Last Tuesday, Ben Brewster ’14—a former two-sport Polar Bear—signed a contract to play with the Tulsa Roughnecks of the United Soccer League (USL). While at Bowdoin, Brewster earned All-New England honors in both soccer and lacrosse. Brewster was one of only seven D-III athletes invited to display his skills to professional soccer teams at the Major League Soccer (MLS) combine last summer, earning him eligibility for the 2014 MLS draft.
A Maine native, Brewster won his first accolade early, as he was named NESCAC soccer Rookie of the Year as a first-year, and went on to lead Bowdoin’s defense as a starter throughout his four-year career. He was given the honor of First Team All-New England during his two final seasons at Bowdoin.
His senior year, his play led Bowdoin to allow only 16 goals throughout the entire season. He was then named to the First Team All-American Team—the only NESCAC player that year to win the honor—to cap off his decorated D-III career.
After his final soccer season in Brunswick, Brewster turned his attention to lacrosse, temporarily halting his off-season soccer training. However, as soon as the lacrosse season ended in May, he jumped straight back onto the pitch to continue his soccer training.
He joined the Seacoast United Phantoms, a New Hampshire Premier Development League (PDL) team. After being named captain of the Phantoms, he led the team to a Northeast Regular Season Championship with a record of 11-1-2. While he was playing for the Phantoms, Brewster was attending trials for the USL. After visits to Sacramento, Calif. and Wilmington, NC, he was offered a spot on the roster of the Tulsa Roughnecks.
“I have always wanted to play soccer at a high level” said Brewster. “When I started playing soccer at Bowdoin I was more concerned with my career in college, and did not necessarily focus or think too far after that. Following my junior and especially senior season, I began thinking about the possibilities of continuing my soccer career after college.”
In addition to the excitement of competing at a professional level, Brewster will be competing with a newly reformed team. The Roughnecks are rejoining the USL after an absence of almost 30 years.
“I am very excited to be a part of this new professional soccer franchise in Tulsa,” said Brewster. “Everyone seems extremely excited that professional soccer is coming back to town.”