American Athletic Conference

2013 AAC Tournament Champions: UCF
Offensive Player of the Year: Christine Exeter, Louisville
Midfielder of the Year: Charlyn Corral, Louisville
Defensive Player of the Year: Marissa Diggs, UCF
Goalkeeper of the Year: Cami Koski, Houston
Rookie of the Year: Lena Petermann, UCF
Coach of the Year: Tiffany Roberts Sahaydak, UCF

Teams (overall/conference record)

UCF (16-3-4/8-0-1)

Among the players to win a major award in the American Athletic Conference last season, UCF forward Lena Petermann is the only one returning this fall. The 2013 conference rookie of the year is the star of the UCF squad, but she is going to be a little late this season due to her spot on the Germany U20 Women’s National Team. Petermann scored the game-winning goal against the U.S. last week, which certainly isn’t going to hurt her stock in the college game. UCF is not a one-player show though. Fellow all-conference honorees Tatiana Coleman, Jennifer Martin, Kayla Adamek, and Caroline Bado are all back with the Knights. UCF also picked up the transfer of Ashley Spivey from Maryland. The Knights were the class of the conference last fall and look equally as strong heading into this campaign.

Connecticut (11-9/5-4)

The Connecticut Huskies have two very good pieces to build around for the long-term future of the program in Rachel Hill and Stephanie Ribeiro. Hill, a member of the U.S. U20 Women’s National Team, scored 13 goals in her first collegiate campaign. If the Huskies are going to challenge for the top spot in the conference, she will need to be just as sharp this fall. Ribeiro was a sophomore sensation next to Hill with six goals and four assists in 20 appearances. Connecticut also returns All-Rookie Team goalkeeper Emily Armstrong, which should help anchor a relatively inexperienced squad this fall.

South Florida (10-4-6/4-3-2)

South Florida head coach Denise Schilte-Brown seems excited about this group of players. The Bulls are relying on the influx of a strong recruiting class to help push the returners and take South Florida back to the tournament after missing it these past two seasons. The big question for South Florida is in goal after starting goalkeeper Christiane Endler unexpectedly signed a professional deal with Chelsea in the offseason.

Cincinnati (8-11-1/4-4-1)

Outside of a draw against UCF, all of Cincinnati’s league games were decided by a one-goal difference. That is the difference between a banner year and a .500 record. The Bearcats did not stand by idly during the offseason. A 13-player recruiting class highlights the effort to charge up the AAC standings in 2014. All-rookie team members Katy Couperus and Natalie Smith are also back in black and red. 

Memphis (13-7-1/4-5)

The Tigers return 10 starters from last year’s squad, which has the coaching staff dreaming big. “We have set high expectations for this season," Memphis head coach Brooks Monaghand said in a release. "Obviously, the goal is to win every game, but we want to get back to the NCAA Tournament.” Easier said than done. Memphis will start the preseason without Kylie Davis and Valerie Sanderson, who are playing with Canada at the U20 World Cup.

SMU (3-5-1/9-9-1)

Similar to the Tigers, the Mustangs bring back the majority of their starters from last year’s team, but the coaching staff is counting on the squad developing in order to contend in the conference. “We will be faster, more athletic, more physical, and hopefully that leads to more wins,” SMU head coach Chris Petrucelli said in a release. Taylor Barg is the expected leader of the squad after recording six assists and scoring four goals as a freshman last season.

Temple (6-12-1/1-8)

The good news for Temple is that the program improved during its first season under Seamus O’Connor. The bad news is the program needs to make a huge improvement to challenge in the AAC. Alyssa Kirk may be a little lonely this fall as the only senior on the squad as Temple continues to progress through a youth movement.

Houston (1-12-3/0-9)

There were 327 programs in Division I women’s soccer in 2013. In terms of RPI, Houston finished No. 251. Head coach Chris Pfau is in his third year with the Cougars, which means any type of roster turnaround needs to be complete soon. The 10 seniors from last year’s squad are gone and it opens the door for the large freshman class to challenge for playing time immediately.

East Carolina (9-9-3/3-4-2)*

The Pirates enter 2014 riding a growing wave. East Carolina has won at least nine games in eight start seasons. Keeping that streak alive in a new conference will be tricky. An eight-player senior class headlines the veteran laden squad.

Tulsa (11-6-4/5-3-2)*

Tulsa lost eight seniors, and replaced them with eight freshmen for 2014. Last season was a solid campaign for Tulsa, but replacing six starters and battling in a new conference is a difficult proposition.

* members of Conference USA in 2013