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

No. 1: SANTA CLARA

Help is on the way. And lots of it.

The Santa Clara Broncos have far and away the most decorated class in the West Coast Conference and are positioned to put last season’s disappointment, including a 4-12-4 record (1-4-2 in conference), in the rear view mirror.

Midfielders Olivia Klei and Lauren Matheson are as good a tandem as the Broncos could’ve possibly recruited. Ranked eighth and ninth in TopDrawer’s Top 100 respectively, both are seasoned national team performers.

Klei is currently playing with the US U20 National Camp; she has great feet and a special ability to connect with other players in the attack. Matheson is a tenaciously skilled player who sees the field well.

But those two weren’t the only offense the Broncos added. Insert Allie Vernon, of Ohio Elite SA (ranked No. 25 on the Top 100), Sereno SC’s Meleana Shim, Zoe Jeffers, of Slammers FC and Amanda Webster into the fray and you know have a formidable group with the ball.

Santa Clara ranked toward the bottom of the conference in points and goals a season ago, but that will likely be changing sooner than later.

Combine that with some strong prospects on the defensive side, and all-world goalkeeper Bianca Henninger and you have the makings of a resurgence for Santa Clara.
 

No. 2: LOYOLA MARYMOUNT

In Amanda Owens, the Loyola Marymount Lions have a dynamic attacking player who can help breathe extra life into their offense. Cori McGovern, a Mustang SC teammate of Owens’ will bring a good work ethic and give the team a bonus since the two already have experience playing with one another.

On the defensive side, Loyola Marymount picked up So Cal Blues back Kelsey Wilson along with Jordan Nelson and Claire Yearian.

Three goalkeepers add to the depth of the class, which is good enough to rank the Lions at No. 2.

No. 3: PORTLAND

The Portland Pilots are probably least in need of a strong recruiting class after running through the conference and nearly making the Final Four of the Women’s College Cup a year ago.

Although, that logic never stops powerhouses from reloading and dominating all over again each season. Portland is getting arguably the best defensive player in the country in Cloee Colohan.

Colohan, of Black Diamond SC, has size, athleticism and awareness and can control a game from the center back position.

Kendall Johnson, Taylor Brooke and Elinor Priest will try to fill the void on offense left by dynamic scorer Megan Rapinoe.

No. 4: PEPPERDINE

A versatile group of seven marks the incoming group for the Pepperdine Waves. Forward Ashley Correa is a fast attacking player and will be joined by fellow strikers Anisa Guajardo, Michelle Manning and Callie Payetta.

Pepperdine was one of the top scorers in the conference last year but will lose aggressive midfielder Emily Wynne, who has graduated.

Defensively, Salt Lake City, Utah’s Katie Crosland will fill holes along with goalkeeper Roxy Barker.  

OTHERS

Neusport attacker Mariah Hobbs highlights San Diego’s class, while San Francisco will usher in a hefty class of nine.

St. Mary’s(w) will add six, including forward Mackenzie Garrett and defender Kara Yamamoto.