The TDS College Soccer preview continues with a glance into the West Coast, Big 12 and Big East women’s soccer conferences.

West Coast Conference Preview

With the exit of BYU to the Big 12, the WCC loses one of its storied programs in a team that routinely makes deep NCAA runs. While that may be a loss for the overall quality, WCC teams will view it as an opportunity to rise to the top and become the next dominant program. Santa Clara will like its chances to repeat as conference champions with Freshman of the Year Annie Karich returning and the 13th-ranked recruiting class, while Portland and Gonzaga will look to provide a challenge.

*BYU leaves for the Big 12.

Top Freshmen to Watch:

Ava Verplancke, Pepperdine (#37 Ranked TDS Class of 2023)

Addie Whitehouse, Santa Clara (#47 Ranked TDS Class of 2023)

Kamryn Simpson, San Diego (#131 Ranked TDS Class of 2023)

Olivia Lester, Gonzaga (#181 Ranked TDS Class of 2023)

Tinna Magnusdottir, San Francisco (Iceland U18)

Top Players to Watch:

Annie Karich, Santa Clara

Tatum Wynalda, Pepperdine

Bre Norris, Portland

Marissa Vasquez, San Francisco

Tessa Salvestrin, Saint Mary’s

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Big 12 Preview

Be on the lookout for a conference that could soon overtake as top three in college soccer. Adding a bona fide national powerhouse in BYU cannot be understated, as is the decision some schools are making to strengthen in anticipation of where the conference is heading. Oklahoma is one example as they hire proven SEC coach Matt Mott to help turn the program around. And with Texas winning the regular season before West Virginia took home the conference tournament championship, there is plenty of quality returning as TCU, Texas, and BYU will battle it out at the top of the table. The edge may have to go to Texas as the impressive attacking duo of Trinity Byars and Lexi Missimo bring their record-breaking partnership back for another season.

*BYU, Cincinnati, Houston, and UCF join the conference.

Top Freshmen to Watch:

Gabrielle Ceballos, TCU (#32 Ranked TDS Class of 2023)

Lauren Woodruff, Texas Tech (#42 Ranked TDS Class of 2023)

Avery Clark, Texas (#44 Ranked TDS Class of 2023)

Aryanna Jimison, Houston (#57 Ranked TDS Class of 2023)

Laudan Wilson (#74 Ranked TDS Class of 2023)

Players to Watch:

Trinity Byars, Texas

Brecken Mozingo, BYU

Grace Brian, TCU

Alexis Washington, Oklahoma

Kayza Massey, West Virginia

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Big East Preview

The Big East can be hit and miss in terms of elite teams, and the last two seasons displayed that. In 2021 they had five teams make the NCAA tournament, but last season it was only two as multiple teams took a step backward. What is consistent is Georgetown will be somewhere near the top, displayed by their regular season and conference tournament championships last season.

Top Freshmen to Watch:

Anja Jestrovic, Creighton (Serbia U19)

Lydia LeBlanc, Connecticut (#73 Ranked TDS Class of 2023)

Kennedy Clark, Xavier (#101 Ranked TDS Class of 2023)

Isabel Boodell, Georgetown (#105 Ranked TDS Class of 2023)

Daniela Monzon, St. John’s (#145 Ranked TDS Class of 2023)

Top Players to Watch:

Julia Leas, Georgetown

Abigail Isger, Butler

Chioma Okafor, Connecticut

Lara Kazandjian, Creighton

Meg Hughes, Providence