Cade Likhite

Growing up playing soccer, basketball, football, baseball and now lacrosse, Cade Likhite has always been an athlete. But when it came to playing a sport in college, Likhite didn’t know what he wanted to pursue at the next level until midway through his high school career.

“I always knew I wanted to play a sport in college but I never thought it would be soccer,” Likhite said. “But during my sophomore year, I decided that now is the time to completely focus on soccer and fully lock in on the recruiting process.”

Likhite was contempt on making varsity going into his junior year summer. With many other talented goalies in his class, Likhite turned his training up a notch in hopes of making the team.

“I knew I had a shot of making varsity… it was a long shot. I really worked hard that summer, made sure I was in really good shape, ready to do the Cooper (two mile run in under 12 minutes),” Likhite said.

When Likhite made varsity during his junior year fall, his career and chances of playing at the next level instantly shot up.

“That was definitely one of my highest moments at ETHS. All my hard work paid off,” said a proud Likhite.

Over his two years on varsity, with two other hard working goalkeepers in the class, head coach Franz Calixte primarily rotated the goalies during the regular season. During both postseason runs though, Likhite got the notch and started.

“I was really lucky to have Alex and then Milo this past year. Each one of us would start on a different high school team,” Likhite explained. “Everyone pushed each other day in and day out but it was definitely always a fun environment.”

The recruiting process for Likhite didn’t crystalize until deep into his senior year. While he had a lot of offers at the division three level and a few division one offers, Likhite wasn’t initially attached to one school or another.

After emailing and networking with more schools this year, Likhite got in touch with Stonehill College head coach Jim Reddish. During winter break of this year, Likhite went to a camp there and would go on to receive a division one offer there shortly after.

“I didn’t think I played that well at the camp but he must have seen it in me. He reached out to a few of my coaches and then I ended up getting the offer,” Likhite explained.

“I was ready to commit [and] I was just ready to be done with the process. I was really happy it was finally happening.”

For Likhite, this new opportunity is exciting but he also remembers the great burden becoming a Division 1 athlete came with.

“I put myself through not only a lot of physical pain, but also mental pain,” Likhite reflected. “There were many hard drives back from games that were difficult. Sometimes I used to ask myself, ‘Is it worth it?.’ I am happy it all worked out.”