These tremendous freshmen leave us intrigued about the possibilities a sophomore campaign will bring:

Mariah Nogueira, Stanford: Can you possibly imagine a more beneficial freshman season than the one Nogueira just had? We can’t. She got to earn her apprenticeship with one of the top programs in the country while playing alongside two of the best players in the nation - Christen Press, and the newly professional Kelley O’Hara. And not just that, but she gained indispensable experience with a run to the national championship game. Not bad.

Along the way, Nogueira proved to be a great physical presence in the middle of the field, where she started 22 games and was fourth on the team in points, ending a near dream season by winning Pac-10 Freshman of the Year honors.

Rachel Quon, Stanford: Ok, remember what we just said about Nogueira? Ditto for Quon. The 2009 National Gatorade Player of the Year quickly became a staple for the Cardinal backline, starting every game she played in. What Quon gives up in size she make up for with quickness and quick striking ability. She isn’t bashful about getting the ball forward and will likely do even more building from the back as she earns more seniority. A great story, Quon came back from an ACL injury in 2007 and hasn’t lost a step.

Zakiya Bywaters/Chelsea Cline, UCLA: This tandem will surely be heard from for the next few years. These two young attackers weren’t the least bit shy about breaking into the collegiate level. Bywaters is extremely quick, athletic and dangerous with the ball. Bruins coach Jill Ellis was able to spend extra time with her future star pupil while working at U.S. National Team events.

Cline didn’t quite see the amount of minutes Bywaters did, but she certainly made the most of her time by scoring three goals and added six assists. With the duo of Lauren Cheney and Kristina Larsen having moved on, the opportunity for bigger things is now available for these two.

Samantha Johnson, USC: There were times during last season when Johnson was simply the best player on her team. Quite a few times, actually. Johnson is powerful and athletic and has the kind of physical dominance you just don’t see in first-year players. She does not shy away from contact, and this U.S. national-teamer is the future of the Trojans. Coach Ali Khosroshahin has a good young core to work with, but Johnson should be the center piece of the future.

Chelsea Buckland, Oregon State: After red shirting for her freshman year in 2008, Buckland was clearly a cut above when she finally took the field for this season. The opportunistic striker led the team in goals and points despite starting just one game and playing considerably less minutes than some of her more seasoned teammates. She is great around the goal, isn’t afraid to take shots and came up with four game-winning goals. I think the Beavers just found a scorer to build around.