Earning the Step Up

Climbing the College Soccer Ladder with Evan Howard: NAIA → D1 → USL

In this live webinar, Evan Howard walks through his journey climbing the U.S. college soccer ladder, moving from NAIA Georgetown College, to NCAA Division I Coastal Carolina, and now competing at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, while also performing in U.S. summer leagues.

Evan’s pathway wasn’t linear, and it wasn’t guaranteed. It involved transfers, re-evaluation, summer leagues, and making the most of opportunities as they appeared.

The session is hosted by Miguel da Silva from Platform Sports Management, who will guide the discussion around what Evan’s journey shows about recruitment, timing, and realistic progression for young players.

What We’ll Cover:

Rather than explaining the system, this webinar focuses on lived decisions and outcomes, including:

Moving from NAIA to Division I soccer
When and why transferring makes sense
The role of summer leagues in development and exposure
Playing in the U.S. vs England at different stages
How opportunities are earned, not promised
What athletes can control as they move up levels

The aim is to give athletes, parents, and coaches a clearer understanding of how progression actually happens over time.

"I can't thank the team at Platform Sports enough for their incredible support in helping me secure a swimming scholarship at Penn State University. Their personalized guidance, extensive network, and deep understanding of the process made my journey from New Zealand to the US a breeze. If you're a swimmer looking to make a splash across the Pacific, Amrit, Tash, and the team is your ultimate gateway.”

Cooper Morley, Penn State University

NCAA Division I Swimming

"Working with platform sports made my process of college recruitment so easy. I was constantly looked after by the team and they helped me through every struggle one would face when trying to go to America for sports. Working with them has been such a good experience and I will always thank them for the time and effort they put into me and my goals."

Kayla Van De Ven , Wichita State

NCAA Division 1 Golf

"Partnering with Platform Sports Management was a game changer for me and my family. Through their professionalism and hard work they have turned my dream into reality. They didn’t just represent me but also believed in me. Helping to push me to where I am now. Very thankful for all that they have done!”

Keegan Kelly, University of Denver

NCAA Division I Soccer

Your Hosts

Miguel & Evan

Miguel Da Silva, Platform Australia Recruiter

Miguel brings a lived understanding of the U.S. college soccer system shaped by resilience, adaptability, and a deep knowledge of the pathway.

Over the past five years, Miguel has competed across four different college soccer programs and three semi-professional summer league clubs in the U.S. Experiences that have given him first-hand insight into recruitment, transfers, and the realities of college sport. During his freshman year, he earned NJCAA All-American honours and finished as the third-highest goal scorer in NJCAA Division I.

Miguel’s journey hasn’t been linear. He’s navigated transfers, injuries, and setbacks that tested both his performance and mindset. Those experiences now shape how he supports others.

Now part of the Platform Sports team, Miguel works as a college recruiter and mentor, helping student-athletes and families better understand the U.S. college system. From transfer pathways and summer league opportunities to managing injuries and staying mentally resilient, he brings practical, real-world insight that goes beyond highlight reels.

Evan Howard, NCAA Division I Soccer Player (SIUE), Former NAIA Athlete

Evan Howard is a NCAA Division I soccer player at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) whose college journey has taken him through multiple levels of the U.S. system.

Starting at NAIA Georgetown College, Evan earned a move to Division I, playing at Coastal Carolina before transferring to SIUE. Along the way, he has competed in U.S. summer leagues including USL League Two (Lionsbridge FC) and NPSL (Lubbock Matadors), gaining exposure at each stage.

Evan’s pathway is a practical example of how progression in college soccer actually happens — through performance, timing, transfers, and making the most of opportunities as they arise.

Guest Speaker

Evan Howard

NCAA Division I Soccer Player (SIUE), Former NAIA Athlete

“We’re excited to add a college recruitment pathway for our users and partners, bringing together education and sport in a way that creates real, lasting opportunities. Even more so, we’re proud to do it alongside a like-minded company like Platform Sports.”

Bryce Poisel

Talentlockr, Founder

“At LifeTime, we pride ourselves on putting the players' needs first and taking a holistic approach to an athlete's development. We have chosen to work with Platform as we recognise those same values. Amrit and his team have gone above and beyond for our athletes and we look forward to continuing to work with Platform in the future.”

Marc Svenson

LifeTime Tennis Academy, Brisbane

“Amrit and Platform not only has an in-depth knowledge of the College system but works hard to make sure the athlete secures the right fit right from the start. They also genuinely cares about each athlete and continues to be there for them throughout their college career, and for me that makes a huge difference.”

Kevin Smith

PGA Pro Coach

“With Platform, I found a very personalised approach to the recruitment process. Ultimately, I feel that they genuinely care about the athletes they represent. This makes them stand out amongst the rest”

Jake Gardner

Director of the PBI Academy in Dubai

What is this webinar about?

This free session is designed to educate parents and athletes on how the US college system works for student athletes. We’ll cover scholarship opportunities, academic requirements, the recruitment process, and what life is like as a student-athlete in the US.

Will this help my child get a scholarship?

Yes! We’ll walk you through how scholarships work for track and field, how to improve your child’s chances, and what college coaches are looking for in both athletes and students.

Do we need to have elite times or rankings to be considered?

Not necessarily. We’ll explain the different levels of college competition (Division 1, Division 2, NAIA, JUCO) and how there are opportunities for a wide range of athletes—not just national champions.

Will you explain the academic requirements too?

Yes, absolutely. We’ll cover GPA, SAT/ACT requirements (if needed), and how academics play a role in the recruitment and scholarship process.

Is this relevant for international families?

Yes! The webinar is tailored for international athletes looking to study and compete in the US. We’ll talk about the visa process, eligibility, and how international recruitment works.

What happens after the webinar?

You’ll receive a follow-up pack with the full college roadmap, scholarship checklists, and an option to book a free one-on-one call with our team to discuss your child’s specific situation.

Is there any cost to attend?

No, the webinar is completely free to attend.

Climbing the College Soccer Ladder with Evan Howard: NAIA → D1 → USL

Live Online Webinar

Progressing Through College Soccer: What NAIA to D1 Really Looks Like

What We’ll Cover:

Who It’s For:

What Our Athletes Say

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