Top 100 Freshmen in Women’s College Soccer Postseason Rankings

ByCoach

The 2023 college soccer season has been nothing short of spectacular. Freshmen players made significant impacts on their respective teams. TopDrawerSoccer recently released their postseason rankings, highlighting the top 100 freshmen who have defined the season.

Leading the pack is Izzy Engle from Notre Dame. Engle had an exceptional performance that set a new benchmark. This blog post will delve into the top five freshmen who have made their mark this season, showcasing their incredible talents and contributions to their teams.

Izzy Engle: A Historic Campaign

Izzy Engle of Notre Dame tops the list with a season that will be remembered for years to come. Engle’s 19 goals not only secured her second place in the nation but also marked the highest number of goals scored by a freshman in a decade. Her unique combination of speed, technique, and finishing skills made her an unstoppable force on the field.

Whether playing as a wing-back or a striker, Engle’s versatility and prowess were evident throughout the season.

Key Highlights:

  • 19 goals, second in the nation
  • Most goals scored by a freshman in a decade
  • Versatile player: wing-back and striker positions

Trinity Armstrong: Defensive Powerhouse

Trinity Armstrong from North Carolina showcased her dominance as a center back for the national champions. Armstrong’s impact was so significant that the team’s record was 19-2 in games she played, compared to 3-3 in the six matches she missed due to the U17 World Cup. Her confidence on the ball and measured tackling made her one of the best defensive freshmen in college soccer history.

Key Highlights:

  • Team record: 19-2 with Armstrong, 3-3 without
  • Exceptional ball control and tackling
  • Key player for national champions

Keegan Smith: Goalkeeping Sensation

Arkansas’ Keegan Smith stepped up as a freshman starter with College Cup aspirations. Smith’s impressive campaign included 11 shutouts and an 84% save percentage, ranking her in the top 25 nationally for both categories. Her performance was crucial in leading the Razorbacks to the Sweet Sixteen, where they were eventually knocked out in a penalty shootout.

Smith proved herself to be one of the best goalkeepers in the country, regardless of class.

Key Highlights:

  • 11 shutouts
  • 84% save percentage
  • Top 25 nationally in both categories

Amalia Villarreal: Offensive Dynamo

Texas’ Amalia Villarreal made significant contributions to her team, especially in the absence of the legendary Trinity Byars. Villarreal’s nine goals and eight assists were instrumental in leading the Longhorns to the SEC tournament title. Her ability to both finish and set up plays demonstrated her maturity and skill beyond her years.

Key Highlights:

  • 9 goals and 8 assists
  • Led team to SEC tournament title
  • Stepped up in the absence of a key player

Ginny Lackey: British Striker Extraordinaire

Despite missing the first five games of the season, James Madison’s Ginny Lackey made a significant impact with 12 goals and 10 assists in just 16 matches. Her form was so impressive that she might have claimed the top spot if she had played the entire season. Lackey quickly established herself as one of the best strikers in college soccer.

Key Highlights:

  • 12 goals and 10 assists in 16 matches
  • Missed the first five games of the season
  • One of the best strikers in college soccer

Conclusion

The 2023 college soccer season has been a showcase of exceptional talent, especially among freshmen.

Players like Izzy Engle, Trinity Armstrong, Keegan Smith, Amalia Villarreal, and Ginny Lackey have not only made significant contributions to their teams but have also set new benchmarks for future freshmen.

Their performances have been nothing short of extraordinary, and they are sure to be names to watch in the coming years.

For a detailed look at the top 100 freshmen who have defined this season, visit the TopDrawerSoccer postseason freshmen rankings.

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