By OkayGoal
The NCAA Women’s Soccer season is back, and there is a ton of great talent spread out across the country. Not only are these players on the Hermann Trophy watchlist, but they also have a strong chance to play in either the NWSL or Gainbridge Super League when their college careers end. Here are 12 NCAA Stars to be on the lookout for this season.
Izzy Engle- Notre Dame, Forward, Junior
We have to start off with Izzy Engle, who wholeheartedly deserves the title of best college striker in America. After an outstanding freshman season where she scored 19 goals, expectations were high last year. All Engle did was show she’s the most prolific scorer in the country in the most dominant conference in the country. Engle scored 19 goals again last year; she’s a two-time ACC First-Team player and is likely to do it again this year, especially if she reaches 20 goals this season. Engle has yet to play this season and could be dealing with an injury. If she returns, she’s arguably the best player in the country.
Mia Minestrella- Duke, Forward, Senior
Mia Minestrella was a First-Team ACC player along with Izzy Engle last season and is also one of the best strikers in the nation. The senior has racked up 30 goals over the last two seasons and has already scored three this season. Duke’s offense is going to run through her this season, and after making the College Cup last year, Minestrella and the Blue Devils will be eager to break through and win the national championship this year.
Ellie Walbruch- BYU, Forward, Senior
The UCLA transfer has made a name for herself in Provo with two great seasons for the Cougars back-to-back. After netting 11 goals her sophomore season, she scored 16 as a junior with BYU, one of the best teams in the country. Expect Walbruch to get even closer to the 20-goal mark this year as she’s going to be leading by example up front. After a tough loss to Wisconsin recently, expect Walbruch and the Cougars to have a much better time when they enter Big 12 play.
Kamdyn Fuller- TCU, Midfielder, Sophomore
You might see the last name Fuller and wonder, is there any relation to Bay FC’s Kennedy Fuller? There is; Kamdyn is Kennedy’s younger sister, and she has already made an impact at TCU. Fuller won Big 12 Freshman of the Year last season, with 4 goals and 5 assists tallied. This year she already has a goal and an assist through three games and is sure to add to that tally. TCU won the regular season Big 12 last year, and Fuller is sure to be a key cog in this team that is looking to repeat.
Samantha Erbach- Florida State, Midfielder, Junior
Samantha Erbach won Big East Midfielder of the Year and was a First-Team Big East at Xavier last season. The midfielder took a step up in competition, transferring to Florida State in the ACC. Erbach’s resume at Xavier is impressive, with 18 goals and 16 assists last year. That’s as productive as it gets within a single college season. Erbach is a tremendous talent who could raise her level even further by joining the Seminoles. With a goal and two assists already, she’s showing this was the right move to Tallahassee.
Ai Kitagawa- Memphis, Midfielder, Junior
Ai Kitagawa just keeps getting better and better at the University of Memphis. After winning 2024 Freshman of the Year in the AAC, she followed it up by becoming the best midfielder in the conference in 2025, winning Best Midfielder honors. With 15 goals and 9 assists over the last two seasons, and two goals and an assist already this season, Kitagawa will once again be among the nation’s best.
Victoria Safradin- Virginia, Goalkeeper, Senior
Virginia is always among the best teams in the country, and this year they have one of the best goalkeepers. Victoria Safradin has had two strong seasons in the ACC and is set to have her best one yet for the Cavaliers. Safradin made 75 saves with 11 shutouts last year. With Safradin in net, Virginia is sure to surpass their current ranking of No. 13 at some point this season.
Valentina Amaral- Wake Forest, Goalkeeper, RS Junior
Valentina Amaral had an incredible year with 81 saves for Wake Forest, earning her Third-Team All-American honors. Amaral is leading a top-ranked Demon Deacons side that has experienced a major resurgence as a program in the last few years. Plus, Amaral is already off to an incredible start this year. Through three games, she’s yet to allow a goal with 14 saves against elite competition in LSU, South Carolina and Iowa. If Amaral can keep this up, she’s the favorite to be the best goalie in the country this year.
Azul Alvarez- Baylor, Goalkeeper, Senior
The TCU transfer has made a name for herself at Baylor over the last two seasons. Alvarez has made a combined 198 saves over two seasons. She’s been kept busy and has posted a save rate of 83.1%. Those numbers are eye-popping for any goalkeeper to have, and Alvarez was named First-Team Big 12 as a result. Now, the Bears have already gotten off to a great start this season, and with Alvarez in net, they could be a top 25 team for the entirety of this season.
Featured image via @wakewsoccer