The Player of the Year leaderboard is a weekly list of the ten players making the best case to win the prestigious award. The latest update features a newcomer finding form ahead of conference play, as well as multiple players pulling away from the pack.

MORE: Best of Women’s College Soccer Week Five | Week Four Leaderboard

The list is in last-name alphabetical order, starting with any newcomers breaking into the top ten.

Jace Holley, Colorado (Newcomer)

Honestly, Holley or teammate Faith Leyba could have entered the leaderboard due to their strong goal-scoring starts, but the edge goes to the sophomore whose 20 points are tied for third in the country. The Colorado star has been on fire all season, scoring in six of eight games to lead the team to a 6-1-1 start. The only hole in Holley’s resume is that she has failed to score in her two matches against power-4 opposition, something she will have ample opportunity to correct with Big 12 play beginning this week. 

Macy Blackburn, Texas Tech

Continuing her incredible productivity this season, Blackburn played all 90 and delivered her eighth assist in a narrow 2-1 victory over Utah State. Those eight helpers are second only to Swinarski and lead all defenders.

Seven Castain, TCU

Castain found her goal-scoring boots with a double to lead a 2-1 win over Gonzaga.

Izzy Engle, Notre Dame

As she has done all season, Engle scored a crucial equalizer in the eventual 2-1 win over NC State, bringing her to seven goals. 

Elise Evans, Stanford

The Cardinal hit the road, drawing Clemson 2-2 and defeating Pittsburgh 6-0 in a match where Evans scored her third of the year.

Ai Kitagawa, Memphis

The Tigers won their lone match of the week, a 1-0 result over Charlotte, where Kitagawa played all 90 minutes. 

Izzy Lee, Illinois

Lee earned her seventh clean sheet of the year, this time making three saves in a 0-0 Big Ten opening draw with Indiana.

Mia Minestrella, Duke

Minestrella scored both goals Duke managed on the week while losing 1-3 to No. 7 Virginia and beating Miami (FL) 1-0.

Amelia Swinarski, Louisville

Louisville split the week with Swinarski starting in the 2-0 loss to No. 2 Florida State, and the 1-0 defeat of Virginia Tech.

Olivia Thomas, North Carolina

Thomas significantly boosted her POTY resume by scoring an 87th-minute game-winner to defeat Virginia Tech.

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