Mitchel Varley '22 Signs Letter of Intent to Play Soccer at Providence College

Berwick Academy twelfth grader Mitchel Varley, a native of Portsmouth, NH, has signed a Letter of Intent to continue his education and soccer career at Division I Providence College next year. Varley is a multi-sport athlete at Berwick, playing hockey and lacrosse in addition to his endeavors on the soccer field for both Berwick and Seacoast United.

Varley joined the varsity soccer team in his ninth-grade year and has been an impactful player ever since. The four-year starter fought through a 2020 season altered by the COVID-19 pandemic and an injury in the middle of the 2021 season to remain a key leader on the varsity squad. Throughout his career on the Hilltop, Varley has netted 44 goals and added 23 assists for a total of 67 points. This past season, despite limited action, Varley managed to tally nine goals and 11 assists, and help lead the team to the NEPSAC semi-finals. 

“He’s an exceptional talent, and while he possesses a natural flair for the game, he is also one of the hardest workers I have ever coached,” head coach Patrick Connolly said of Varley. “This type of commitment has helped raise the standards for his teammates, and for that reason, he has been part of some very successful teams in his four years with us. His statistics are impressive in many ways, and had he not lost an entire season to the pandemic and suffered an injury this fall, he surely would have set all-time scoring records at Berwick Academy. Apart from that, he was a three-time Eastern Independent All-League player and a team captain this year. 

“His pace, skill on the ball, and finishing instincts cause opponents to game plan specifically for him, while his understanding of the game allows him to pull his teammates into the action. In short, Mitchel is a tremendous leader, a remarkable player, and a generous teammate. He's the type of player that might come around once a decade and will be very difficult to replace, but I'm grateful that our paths coincided. I'm sure that Providence College will be very pleased with what they're gaining next year.”

Director of Athletics Rob Quinn added, “Berwick Academy has benefited greatly from Mitchel’s talent and ability, not only on the field but also in providing a connection between Berwick Academy and Seacoast United, his club team made up of some of the best soccer players in the area. We are proud of Mitchel's accomplishments as a player and teammate during his time on the Hilltop and excited to see his next chapter at Providence College.”

Providence College is a member of the Big East Conference. The Friars’ soccer program began in 1968 and is currently led by head coach Craig Stewart. The team has earned 11 NCAA Division I tournament bids, including appearances in three of the last six seasons. The Friars most recently advanced to the third round of the 2021 tournament, falling to #3 Georgetown on November 28.