* Classes weighted by TopDrawerSoccer.com Players To Watch® & Top 100 Lists
* Number in parenthesis represents Players To Watch® Top 100 ranking

The ACC is the best conference in women’s college soccer. In fact, it’s so stacked that we’re breaking their conference recruiting ranking into two parts.

In this edition you’ll find the teams that finished in the bottom half of last year’s standings.

These teams are by no means also-rans however, and in some cases would top recruiting classes in other conferences.

Heading this list is a team with a bright future.

No. 1: Miami (FL)

The Hurricanes will bring in a group that includes winger Jordan Roseboro (46), midfielders Emilie Huser (31), Megan Siebert (74) and defender Fatima Nasser (88). These three nationally ranked players help give Miami a slight edge over its competition.

Huser is a revelation in the midfield as a creative attacker. Out of Shattuck-St. Marys Academy, she creates opportunities for herself and teammates. Nasser, of the Michigan Hawks, can play both ways and brings great athletic and mental tools to the table.

Michigan teammate Kate Howarth will also be joining the action and will provide the program with more depth at the forward position.

Miami is only losing a small handful of key players like Jordan Ross, Corynn Carino and Rachel Rigamat and will look to build on last year’s NCAA appearance.

No. 2: Maryland

Nipping at the heels of the Hurricanes are the Terrapins with a class of nine highlighted by offensive players Megan Gibbons (Laurel Soccer Club), Domenica Hodak (Albertson SC), Danielle Hubka (Internationals SC), Caitlin Mooney (Dallas Texans) and Olivia Wagner (Real Colorado).

With those five, Maryland should be fairly covered in the playmaking department. Defenders Bailey Bodell, Erica Page and goalkeepers Lianne Maldonado and Shannon Zickler round out the signings.

Last year featured a young core that included standout freshman defender Sade Ayinde and forward Lydia Hasting along with junior goalkeeper Mary Casey. They’ll all be back and better than ever.

No. 3: Wake Forest

The Demon Deacons will be ushered into a new era by midfielders Lindsey Holman-Kelley, of the So Cal Blues, and Braddock Road YC’s Marisa Park.

The two players should complement one another well, with the smaller Park bringing exceptional striking ability.

On the defensive side, Jaclyn Logue, of Mt. Laurel United along with Alisha Woodson (CASL) stand out among the new players. Woodson, in particular, is a poised defender with good speed and leaping ability who should make a strong impact on the college level.

Midfielders Ally Berry, Kristen Meier and Shareen Sutherland should also bring big things to the program.

No. 4: Clemson

The Tigers finished second to last in their conference a year ago, but have some promising additions that could help change the culture.

Defender Heather Marik (86), of Eclipse Select, is the kind of hard-working ball-winner who could help instill a winning attitude in the players around her. She distributes the ball well and doesn’t hesitate to join the attack.

Callie Cavanaugh is a two-way player from Charlotte SC and will be joined by Roanoke Star striker Maddy Elder and goalkeeper Kris Gasparovic.

Clemson will lose key players Molly Johnson and Julie Bolt but also have quite a bit of talent to look forward to.

OTHERS

NC State will welcome in goal scorers Kara Blosser and Megan Proper to a team that will be looking to win its first conference game in more than a year.

Virginia Tech gets an incomplete, as it didn’t release its signings.

CLICK HERE TO READ PART 2