Ben Leisegang '23 Recruiting Profile

        I am a creative, technical, and intelligent midfield player best known for my ability to control and influence the game and provide results in the attacking third whether that be goals or assists. I have been fortunate to work on my development as a player both domestically and internationally. I have been invited to train at a number of professional academies and clubs internationally which include Ipswich Town U18s, Colchester United U18s, Chelmsford City FC First Team, Marbella FC U16 & U19 Juvenil, and others. More recently I was on trial with Colchester United's U18s for 4-6 weeks and have been asked to return to the UK to continue playing with them. I have currently been playing for the Strikers FC MLS Next U19 Academy Team, who are currently ranked as the #13 U19 team in the country according to Top Drawer Soccer Rankings but previously I have spent time with Orange County SC USL Academy Team, FC Malaga City U19's, Marbella FC U16's (4 months) and Pateadores USSDA 2004/2005 Academy team.  In addition to that, I was selected to represent the ODP West Region 2004 Team at the interregional event in Orlando, FL where I recorded 2 goals and 1 assist in three games, and was then selected to represent the USYS ODP National Team in January. Furthermore, I have competed in the Top Tier of European Academy competition against the likes of Atletico Madrid, Levante, Extremadura, Cadiz, Malaga CF, Albacete, and many others. 

        To facilitate my soccer responsibilities, I am currently completing my Junior-11^th grade year through Apex Virtual Learning Academy.  While soccer is my passion, I enjoy being intellectually challenged and as a result, I am a driven and hard-working student that has maintained a 4.0+ GPA throughout middle school and my first three years of high school.  After taking four honors classes my freshman year and dedicating myself to the success of my high school soccer team, I was awarded both the Junior Varsity Scholar-Athlete of the Year award and received the Junior Varsity Coach’s award at Santa Margarita Catholic Highschool. This past school year, I have maintained my GPA, completing all honors and AP courses with the exception of Spanish.

        I am highly driven, goal-oriented, and organized, and as a result, I am interested in attending a Division One University, that has a rigorous academic program. I understand that playing at the Division One level in college is extremely demanding, but I believe that with my current student-athlete experience, my hard work, commitment, dedication, and determination to succeed, I will be able to compete, shine, and be a valuable asset to a Division One Collegiate soccer team. Living as a student-athlete combined with the experience of a professional level player lifestyle, I believe has prepared me for the demands of top Collegiate level soccer and academic programs.