* Classes weighted by TopDrawerSoccer.com Players To Watch® & Top 100 Lists

No. 1: Nevada

A hefty class of 10 young players highlights the upcoming season for the Wolfpack. The team should be bolstered at many positions and has reason to believe it can move from last year’s finish in the middle of the pack - no pun intended.

Midfielder Samantha Johnson (Real So Cal), Emma Rice (Real So Cal) and Samantha Strom (Slammers FC) have the potential to be difference-makers on the offensive side, while keeper Dana Moreno, along with backs Lauren Braman and Pauline Roman for a team that allowed more conference goals per game than anyone else.

Look for 2009 to be a year of new beginnings.

No. 2: Idaho 

The Vandals put together possibly the worst offensive campaign of any team in the conference a year ago. Consequently, they’ve enlisted help.

Midfielder Amber Pimley (Real So Cal) highlights a big group that also includes San Diego Surf players Kristi Atkinson and Chelsea Small along with Canada’s Cassandra San and Jill Flockhart.

Idaho, which finished last in points and goals per contest in conference play, managed just one victory all season. And while it will take more than one recruiting class to turn things around it appears things are at least headed in the right direction.

No. 3: Hawaii

Not a sizeable class for Hawaii, but the program picked up some well-regarded local talent nonetheless.

Leahi Soccer Club’s Kaitlynn Holt tops the list that includes Chelsey Goo, Skye Shimabukuro and Chaney Lopez. The Rainbow Wahine finished 4-2-1 in the Western Athletic Conference a season ago with a lot of young talent that should be primed to return as better players.

No. 4: New Mexico State

This is somewhat of a sentimental pick, we admit. With the inaugural women’s season looming for the Aggies, coach Michael Needham has enlisted the services of more than 20 players who will no doubt make this a memorable year for the program regardless of results on the field.

Players like Crystal Burns, Jazmin Cardoso, Lauren Cope and Alyssa Yard make up the school’s first-ever female class. It’s an open opportunity for players to establish themselves and that dynamic should make for an exciting season.

No. 5: Utah State

The Aggies are the leaders in the clubhouse, having won the conference in 2008 with a perfect record of 7-0-0.   

Utah State was the top offensive program of a year ago but did lose top attacker Taryn Fukuroku. The incoming class includes Courtney Cawley, Jamee Dyches, Rachel Feuz, Ellen Larsen, Amy Marple and Kami Montgomery, among others.

Can you say repeat performance in 2009?

Just maybe.

Others: San Jose State will definitely be a major factor in the conference once again. The team will get a couple of versatile players in Kelsey Lord and Shannon Righetti who should help the program right away.

Both Boise State and Fresno State will welcome in eight players apiece in hope of making a climb from the middle of the standings.

Check out our other recruting class rankings.