Women's WCC Breakout Candidates for 2023

by Victor Olorunfemi

May 24, 2023

The WCC will be without BYU going forward, leaving a hole for someone to step up as the next dominant team in the conference. That also means there is an opportunity for the conference’s next stars to show their worth in the fall. Here is a player from each WCC team that could break out into the next star.

Alex Carpio, San Francisco

Take a look at Carpio’s first-ever collegiate goal below. Not a bad way to open your account, is it? That was all the coaching staff needed to see as Carpio went on to start for most of the remainder of the season. There were growing pains for the attack-minded midfielder, but that is in the natural process of developing into a star. Year two will come with more consistency which bodes well for Carpio’s playing time and potential.

🚨First career goal alert!🚨

Congratulations to Alex Carpio on the milestone that gives the Dons the lead! 💪

1-0 USF#USFDons | #WCCSports pic.twitter.com/PSxJc5pwMt
— USF Women's Soccer (@USFDonsWSoccer) September 2, 2022

Grace Courter, Gonzaga

Fearless is a great way to describe Courter’s playing style, as the defender does not shy away from making her presence felt. It’s part of why she played nearly a thousand more minutes last season than she did as a freshman. With that kind of exposure in her arsenal, Courter will return a seasoned veteran ready to lead the Gonzaga back line.

⚽️ Goal by Grace Courter pic.twitter.com/WdQSYIOlFi
— Gonzaga Women’s Soccer (@zagwsoccer) October 2, 2022

Katana Norman, Portland

The transition to college soccer was smooth for the So Cal Blues graduate as she started sixteen of eighteen games for one of the best defenses in the conference. And if that’s the impact she had in her debut season, there’s no telling where Norman could be as a sophomore.

Alice Santen, Loyola Marymount

The transfer freshman from Memphis did not step off the field for Loyola Marymount last season, playing every minute of seventeen games. Her technical and physical prowess makes her a standout player every time she takes the pitch. The Swedish center-back will build on that experience in the fall as one of the best defenders in the WCC.

Bella Piete, San Diego

An unfortunate injury kept Piete out for most of the fall, but when she played, she showed flashes of an elite chance creator and finisher in the final third. Players like that are a dime a dozen, making her a potential star for San Diego next season. Piete will hope for better luck with injury and should shine.

45' | TOREROS GOAL! A slick passing play from Talei Moodie and Bella Piete sets up Leila Kahoano to cut the deficit to 2-1!#GoToreros pic.twitter.com/zUXobWgmy2
— San Diego Women's Soccer (@USDwsoccer) October 20, 2022

Tessa Salvestrin, Saint Mary’s

The rare player with an elite combination of size, athleticism, and technique, Salvestrin was a revelation for Saint Mary’s last season from day one, scoring the team’s first goal of the fall. But while Salvestrin certainly had a great season with 12 total points, there were moments where she left some on the table in the final third. If the Justin Siena High School graduate adds to what she did last season, she could quickly become one of the most feared players in the conference.

29:34 1st | Gaels 1, Cal Poly 0

THE FIRST GOAL OF THE YEAR IS SCORED BY A FRESHMAN!!!

Off the post and in for Tessa Salvestrin to put us in the first half!#GaelsRise pic.twitter.com/ZhOrZ8CkCY
— Saint Mary's Women's Soccer (@SMC_WSoccer) August 18, 2022

Anaya Shelton, Pacific

There is more to Shelton’s game than her elite athleticism, but it has to be mentioned as it rounds out what she brings to the table as a goal-hungry forward. The California native had her moments last season with three goals and two assists but will know she has more to offer as her collegiate career gains momentum.

Farrah Walters, Santa Clara

Injuries kept Walters out of a few games last season, but when she played, she was excellent, summed up by a hattrick against Oregon just six games into the freshman’s career. With more experience and better luck with injury, we could be looking at one of the top attackers in the WCC next season.

Tatum Wynalda, Pepperdine

The definition of making the most of every minute, Wynalda scored as many goals (8) as she had starts. A few of her best performances were a well-placed finish against LSU in August and two world-class goals in a seven-goal thriller versus BYU. All that to say, Wynalda is an expert in the art of goal scoring, which bodes well for her future as a potential college soccer star.