Nine teams battle for Big 12 supremacy once again, but not the same nine teams as Texas A&M and Missouri are gone to the SEC, and TCU and West Virginia come in.

Oklahoma State coach Colin Carmichael says the quality of coaching in the league makes it one of the more difficult titles to win in college soccer.

“You just look at the coaches in our league now and it’s unbelievable the quality they have,” Carmichael said. “These guys really know the game and that’s made the soccer a lot better.”

He added that while his program had risen in recent years to challenge Texas A&M for flagship status in the conference, West Virginia would be an immediate contender for top honors and other programs would continue to build toward that.

Brief Bio: Big 12 Conference

2011 League Champions: Oklahoma State
2011 Tourney Champions: Texas A&M
Offensive Player of the Year: Kelley Monogue, Texas A&M
Defensive Player of the Year: Melinda Mercado, Oklahoma State
Rookie of the Year: Kelley Monogue, Texas A&M
Coach of the Year: Colin Carmichael, Oklahoma State

Teams (Overall/Conference record)

Oklahoma State (22-2-2/6-0-2)

The Cowgirls are the poster program for the way more programs have improved to the point where they can challenge the top few programs in the country as national championship contenders. Instead of just four or five schools being of that caliber, there are now at least 10.

Carmichael said this has changed for a number of reasons.

“A few things stand out. One is that the talent pool seems to have gotten bigger,” he said. “That’s a credit to the youth clubs for developing, not necessarily better players as there have always been elite players, but more, very good players. The talent pool seems to have gotten bigger.

“Those players are not just going to a few programs but they are spreading out their choices to 10 or 20 programs, so there is more talent at more places.. The second thing is that more schools are putting resources into their budget for better facilities and coaching and this is improving the state of college soccer. When we recruit we can show them the school and the facility and Nike sponsorships and those things. That has a lot to do with it.

“The last thing is, there is better coaching. There are more quality coaches gravitating toward the women’s side of the game in the past 10 years.”

Like every other top program, OSU has to replace some key players who have departed. Krista Lopez was a dynamic playmaker and Melinda Mercado was the conference defender of the year in 2011. Other starters have also finished their eligibility, but Carmichael is looking forward.

“There’s no doubt it’s a challenge to fit in all the pieces with a lot of good players gone, but we like to focus on what we have back. Adrianna Franch is maybe the best goalkeeper in the country. Carson Michalowski is a top defender and Miriam Rhinehart is another key player. We’re returning a nice pool of players so we hope we can continue with our success. It might be more of a challenge with our youth, but we have the same expectations.”

Baylor (15-4-2/5-2-1)

Marci Jobson and her staff have built the Bears into a perennial Big 12 contender. The team personifies grit and industry, but they’ve also gotten pretty good at converting that into balls that find the back of the opposition net.

Midfielder Lisa Sliwinski is back for her senior season, and the understanding she has built with classmates Dana Larsen and Hanna Gilmore is a vital part of the Baylor attack. Forwards Natalie Huggins and Vic Hoffman also showed a lot of promise in the offensive end last season.

The team loses starting goalkeeper Courtney Seelhorst, plus key starters Staz Salinas and Bethany Johnston, but Selby Polley, Carlie Davis and Kat Ludlow return to the defensive line

Texas Tech (10-8-2/3-4-1)

Tom Stone’s Red Raiders have to deal with the departure of Taylor Lytle in midfield, among others. Leading goalscorer Jessica Fuston is back, as are midfielders Jessica Disabella, Taylor  Narvaiz and Tiffini Smith.

In the back, all Big 12 Newcomer Team unanimous selection Jaelene Hinkle returns along with Bridgett Jenkins and goalkeeper Victoria Esson.

Texas (11-9-1/3-4-1)

Angela Kelley takes the helm at Texas and this year’s team figures to feature a blend of experience and youth.

Hannah Higgins is the leading returning scorer and will be joined up front by some new faces. Kristin Cummins is back in midfield along with Brooke Gilbert. A number of other starters from last year have either graduated or left the program.

Kelley told the UT web site recently that several freshmen could be starters for the team in any given match.

Kansas (11-9-1/3-5-0)

The Jayhawks of Mark Francis return 10 starters from 2011, including leading scorer and top-drawer midfielder Whitney Berry.

Also returning in Lawrence are forwards Jamie Fletcher, Caroline Kastor and Colombia Olympic Team player Ingrid Vidal who scored 11 goals for the Jayhawks.

Vidal’s Colombia teammate Liana Salazar is back in midfield, where she will be joined by Berry and Amy Grow. Defenders returning include Shelby Williamson, Shannon Renner and Madi Hillis. Goalkeeper Kaitlyn Stroud is also back.

2010 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year Cassie Dickerson transfers in from Ohio State for her final season.

Oklahoma (7-13-0/2-6-0)

Matt Potter is the new man in charge in Norman.

Leading scorers Caitlin Mooney and Amy Petrikin are back, as are defender Samantha Howell, Katharine Nutman and goalkeeper Kelsey Devonshire.

Asked by the OU web site what players had stood out over the spring season, Potter responded with the following:

“I think from day one, we’ve been aware of who some key players could be. In particular, Kat Nutman, Zoe Dickson and Annalisa Hall, for me, really embraced what we have tried to put in place. As a result, they have made great strides personally. Those three, for me, spring to mind when I hear that question initially, but really, I’ve been pleased with the attitude and development of the whole group.”

Iowa State (9-9-1/2-6-0)

Wendy Dillinger’s Cyclones only surrendered 25 goals in 2011, but only scored 22.

Leading returnees include Brittany Morgan, Emily Goldstein, Jennifer Dominguez, Meredith Skitt and Lindsay Frank.

TCU  7-11-1/1-5-0*)

Longtime Florida State assistant Eric Bell takes over at TCU just as the program enters Big 12 play. Bell immediately began to make noise with his recruiting, something he did quite well at in Tallahassee.

Some major squad rebuilding will need to take place. Some of the top returnees include  Monica Alvarado, Becca Rowland and Ashley Jones.

West Virginia (17-5-0/10-1-0**)

Nikki Izzo-Brown’s Mountaineers have excelled in the Big East, and now enter the Big 12 needing to replace some program mainstays.

“Replacing players like a Blake Miller who are obviously productive offensively and a huge loss, or defenders like Drea Barklage or Meghan Lewis or Erica Henderson, obviously that type of experience and that many years of experience is hard to replace,” she said. “But I think given the leaders they were, they did a lot of coaching on their way out to help make sure the next crop was ready.

“At the end of the day, everybody has to pass the torch and everyone has to take on more responsibility in being a bit more accountable as their role changes due to any kind of situation.,” Izzo-Brown continued. “I’m pleased with how the upperclassmen as well as the younger and freshmen players have stepped up to that challenge.”

One players who will be looked upon for a good bit of that leadership responsibility is attacking midfielder Brianne Rodriguez. The mercurial and skilled slasher is coming off an ACL injury in last season’s NCAA Tournament, but appears ready to go at the start of the season.

“Bri is somebody we all have a lot of confidence in,” Izzo-Brown said. “I believe she can do a lot for the team on the field and off the field. She’s someone who leads by example. Bry McCarthy, our left back, is similar. She has a lot of international experience and as a senior will have to step up. Mallory Smith is another player returning and there are others who will be important.”

Also back for the Mountaineers are Frances Silva at forward and Sara Keane at goalkeeper.

 * - In Mountain West Conference

** - In Big East Conference