In this episode, we cover…
(0:00): Elon Rutty shares how she discovered soccer later than most athletes after trying gymnastics, tennis, and track growing up in Charlotte, North Carolina.
(1:55): She explains how quickly she fell in love with soccer and worked her way up through Charlotte Soccer Academy despite starting at age 10 or 11.
(3:01): Elon discusses the college recruiting process, mentorship from coaches, and ultimately choosing Villanova as the right fit academically and athletically.
(6:52): She shares advice for younger athletes navigating recruiting and explains why choosing a college should be about more than just sports.
(13:09): Elon reflects on the importance of building an identity outside soccer and finding interests beyond athletics during college.
(17:13): She opens up about injuries, tearing her ACL, and the emotional process of stepping away from competitive college soccer.
(21:18): Elon explains how coaching and mentoring helped her stay connected to soccer after her playing career changed.
(22:07): She shares practical ways young athletes can improve outside organized training, including pickup soccer, film study, and technical repetition.
(27:29): Elon breaks down why work ethic, grit, and mental toughness separate good players from great players.
(37:15): She reflects on why coaching young athletes has become so rewarding and how mentorship helps players grow both on and off the field.
Elon Rutty on Coaching Soccer
For Villanova soccer player and coach Elon Rutty, soccer has always been about much more than the game itself. While many athletes begin playing almost as soon as they can walk, Elon actually discovered soccer later than most players and built her career through work ethic, self-awareness, and a willingness to embrace uncomfortable situations. Today, she uses those experiences to help mentor and coach the next generation of athletes both on and off the field.
Starting Soccer Later Than Most Players
Before soccer became a major part of her life, Elon Rutty spent time experimenting with different sports and activities growing up in Charlotte, North Carolina. She first started in gymnastics and tumbling before eventually realizing she wanted a sport that felt more team-oriented and social.
Eventually, Elon narrowed her interests down to tennis, track, and soccer before joining a recreational soccer team despite having almost no experience with the sport.
She laughed while describing how little she initially knew about soccer, but coaches quickly noticed her athleticism and encouraged her to continue developing. Unlike many elite soccer players who begin training extremely young, Elon started playing seriously around age 10 or 11.
That late start shaped the advice she now gives younger athletes:
It is never too late to start playing soccer.
Falling in Love With the Process
Once Elon started playing soccer competitively, she became obsessed with the process of improving. She loved the challenge of learning new skills, seeing progress over time, and competing alongside teammates.
She eventually worked her way up through Charlotte Soccer Academy (CSA), one of the top soccer clubs in North Carolina, before entering the college recruiting process during high school.
Elon credits much of her recruiting success to mentorship from coaches and older athletes who helped guide her through the process. She explained that recruiting initially felt confusing and overwhelming because she did not fully understand:
- How to communicate with coaches
- How recruiting timelines worked
- What schools were looking for
- How to evaluate college programs
Having mentors who had already experienced the process made everything far less intimidating.
Choosing Villanova and Finding the Right Fit
Although Elon originally explored another university, the opportunity ultimately did not feel like the right fit. Later, a coach she had previously connected with invited her to visit Villanova University — a decision that completely changed her path.
When discussing college recruiting, Elon emphasized that athletes should remember the process is mutual. While athletes often focus entirely on impressing schools, she believes athletes also need to evaluate whether a school truly fits their personality, goals, and lifestyle.
For Elon, choosing a school involved much more than soccer alone. She considered:
- Campus environment
- Academics
- Weather and location
- Team culture
- Life outside athletics
- Career opportunities beyond soccer
She encourages younger athletes to think about college from a holistic perspective rather than focusing only on athletic status or division level.
Identity Beyond Soccer
One of the most powerful themes throughout Elon’s conversation was the importance of developing an identity outside of sports.
Like many college athletes, Elon realized how easy it becomes to tie your entire identity to athletic performance. When injuries and setbacks happen, athletes often struggle because they no longer know who they are outside of their sport.
At Villanova, Elon intentionally explored interests outside soccer by:
- Joining a fashion club
- Building friendships outside athletics
- Exploring Philadelphia
- Pursuing mentoring and coaching opportunities
- Developing career interests beyond soccer
She believes athletes actually enjoy sports more when they allow themselves to grow outside athletics instead of placing all their self-worth into performance.
Overcoming Injury and Stepping Away From College Soccer
One of the most emotional parts of Elon’s journey involved her battle with injuries during college. After suffering an ACL tear along with fractures in her foot, she faced difficult decisions about continuing her playing career.
Elon explained that one of the hardest realizations was understanding that fear — not passion — was keeping her attached to the sport. She worried about who she would become without soccer because the game had shaped her identity for so many years.
A conversation with her coach ultimately helped her view the situation differently. Instead of staying in soccer out of fear, Elon realized she could still remain connected to the sport through coaching, mentorship, and helping younger players grow.
That perspective gave her confidence to step away from competitive college soccer while still maintaining a healthy relationship with the game.
Why Pickup Soccer Still Matters
When discussing player development, Elon emphasized that young athletes often overlook one of the simplest ways to improve: just playing soccer.
In addition to technical drills and team practices, she encourages athletes to:
- Watch professional soccer
- Study film
- Play pickup games
- Train in uncomfortable environments
- Compete with unfamiliar teammates
For Elon, pickup soccer teaches players how to adapt, communicate, and become comfortable in unpredictable situations — skills that become extremely valuable during ID camps and college recruiting events.
She also believes pickup games help athletes become more versatile because they force players to experiment with different positions and styles of play.
The Trait That Separates Good Players From Great Ones
When asked what separates good athletes from great athletes, Elon immediately pointed to work ethic.
According to her, elite players consistently:
- Push through discomfort
- Avoid cutting corners
- Stay mentally engaged
- Ask questions
- Seek improvement outside practice
- Compete for teammates, not just themselves
Elon explained that coaches quickly notice athletes who consistently give maximum effort even during conditioning, repetitive drills, or difficult moments.
For her, grit matters far more than natural talent alone.
Coaching and Mentoring the Next Generation
After stepping away from Villanova soccer, coaching became one of the ways Elon stayed connected to the game she loves. What originally started as a side job during college quickly turned into something much more meaningful.
Today, Elon works closely with athletes on:
- Technical soccer skills
- Confidence
- Positioning
- Mental toughness
- Recruiting advice
- Mentorship off the field
She finds fulfillment in watching athletes grow not only physically, but mentally as well.
Why Growth Happens Outside Comfort Zones
Throughout the conversation, Elon repeatedly returned to one major lesson: growth happens when athletes become comfortable being uncomfortable.
Whether it involves:
- Playing with older athletes
- Competing for positions
- Joining unfamiliar pickup games
- Recovering from injury
- Adjusting to college athletics
Elon believes athletes improve most when they challenge themselves in difficult environments rather than staying comfortable.
For young soccer players navigating recruiting, development, and identity both on and off the field, Elon Rutty offers a perspective built around balance, resilience, mentorship, and long-term growth.
About Athletes Untapped
Want to crush it on the field like Elon? Start training with a private coach and untap your potential.
We connect families & athletes with private sports coaches. Hosting over 3,000 coaches nationwide, head to our website and find a local/vetted coach near you!
