The new women’s college soccer season is upon us, which means the return of the TDS Player of the Year Leaderboard, a weekly tracker of who is in play for the highest individual honor in college soccer. Last season saw Jasmine Aikey of Stanford receive the trophy, but now graduated, the crown is wide open. Here are the ten favorites for the TDS Player of the Year trophy ahead of the 2026 season.

Kennedy Bell, Michigan State

The reigning Big Ten Forward of the Year is a must-have on the list. After transferring from Maryland, where she played a little bit of every position, Bell found her footing as a game-breaking attacker for the Spartans last season. This team has championship potential, which will be key to how far the North Carolina native goes in the TDS Player of the Year race.

Summer Denigan, North Carolina

A do-it-all midfielder transferring from Georgia to North Carolina, Denigan is in an ideal position to make a run at the POTY trophy. For one, she is a veteran with 67 career appearances, meaning she knows the ins and outs of college soccer. Secondly, she is a proven commodity with countless awards to her name. One more epic season could be in play for the Kentucky native.

Izzy Engle, Notre Dame

Engle, the 2024 TDS Freshman of the Year and 2025 ACC Offensive Player of the Year, is undoubtedly one of the best college soccer forwards of the last decade. To enter legendary status, the Minnesota native needs to lead a College Cup run, something the Irish roster is highly capable of. That season, matched with her phenomenal rate of 38 goals in 41 games, would likely lead to the TDS Player of the Year trophy.

Samantha Erbach, Florida State

A 2025 finalist for the award at Xavier, Erbach transfers to Florida State and a system that should fit her strengths to a T. The dilemma is the defending champions boast a typically loaded roster, which could limit how reliant they are on the Ohio native until postseason play comes around. Still, if the junior can produce double-digit goals and assists once more, and the Seminoles make another College Cup run, then the trophy is in play.

Finley Lavin, Memphis

Lavin, a two-time AAC Defender of the Year, is without a doubt one of the best in the country. In fact, the Maryland native may be the best defender in the country with a game that excels on both sides of the ball. Memphis came close to a perfect season last year, something that the team will be desperate to repeat. If the center back can lead the team to another top-5 ranking, this time with a deep postseason run, then the TDS Player of the Year trophy could be heading to Memphis.

Hope Leyba, Colorado

Leyba exploded for 22 goals last season, 12 more than her first two seasons combined. It was not a fluke either, as the Arizona native scored all types of goals from headers to long-range scorchers and solo runs. The Buffaloes are potential dark horses for the title, and if Leyba can lead that charge, then the award is in play. 

Mia Minestrella, Duke

Duke is among the core favorites for the College Cup title, and Minestrella could be the leader of it all. The California native has scored 30 to go along with 12 assists over the last two years at an absurd rate of one goal contribution every 60 minutes. If the dynamic forward can lead another College Cup run, then the trophy may be hers.

Y-Lan Nguyen, Stanford

The reigning TDS Freshman of the Year is not likely to light up the stat sheet, but her impact is just as outsized. Her soccer IQ and technique at midfield were crucial in helping the team to the national final last season. Now a sophomore with several program legends graduated, the Virginia native will be looked to step into a leadership role. If the Cardinals can be anywhere near as dominant, then Nguyen could take home the biggest individual award in college soccer.

Ellie Walbruch, BYU

From 11 goals in 2024 to 16 in 25, Walbruch is not only clutch, but she is also a proven commodity in front of goal. BYU has plenty of motivation going into the season as the legendary Jennifer Rockwood will be retiring after 32 seasons. The Utah native could be the leader who ensures the year is a success, setting the table for a trophy-laden season.

Sydney Watts, Vanderbilt

A story of steady improvement, Watts went from no goals as a freshman to nine as a sophomore, then 16 last season as the SEC Offensive Player of the Year. The key here is the Commodores have the roster to compete for the College Cup, placing the Kansas native in excellent position if she can produce the goals to lead that charge.

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