With just over a month to go until the start of the Division I women’s soccer season, and soon-to-be freshmen are hard at work preparing for next month’s preseason.
A glut of first-year talent will join college soccer soon, and with just over a month to go, changes are still taking place in the latest recruiting rankings update.
MORE: Check out the full list of released recruiting classes
Recent transfer announcements has seen USC take a step up the ladder, while the latest update includes the Top 40 Division I recruiting classes. Based off player resumes and the IMG Academy Top 150 rankings, it’s an approximation about which programs may have the best freshmen this fall.
Expect to see one last update to the rankings in August, ahead of the start of the season.
2016 Recruiting Class Rankings: July update (*-denotes official announcement released)
1. UCLA*
Commitments: F Mallory Pugh (Real Colorado – No. 1), M Marley Canales (San Diego Surf – No. 2), M Jessie Fleming (NorWest SC – No. 10), F Sunny Dunphy (San Diego Surf – No. 22), F Jacey Pederson (PSV Union – No. 30), D Kaiya McCullough (San Diego Surf – No. 94)
Transfers: F Julia Hernandez (Eastern Florida State College)
Steady as she goes for UCLA, even if Mallory Pugh ends up not playing for the Bruins this fall, as reports last week suggest (she'll be part of the U20 World Cup squad in Papua New Guinea barring a late change). Regardless, Fleming, Dunphy, McCullough and Pederson will provide an immediate boost to the team's depth.
2. Virginia*
Commitments: M Zoe Morse (Michigan Hawks – No. 9), F Alissa Gorzak (Eclipse SC – No. 13), F Taylor Ziemer (Santa Rosa United – No. 23), F Meghan McCool (Penn Fusion – No. 42), D Elizabeth Sieracki (Concorde Fire SC – No. 84), F Samantha Rosette (New Jersey Stallions Academy – No. 88), D Phoebe McClernon (Penn Fusion – No. 90), D Kayla Morrison (FC Virginia – No. 136), M Anna Sumpter (SOCA), GK Sarah Maurer (Roanoke Stars)
Virginia secured its committed class, with ten stars penciled into joining the Cavaliers this fall. It’s going to be a young group in Charlottesville this fall, with players like Zoe Morse and Alissa Gorza aiming to make an immediate impact.
3. North Carolina*
Commitments: F Zoe Redei (Eclipse SC – No. 3), F/D Taylor Otto (CASL – No. 6), F Bridgette Andrzejewski (Maryland United FC – No. 18), F Madison Schultz (Crossfire Premier – No. 20), F Morgan Goff (CASL – No. 106), D Abigail Staker (CASL), F Kasey Parker (South Carolina United FC)
The Tar Heels announced their seven-player class in May, securing a crop that should be able to supply a couple of starters in the fall. Madison Schultz spent the spring season in Chapel Hill, and is in contention for a starting role in the fall. Taylor Otto was also enrolled early, though she’s in contention for the U20 World Cup, which could lead to her missing the college campaign.
4. USC*
Commitments: M Savannah DeMelo (Beach FC – No. 4), F Samantha Bruder (Real So Cal – No. 31), F Julia Bingham (Slammers FC – No. 34), D Courtney Corrin (Real So Cal – No. 49), M Daria Petredes (Beach FC – No. 54), M Jalen Woodward (Crossfire Premier – No. 87), F Taylor McMorrow (San Diego Surf – No. 118), GK Kaylie Collins (Mustang SC – No. 145), D Lulu Pullar (Brisbane Roar), M Ashleigh Plumptre (Notts County)
Transfers: F Alex Anthony (Maryland), F Leah Pruitt (San Diego State)
Two late transfer additions of Anthony and Pruitt push USC past Duke into the No. 4 spot. If the two can provide the scoring thrust the Women of Troy lacked at times last fall, it could be a huge coup. Savannah DeMelo is likely to make the U20 World Cup roster and miss the 2016, which would be a bit of a blow. It’s certainly a big group heading to SoCal, but it has the potential to help both now and in the future.
