The BIG Ten Women’s Soccer Conference has a few staples they are known by, two of which are some of the best athletes in the country and a tendency for a team’s fortunes to flip from one season to another. Every game is a battle, and last season saw Michigan State win the regular season in an undefeated manner before Penn State beat them in the conference tournament championship; a ninth Big Ten tournament title for the Nittany Lions. And with programs like Maryland and Nebraska on the rise, this season promises to be another volatile one in the heart of the BIG 10. Here is a preview covering everything you need to know before the BIG Ten women’s soccer season begins.

2022 Regular Season Standings:

1. Michigan State 9-0-1 (17-3-3) – Second Round

Winners of the regular season conference championship, Michigan State also reached the conference tournament final as part of their elite season. They did, however, build that run off the back of multiple talented seniors they will now have to replace going forward. But with Justina Gaynor returning as one of the best midfielders in the country, coupled with other valued returners and Coach of the Year, Jeff Hosler, Michigan State should not be too far off their pace from last season.

2. Northwestern 7-2-1 (16-5-2) – Round of 16

With more starters returning than most teams and the reigning Conference Freshman of the Year in Caterina Regazzoni, Northwestern is arguably the favorite to win the BIG 10. And as a team whose season ended in the Round-of-16 to the eventual national champions, Northwestern has every reason to believe they can make another deep run.

3. Wisconsin 6-3-1 (11-5-3)

Despite what most would consider a good season, the failure to take down ranked opponents ultimately cost Wisconsin in receiving an automatic bid. Wisconsin played four opponents in the top 25 and was winless in those games with an 0-3-1 record. That will motivate the team as it returns most of its starters and brings in the 28th-ranked recruiting class.

4. Nebraska 5-3-2 (8-7-5)

John Walker and his staff can smell their first NCAA tournament since 2016 as the roster continues to go from strength to strength, returning 12 players who played over a thousand minutes last season. They would have felt like a win in the conference semi-final would have been all they needed to earn an automatic bid but ultimately dropped the result to Michigan State. With a hunger to get the program back on the NCAA path, this Nebraska team could make waves in the BIG 10.

5. Ohio State 5-3-2 (11-6-3) – Second Round

Ohio is one of the more overlooked talent-rich regions in the country, and Ohio State has used that to its advantage as it built the 14th-ranked recruiting class. With that class combined with an attacking style that often sees the team explode for multiple goals, Ohio State is one of the most entertaining teams to watch next season.

6. Penn State 5-3-2 (15-5-3) – Round of 16

The conference tournament champions continued that momentum to the final 16 of the NCAA tournament. All they have done since is add a highly touted transfer in Rebecca Cooke, who led the NCAA in goals with 22 at Quinnipiac. Be aware of a team that should again compete for the conference crown and a deep tournament run.

7. Rutgers 5-3-2 (13-5-2) – First Round

It was always going to be tough to follow a 2021 season where the team reached the Semi-Final of the NCAA tournament. A rebuild is at hand, and Rutgers will know they have the recruiting qualities and depth needed to return to their best sooner than expected.

8. Minnesota 4-4-2 (8-8-3)

As a team who did not lose a single game by more than a goal, Minnesota could have easily had a different type of season. That points to a well-coached team who are never out of any game they compete in. Minnesota could win ten-plus games and receive an automatic bid next season with the right luck and momentum.

9. Iowa 2-3-5 (5-6-7)

Iowa ended its season positively, defeating the #13 team in the country, then drawing #24 the following game. And with multiple ECNL and Girls Academy standouts in their recruiting class, Iowa will look to build on that end-of-season momentum and accomplish more high-level results.

10. Illinois 2-5-3 (7-7-4)

Needing improvements across the board, Illinois has made some waves through the portal and 2023 class. The latest example is Isabel Rolley, a grad transfer who started games during her stints with USC and, recently, Oregon. Another solid addition is Mya Archibald, who competed at the 2022 U17 World Cup with Canada and will immediately be one of the most athletic players in college soccer.

11. Maryland 3-7 (4-8-5)

Arguably the most intriguing team to follow this season, Maryland boasts a 22-player recruiting class ranging from highly touted recruits and an ECNL All-American in Kennedy Bell to coveted prospects in the transfer portal, such as Lauren Wrigley, a junior from UNC. It gives second-year head coach Meghan Nemzer the 11th-ranked recruiting class in the country as she supercharges a rebuild with the challenge of blending what is essentially a brand-new roster.

12. Michigan 2-6-2 (7-8-3)

The BIG Ten can be unforgiven, and Michigan suffered a steep fall off from the prior season, where they won 18 games, the conference tournament, and reached the quarter-finals of the NCAA Tournament. That happened as they lost many starters from before and saw a drop off in their cohesiveness. But with the 19th-ranked recruiting class in the country, Head Coach Jennifer Klein is steadily building another world-beater.

13. Indiana 1-7-2 (3-7-7)

Indiana nearly went winless in conference play but did not, thanks to an Ava Akeel game-winner in the last game of the season, which is far from ideal for a program that has not been relevant in championship discussions for a long while. The key to the rebuild will be recruiting elite talent, something the program has improved upon with each class.

14. Purdue 0-7-3 (3-11-3)

The 2022 season began as Purdue would have liked. They came in with a top-20 recruiting class in the country, boasting a trip to the second round of the NCAA Tournament from a 15-win season, and defeated #5 USC 3-0 in front of a sold-out home crowd. Then the wheels fell off as the team won only two more games and none in conference play. But that season was a one-off as Coach Drew Roff has shown elite tactical and recruiting acumen in his eight seasons at Purdue, so be on the lookout for a team that could be the most improved in the conference.

 

Top Freshmen to Watch:

Nicollette Kiorpes, Penn State (#10 Ranked TDS Class of 2023)

The U.S. U17 National Team star comes to Penn State adding even more firepower to team up with Cooke and her 22 goals from the season before. Kiorpes combines creativity with great timing and athleticism to get on the end of chances, a mix of traits that could set college soccer on fire.

Zoe Cuneio, Michigan (#37 Ranked TDS Class of 2024)

Initially, a member of the 2024 class, Cuneio has reclassified to join Purdue a year early. The tall center-back, who moves well for her height, comes from a winning pedigree and could immediately improve the Purdue backline as they attempt to return to the levels of the 2021 season.

Kennedy Bell, Maryland (#39 Ranked TDS Class of 2023)

As one of the best defenders in the ECNL, Bell joins a Maryland team looking to make immediate improvements. Choosing a player from a 14-player freshman class is no easy task, but Bell comes in with the background and athleticism needed to compete in the BIG Ten from day one.

Lillian Danner, Ohio State (#59 Ranked TDS Class of 2023)

The 2021 GA National Champion joins Ohio State as the second-highest-ranked recruit from the state. As another talented forward joining a team that creates plenty of chances at their best, Danner adds impressive depth and will receive an opportunity to make a difference.

Hailey Baumann, Wisconsin (#64 Ranked TDS Class of 2023)

The crowning jewel in a highly ranked recruiting class, Baumann joins as a tall, physical, and athletic center-back to fit the mold of what works best in the BIG Ten. Wisconsin will push for a conference title, and Baumann has the makings of a talent who will significantly impact those chances.

Top Players to Watch:

Emma Jaskaniec, Wisconsin

Despite professional opportunities, Jaskaniec returns for a fifth year having improved her offensive contributions each season from three as a freshman to 14 last fall. As one of the most experienced and valued attackers in the region, the Wisconsin native will look to lead a championship charge.

Rebecca Cooke, Penn State

Objectively, Cooke was the best goal scorer in college soccer last season, leading the nation with 22 in 19 games at Quinnipiac. And for those concerned the BIG 10 will be too great of a transition, look no further than Cooke scoring against Penn State when the two met in the first round of the 2022 NCAA Tournament. Goal scorers of this standard are a supreme rarity, and Cooke will take the conference by storm.

Justina Gaynor, Michigan State

As someone professional scouts are salivating over, Gaynor could be embarking on her final season of college soccer. There is no better way to go out than with a deep NCAA tournament run, something Michigan State and their midfield leader will have in the back of their minds as they take the season one game at a time.

Josephine Aulicino, Northwestern

A two-time All-Big 10 Third Team selection, Aulicino had her best season yet with nine goals and ten assists in the fall. With increased outputs in each season of her collegiate career, Aulicino could have a season that cements her NWSL draft stock and guides Northwestern to another deep tournament run.

Emily Mason, Rutgers

As one of few players on the roster to have started on the record 2021 Rutgers season, Mason has experienced what standards are when the program is operating at its best. The junior enters this season as a member of the U20 National Team and a player firmly among the best defenders in the entire country.