hard in the beginning, but then it was fun and exciting towards the end. It was hard because, even though I did have help from my parents, I still had to put in a lot of time and work writing emails, making highlight videos, preparing and posting social media posts, and researching the schools’ academics and soccer programs. The excitement started when I received the calls, emails, and texts on June 15th and beyond from many schools and conferences. It was really humbling. I found out during the process that I need to get better at organizing when faced with big projects and that I really never understood what “feeling humble” meant until then.
SW: How do you feel your strengths on the field will help the Mastodons?
DS: One of the biggest skills that sets me apart is my ability to connect thru balls in crowded and tight spaces, so I feel by adding this technique into the game more, I can help increase the teams’ scoring opportunities. The other way I feel I can help is that I can be switched over to the left wing (since I’m a two-footed player) to help out there if needed, taking on defenders 1 v1 on the sideline and then either cross, pass, or score myself.
SW: What are your favorite subjects in school and what do you think you would like to study in college?
DS: Anatomy and history. I would like to study biology/premed to eventually become a physical therapist or sports medicine doctor.
SW: Outside of soccer, what clubs, organizations, and/or jobs are you involved in?
DS: I’m a member of the Interact club (helping in the community), the Spanish honor society, and I help with the soccer camps and tryouts for Twinsburg travel teams. I am also starting to look into becoming a soccer referee.
What are your favorite pair of cleats that you have ever owned?
DS: Adidas X Speedportal. I keep buying the same cleats over and over.
SW: What has your experience been like playing for Cleveland Force so far?
DS: Playing with the Force has been a great experience so far. All of the coaches have been there helping me grow as a player, and my teammates are very supportive and nice. We have a lot of fun too, especially at our team bonding events like Karaoke night and going to Dave and Busters.
SW: If you could give one piece of advice to a younger player that wants to play at a high level what would it be?
DS: Put in a lot of extra training on your own and with trainers. Know that all top players train a lot outside of practice, so to be able to compete with them, you have to train like them or harder.
SW: Is there anyone that you would like to give a shoutout to who has helped you both on and off of the field?
DS: My parents- they have been there at all times helping me and believing in me no matter what!. And to every single one of my coaches/trainers, my siblings, friends, and of course all my teammates throughout the years.
