075: The Junior College Experience with Kaylin Olivas

As young goalkeepers consider their college options, one that doesn’t often reach the top of the list – but provides plenty of benefits – is junior college. Kaylin Olivas, the goalkeeping coach for both the men’s and women’s soccer programs at perennial NJCAA power Laramie County Community College, discusses the perks of starting at the junior college level – in the classroom, on the pitch, and in your pocketbook.

In today’s episode – the first installment in a six-part series comparing the various divisions and varieties of college soccer in the U.S. – Kaylin discusses the junior college game, including the biggest differences when compared to the better-known NCAA. Drawing on her experience as a Division 1 goalkeeper for the Wyoming Cowgirls, she lays out the pluses and minuses at both levels.

In addition to describing junior college soccer and Laramie County, Kaylin also begins to demystify the college recruiting process, provides some tips on getting on the radar of your favorite teams and coaches, and lists the qualities she looks for (and avoids) in goalkeeping recruits.

And if all of that’s not enough, there’s even an Outtakes segment (below) with extended discussion on redshirting at the junior college level, and the many opportunities available to international players.

Special thanks to Kaylin Olivas for joining me!