Reaching new heights on a soccer scholarship in the US
Lidia Nduka’s journey from Germany to JMU as a soccer forward
Lidia Nduka is a soccer player from Mönchengladbach, Germany. She was successfully recruited by a college coach and went on to play for James Madison University (JMU). Before moving to Virginia, she had a successful youth soccer career, including playing in the German U17 Bundesliga.
We had the chance to speak with Lidia about what it’s like to being a player on a soccer scholarship and what made her US college experience extra memorable.
For several years, you studied in the USA on a soccer scholarship. What exactly does that look like?
The special thing about it is that you can fully focus on soccer and your studies without having to worry about financial matters. The conditions you get there are truly professional. We had high-quality training facilities, were equipped by Nike, and had our own physio rooms as well as doctors who were present at every game.
Video analysis and GPS trackers were also part of our everyday routine. At the same time, we were in close contact with our professors, so traveling to away games was never a problem for our studies.
What do you particularly like about your life in the USA?
What I particularly enjoyed was campus life. There were around 28,000 students at my university, and the campus felt like a small city of its own. There was always something going on, and you quickly got to know many new people.
I also really enjoyed traveling to away games with the team, as it allowed me to see and experience many different parts of the USA.
Would you recommend making the move to the USA to young athletes?
Especially for women who want to play competitive soccer, I can absolutely recommend taking this step. In the USA, you never get the feeling that you are valued less or treated worse. The conditions at many universities are sometimes even better than those at some Bundesliga clubs. At the same time, you have the opportunity to develop enormously both athletically and personally.
The path to professional soccer also remains open after graduation, which was ultimately the case for me as well. And even if you later decide against pursuing a professional sports career, I believe that degrees and experiences from the USA are highly valued. In job interviews, I was very often asked about my time there.
How did Keystone Sports help you on your journey to the USA?
Although I entered the process relatively late, Keystone Sports supported me perfectly throughout the entire process – from the visa process to making sure I arrived on campus on time before the start of the season.
There was always someone available, even while I was in the USA, in case any questions came up. Despite starting the process late, I still received several offers from different Division I and Division II universities and ultimately decided to attend JMU.
Which event will you remember forever?
One particularly special experience was the Sun Belt Championship Tournament in Orange Beach, Alabama. We spent a week there with the team and, at the end of the season, had the opportunity to play in a major tournament in a beautiful stadium and a fantastic location.
I will also always remember the first two weeks of preseason each year. During that time, you got to know the new team members and did an incredible amount together. This created a very special bond within the team. It often felt like a second family because we spent so much time together. I am still close friends with many of my former teammates to this day.
What have you been doing professionally and athletically since returning from the USA?
I currently work in the field of cybersecurity and continue to play football alongside my career in the German 2. Frauen-Bundesliga (second-tier women’s league).
Want to experience college soccer in the US on a scholarship, just like Lidia? Keystone Sports can help you make it happen! Take our free assessment, and we’ll evaluate your chances of earning a soccer scholarship – completely free and with no obligation.
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