With mid-July in full swing, the 2018 women’s Division I college season is nearly here.
MORE: Women's DI recruiting class announcements | Women's DI transfers | 2018 IMG Academy Top 150
Incoming recruits are already beginning school early, with summer school helping DI athletes gear up for a hectic fall as they begin their first season of college soccer.
There’s a high-level heading to women’s DI programs later this year, as evidence by the July update to the recruiting rankings. Below is the latest version, now covering the top 40 classes as they stand as of publication.
Please email any omissions or corrections to editor@topdrawersoccer.com.
1. Stanford*
Commitments: F Sophia Smith (Real Colorado – No. 1), D Naomi Girma (California Thorns – No. 5), D Sierra Enge (So Cal Blues – No. 13), GK Katie Meyer (Real So Cal – No. 32), M Bianca Caetano-Ferrara (San Diego Surf – No. 48), F Abigail Greubel (Slammers FC – No. 77)
The Cardinal’s class takes over the No. 1 spot – for the time being. Can Stanford hold on? Sophia Smith is a high-impact player make the move there, and she should thrive in Palo Alto. The Cardinal are poised for yet another top-ranked recruiting class.
2. USC*
Commitments: M Madeline Vergura (FC Stars of Massachusetts – No.17), GK Anna Smith (Seattle Reign Academy – No. 34), F Penelope Hocking (So Cal Blues – No. 20), GK MacKenna Carmichael (LA Galaxy), M Ashley Soto (So Cal Blues), D Logan Wells (San Diego Surf)
Transfers: Natalie Jacobs (Notre Dame), Alea Hyatt (North Carolina), D Jessie Holmes (Florida), M Megan McCashland (Notre Dame)
The 2016 champions load up, with a variety of different pieces in various positions around the field. The transfer additions of Jacobs in particular should provide immediate results.
3. North Carolina*
Commitments: M Brianna Pinto (NTH Tophat – No. 3), M Rachael Dorwart (Penn Fusion – No. 8), F Rachel Jones (NTH Tophat – No. 9), GK Claudia Dickey (Charlotte Soccer Academy – No. 25), F Mary Elliott McCabe (Charlotte Soccer Academy – No. 125)
Five recruits are poised to head to Chapel Hill, with all five in the Top 150. The Tar Heels have made this official, so it’ll be interesting to see how their pedigree translates on the field.
