From a Chance Decision to Collegiate Success: Miles Demarest's Journey in Goal

Miles Demarest had no idea a random decision in second grade would turn into a lifelong passion and one that would eventually lead him to the collegiate soccer stage.
It started when his youth coach asked for volunteers to play goalkeeper. Demarest raised his hand.

"I think I just wanted to do it because it was kind of different and interesting," he said. "Then, I ended up sticking with it for the next 14-plus years."

Demarest first fell in love with soccer at four or five years old, playing in a local league with friends. As he began to embrace the unique challenge of goalkeeping, he quickly moved into competitive club soccer and set his sights on playing at the next level.

Now a junior at Claremont-Mudd-Scripps, Demarest is living that dream and thriving.

"Since a young age, I always watched [Manuel Neuer] kind of revolutionize this sweeper-keeper style of play," Demarest said. "He made it so you're not just a goalkeeper saving shots, you're the first line of attack. That's how I try to play too. Yes, I'm the last line of defense, but I want to be the one starting the next play."

A Career Highlight
Last season, in just his second year with the program, Demarest was the starting goalkeeper for a CMS team that finished 16-3-2, winning both the SCIAC regular season and tournament titles. The Stags advanced to the Sweet 16 in the NCAA Division III Tournament in one of the program's best finishes in recent memory.

Demarest called the second-round win over Colorado College a career-defining moment.

"It was an awesome experience to travel with my team to Colorado in November - cold weather, snow around the field, and winning in front of their fans," he said. "That's going to be a memory I carry forever. And it wouldn't have happened without the guys around me."

Adding to the significance of the moment: his father was in the stands.

"He played football growing up and has always been one of my biggest influences," Demarest said. "He taught me to work hard, and to never get too high or too low. As a goalkeeper, mistakes are part of the game - you've got to keep your chin up. Seeing him there for that moment meant the world."

Balancing Life On and Off the Field
Beyond the pitch, Demarest is equally ambitious. As a Robert Day Scholar, he's on track to complete both his bachelor's and master's degrees in four years. He also leads the Claremont Investment Banking Club, serves as a team lead in the Graphite Group, and participates in campus research.

With so many responsibilities, he's had to develop strategies to stay grounded and organized.

"First off, you have to buy into the fact that you're going to work hard," he said. "Organization is key. Early morning practices actually help because I get the whole day after to focus on academics. But you have to be ready to commit at all times - doing homework on the bus, staying focused on the road."

Finding Time to Recover
Despite the full schedule, Demarest emphasizes the importance of recovery, both physical and mental. One of his favorite weekly rituals is a Friday night board game session with teammates.

"I think it's really important to have things outside of soccer," he said. "You need to laugh, decompress, and enjoy time with people you care about."
He also makes use of the small breaks between classes to reset.

"Sometimes it's just a 15-minute walk, a call to your parents, or talking to a friend. It helps you step back and get your mind off the stress. I've learned to lean on the people around me and my support network. That's how you keep from getting bogged down."

Looking Ahead
After last year's deep postseason run, Demarest and the Stags have returned with even more drive. "Once you get a taste of that success, you just want more," Demarest said. "I love competition. I love knowing it's me and my teammates against another group, and one of us is going to come out on top. That's what makes this so special."

As CMS pushes for another NCAA tournament run, Demarest remains a central figure, not just as the last line of defense, but as a leader and tone-setter for the entire program. With his relentless work ethic and a team-first mentality, both he and CMS Soccer are poised for a bright future.