With the 2019 women’s Division I college season kicking off on August 22, it’s time to take one last look at the best incoming classes.
Obviously, the top classes won’t reveal themselves until the games are played.
MORE: 2019 college soccer preview content
But factoring in the 2019 IMG Academy Top 150 player rankings, transfers and announced newcomers to for this year, below is the Top 50 incoming classes for 2019.
Please email any omissions or corrections to editor@topdrawersoccer.com.
1. Penn State
Commitments: M Kate Wiesner (Slammers FC – No. 1), M Jordan Canniff (Washington Spirit Academy – No. 9), F Payton Linnehan (FC Stars of Massachusetts – No. 13), GK Julia Dohle (NYCFC – No. 19), D Leah Scarpelli (Cedar Stars Academy – No. 21), M Coriana Dyke (Colorado Rush – No. 27), D Shelby Craft (FC Dallas – No. 66), F Angela Aguero (NYCFC), M Devon Rae Olive (PDA)
Transfers: M Sam Coffey (Boston College)
A healthy Kate Wiesner should be competing for starting minutes right away, the tip of the iceberg for the top recruiting class. Sam Coffey is going to be huge for them, especially with the departure of the uber-talented Emily Ogle.
2. UCLA
Commitments: F Sunshine Fontes (Hawaii Rush – No. 5), F Mia Fishel (San Diego Surf – No. 16), M Brecken Mozingo (Celtic FC – No. 38), M Kali Trevithick (San Diego Surf – No. 39), M Jaclyn Gilday (United Soccer Alliance – No. 51), F Janae DeFazio (Davis Legacy), D Kylie Kerr (Mustang SC), M Emily Mickelsen (So Cal Blues), GK Hannah Mitchell (Cedar Stars Academy), D Brianne Riley (Strikers FC), F Rachel Lowe (Western Sydney Wanderers)
Transfers: Lucy Parker (LSU)
An already impressive class received a nice boost with Rachel Lowe coming from Australia to Westwood. Sunshine Fontes may not play this year after tearing her ACL while playing high school soccer, though she has the tools to be successful once she bounces back. There should be a handful of players that can come in and impact the game for the Bruins right away.
3. USC
Commitments: M Croix Bethune (Concorde Fire SC – No. 8), F Olufolasade Adamolekun (United Soccer Alliance – No. 22), M Jaelyn Eisenhart (Slammers FC – No. 25), F Hannah White (Tophat SC – No. 46), F Lillian Babalola (Concorde Fire SC – No. 109), F Savianna Gomez (Beach FC – No. 116), D Savannah Kessler (Legends FC – No. 122), D Katharine Bishop (LA Breakers FC), D Kennedy Enus (Heat FC), F Bel Rolley (Heat FC), M/F Lily Slater (Slammers FC)
Transfers: D Natalie Ward (Notre Dame)
There’s little doubt that USC, which won the 2016 national champion, are here to stay among the nation’s elite. This promising 2019 group should continue that trend, with Bethune a particular highlight.
Commitments: D Maycee Bell (NC Courage – No. 14), D Tori Hansen (NC Courage – No. 15), M Maggie Pierce (NC Courage – No. 35), F Aleigh Gambone (McLean Youth Soccer – No. 56), GK Marzia Josephson (NC Courage – No. 63), F Isabella Brown (NC Courage – No. 68), D Julia Dorsey (Bethesda SC – No. 118), F Isabel Cox (North Carolina Fusion), F Hallie Klanke (Sporting Blue Valley SC), M Elizabeth Moore (Wilmington Hammerheads FC), M Alexis Strickland (CASL)
Transfers: D Lois Joel (West Virginia)
Some of the best talent on the East Coast – predominantly from North Carolina – is the foundation of UNC’s 2019 class. Maycee Bell played for the U.S. U20s at last year’s Nike Friendlies, while Gambone is a smart, clever attacking player coming from a very good McLean team.
5. Duke
Commitments: M Sophie Jones (San Jose Earthquakes – No. 3), M Sarah Piper (Colorado Rapids – No. 31), GK Ruthie Jones (Charlotte Soccer Academy – No. 32), M Julia Burnell (Penn Fusion – No. 47), M Natalie Maurer (Richmond United – No. 60), M Julia Hannon (FC Fury NY – No. 77), M Sarah Miller (New Jersey Stallions Academy), M Emily Duerr (NC Courage Youth)
A high-quality group is heading to Durham in the fall, which is going to need a significant injection of talent after the players that have moved on over the past two seasons. Sophie Jones is a clever, cerebral player that Robbie Church can build around for the next four years.
