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

No. 1: Princeton

It’s never too early to start earning victories, even if they don’t count in the win column. The Tigers get a ‘W’ in this year’s recruiting battle, stocking the shelves with a well-rounded class that features some serious game-changers.

Midfielder/forward Stephanie Iantorno (42) is certainly one of them. The Eclipse Select product is a good athlete who has the potential to help the Tigers shore up some of their offensive deficiencies. Rachel Sheehy (51) has a similar difference-making ability. Subtle at times, Sheehy is a smart possession-oriented player who is accurate; she should fit in well with the program.    

Alison Nabatoff (62) is a very skilled defender who communicates well. With the Tigers being a defensive-oriented team a year ago, Princeton makes sense for Nabatoff. She’ll join a strong unit anchored by returning goalkeeper Alyssa Pont.

Keeper Claire Pinciaro (CUFC United) should get a nice apprenticeship behind Pont before developing into a starter.

Princeton also adds forward Jennifer Hoy (F.C. Bucks Vipers), and midfielders Rachel Saunders (Dallas Texans) and Rebecca Shmoys.

No. 2: Harvard

Harvard has to be the early favorite to claim the Ivy League and possibly improve on its first-round loss in last year’s NCAAs.

The Crimson simply has the best combination of freshmen and returners, with the youngsters headlined by PDA forward Caroline Albanese (49). Albanese is a seasoned player with big-game experience who should have little trouble translating her game to the next level.

Alexandra Conigliaro is another incoming player who will try to earn minutes on a talented offensive unit. Harvard returns top playmakers Christine Hagner, Katherine Sheeleigh and Christine Hagner.

Sophomore defender Lindsey Kowal is a returner who can show the ropes to young star Morgan Keefe. Keefe is a strong and tenacious defender who is very good on the ball. Other recruits include Catherine Coppinger, goalkeeper Courtney Diekema and midfielder Alicia Johnson.

No. 3: Yale

The Bulldogs will try to separate themselves from the middle of the pack with a couple sets of club teammates.

Forward Mary Kubiak and defender Lauren Mathy both arrive by way of Eclipse Select. Kubiak’s work rate could help to earn her minutes alongside Yale’s established offensive players like first-team All-Ivy League forward Maggie Westfal, forward Becky Brown and midfielders Megan Ashforth and Miyuki Hino.

Mathy joins incumbent defenders Sophia Merrifield and Caitlin Collins, while Connecticut FC teammates Kristen Forster, a midfielder, and Torrey Leroy, a forward, will try to carve out a niche and find some first-year success.

No. 4:  Penn

Laura Yu, of McLean Freedom, is a player to be excited about. She has a good first touch with the ability to win the ball in the air. Her contributions should help support returning standout Sara Friedman.

The program will bring on several players with US Youth Soccer national playoff experience. The remainder of the class includes: Erin Beck (Fort Wayne Fever), Taylor Collins (Montclair Aristocrats), Alex Dayneka (Cleveland Internationals), Yvonne Moyer (FC Bucks), Rachel Resek (Windy City Pride) and Erin Thayer (FC Portland).

No. 5: Columbia

As long as the Lions have conference Player of the Year Sophie Reiser, they deserve to be mentioned near the top of any Ivy League discussion.

Although, the fact that most of the program’s buzz comes from the returners rather than the freshmen also explains why Columbia isn’t higher up on this list.

Real So Cal Liz Crowe will be among the new additions, along with left-footed midfielder/forward Monica Jean, defender Lexi Nichols, Cat Rawls and goalkeeper Tara Templin, of San Ramon FC.

It’s a good class, but will any of the newcomers make more noise than returning standouts Meggie Ford, Ashley Mistele, Ashlin Yahr or Lauren Cook? If the answer is yes, the Lions are in even better shape than we think.

OTHERS: Cornell has a hefty class of eight that includes Leahi Soccer Club’s Jayann Gabrio and Renee Tornatore, of CASA Black.

Dartmouth has a diverse group of six, including Grace Best (FC Delco) Libby Hamlin (FSA Soccer Plus) and Kim Rose (Albertson Fury), while Brown rings in with four offensive players – Alexa Ellis, Eliza Marshall, Diana Ohrt and Rachael Pack.