Positional Top Fives

GK

1. Jane Campbell – Stanford

2. Kailen Sheridan – Clemson

3. Ashton McKeown – Long Beach State

4. Rachel Boaz – BYU

5. Diana Poulin – Saint John’s (NY)

DEF

1. Kadeisha Buchanan – West Virginia

2. Kayla Mills – USC

3. Maddie Bauer – Stanford

4. Rebecca Quinn – Duke

5. Christina Gibbons – Duke

MF

1. Rose Lavelle – Wisconsin

2. Morgan Andrews – USC

3. Alexis Shaffer – Virginia

4. Ashley Lawrence – West Virginia

5. Nickolette Driesse – Penn State

FW

1. Savannah Jordan – Florida

2. Rachel Hill – UConn

3. McKenzie Meehan – Boston College

4. Murielle Tiernan – Virginia Tech

5. Toni Payne – Duke

Overall Top 100

1. Kadeisha Buchanan – D (CB) – West Virginia

If there’s a can’t miss prospect in this loaded draft class, it feels like that’s Buchanan, who has already proven her bonafides at the highest level of play, most notably at the Women’s World Cup last Summer for Canada. Buchanan has already shown the potential to be one of her nation’s best ever and is already the rock at the heart of the defense despite still being just twenty years old. Big things had already been predicted for Buchanan upon her arrival at West Virginia before the 2013 season, and she more than lived up to those expectations, being named the Big 12 Defender of the Year and a second team All-American as a rookie. It’s been onward and upward ever since then for the Canadian, who has added two more Big 12 Defensive POTY awards and two more All-America nods. About the only thing missing from the shelf at an individual level for Buchanan is the Hermann Trophy, though that may be a bit harder to come by. You could make an argument that Buchanan is one of the finest defenders at collegiate level of the past decade, and she’s showed that form at international level as well, being named 2015 Women’s World Cup Best Young Player. Buchanan’s not a giant at center-back, but she is strong as an ox and quick as well, traits she’s displayed at all levels thus far. Some may wonder if Buchanan’s aggression may need to be tamped down a bit at professional level, but it’s probably not going to scare any suitors off come January’s draft. Center-backs aren’t popular picks at #1 at pro level, but if someone out there needs help on the backline, they’d be foolish to overlook Buchanan given her impressive body of work thus far.

2. Rose Lavelle – MF (AMC) – Wisconsin

On the precipice of a breakthrough at senior international level, Lavelle looks to be a dead certainty to be one of the top two picks in January’s draft, and could end up going #1 overall depending on team need. While Lavelle was a highly touted player coming into Wisconsin, few probably envisioned her rising to this level after four seasons in the college ranks. But Lavelle was an instant star for the Badgers, winning Big Ten Freshman of the Year honors and raking in awards by the bucketful since at an individual level, including a pair of All-America honors her past two seasons in Madison. Some might argue that Lavelle’s high volume shooting can be problematic at times, but given the dearth of weapons around Lavelle at times, it’s a lot more understandable. That was largely the case last year, when Lavelle notched a career high in goals with seven and a career low in assists with three as her teammates collectively couldn’t hit water if they fell out of a boat. Lavelle impresses just as much with her ability to keep the game simple with short passes as she does with her runs with the ball from midfield. It’s those runs with the ball at warp speed that captivate the eye and make the quick footed Lavelle such a threat to opposing defenses. It’s highly unlikely that a player of even Lavelle’s calibre will be able to carry the likes of Wisconsin to the College Cup this season, but she’ll still likely be a joy to watch as she tries her hardest to defy those odds. But most are probably starving for the opportunity to see Lavelle in an offense with superior players to see what the midfield schemer can really do.

3. Savannah Jordan – F (CF) – Florida

The active scoring leader in DI going into 2016 has been an unholy terror with the ball at her feet for three seasons for the Gators. Jordan made the best first impression possible as a freshman, scoring twenty-two goals for Florida, one of the best hauls in history at this level for a rookie. It’s been a steady deluge of goals ever since for Jordan, who topped nineteen goals as a sophomore with last season’s twenty-four goals and seven assists. On an analytics basis, Jordan’s numbers last season were astonishing, with the Florida forward needing just 4.96 shots per goal and putting over 55% of those shots on target. Eleven goals against RPI Top 50 teams and fourteen against RPI Top 100 teams were both #1 in the nation. While Jordan’s not lightning quick, she has enough of a burst and accompanying strength to separate from most opposing defenders. And if Jordan gets a sight of goal within eighteen yards, it’s almost assured that she’s going to be celebrating a goal. If the team that drafts her doesn’t try to get cute and do something daft like put her out on the wing, Jordan is going to be a dangerous scoring presence at the next level for years to come.

4. Rachel Hill – F (CF) – UConn

With UConn no longer being a giant in the sport, there’s perhaps a sense that Hill is being overlooked going into the final season of an otherwise glittering collegiate career. A salve for an offense that had been struggling for a true star for years, Hill has been one of the nation’s most lethal strikers for three seasons now and should continue to obliterate defenses as a senior in 2016. Hill announced her presence on the national scene with thirteen goals as a rookie, using that season as a springboard to making the U.S. U20 team at the 2014 U20 World Cup. That didn’t exactly work out that well, but Hill brutalized collegiate defenses for sixteen goals upon her return. She hit that total once more as a junior, though her shots per goal mark was a little bit worse, having needed eighty-eight shots for that return. Hill put 60.2% of her shots on frame though, a staggering number, even for a player of her calibre. Hill’s eleven goals against RPI Top 100 teams is second best in this class, with the forward having also netted six against RPI Top 50 teams in 2015. The Huskies could be a dark horse to get to Cary and the College Cup considering their firepower this season, and Hill could find herself as a Hermann Trophy contender if they get there. Regardless, Hill is one of this class’ elite players and should be gone by the end of the first round.

5. Kayla Mills – D (RB, LB) – USC

I’d make an argument that Mills might be the best full-back prospect to come out of the college ranks in the NWSL era. The Trojan defender was recruited as an attacker before being converted to a full-back and has taken to the role exceedingly well, winning second team All-America honors as well as Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year honors, a big accomplishment considering the level of defensive talent in the league. Mills more than earned it, terrorizing teams from her right-back position as she tied for the team lead with six assists while also scoring twice. Mills wasn’t afraid to let fly, shooting forty-eight times on the year, though it’s safe to say she won’t be that involved in front of goal as a professional if she stays at full-back. Considering Mills scored four times and had seven assists in a more offensive role as a rookie, a pro role at wide defender isn’t set in stone, though given her effectiveness at right-back for USC, it’s hard to see why she should move back into the attack unless it’s in a super sub role. Mills’ thunderous forays up the flank have been commonplace in L.A. the past few seasons and should have her on the radar for the USWNT sooner rather than later. As a senior on one of the nation’s best defenses this upcoming season, Mills could lock in a spot in the first round of the 2017 draft with a big campaign.



6. Maddie Bauer – D (CB) – Stanford

The immovable rock at the heart of the Stanford back four, it almost feels like Bauer’s never really gotten her due at collegiate level despite being a consistently excellent center-back for a defense that is perennially among the nation’s elite. Bauer came into Palo Alto with a glittering resume at youth club and international level, a former captain of the U.S. U17 team. It took a while for Bauer to get back into the youth international picture after playing on the U.S. U20 team for qualifying for the 2014 U20 World Cup, with the center-back only getting back into the U23 frame this past offseason. At collegiate level, Bauer stepped right into a starting role as a freshman and has been an elite level center-back ever since, though she’s yet to be dubbed an All-American or even an All-Pac 12 first teamer yet despite picking up first team All-Region nods as a rookie and last year. Stanford’s set to make a big push for a second national title in 2016, and Bauer’s got an excellent partner in central defense in Alana Cook, meaning she could be a part of the nation’s best back four if it lives up to expectations. Even in a class full of potentially fantastic center-backs, Bauer looks like one of the creme de la creme, and a side looking for help in the heart of defense would be foolish to let her slip out of the first round come January.

7. Rebecca Quinn – D (CB), MF (CM) – Duke

Canadian international is almost assured of being one of a handful of rookies from her country to get allocated in the offseason before 2017 kicks off. A budding star at youth international level before even stepping foot onto campus at Durham, Quinn has now been a lock for the Canadian WNT and will feature for her home nation at the Rio Olympics in August. As you might expect, Quinn’s been a rock in Duke’s defense for three seasons now, having also seen time in midfield for the Blue Devils when needed, mostly during her sophomore season. It’s actually taken a while for Quinn to get her due, with this past season’s All-Region third team honor the first for her during her collegiate career, but there can be no doubting of Quinn’s importance to a Duke defense that finished up 2015 as one of the nation’s best. Quinn’s not going to light the world on fire on offense, but she has scored some goals against big clubs over the course of her collegiate career. Perhaps the biggest thing separating Quinn from a sure spot in the first round of January’s draft might be durability questions. The Canadian has missed multiple matches through injury in all three of her collegiate seasons thus far and has to prove she’s going to be able to stand up to the grind of the NWSL season if a club is going to spend an early pick on her. If she’s healthy though, Quinn looks like one of this class’ best central defenders by some margin.

8. Christina Gibbons – D (RB, LB), MF (CM, RM) – Duke

Duke’s Swiss army knife really began to rise to prominence in 2014 when she battled her way onto the U.S.’ U20 World Cup team and held her own at left-back for most of the tournament. It underlined Gibbons’ ability at youth international level after having impressed early on in her Blue Devils career, when she had started every match as a rookie while looking like one of the best young defenders in the country. Gibbons continued to grow as a sophomore despite battling injuries late and showcased her versatility in taking up a more offensive role for the Blue Devils as they searched for goals. But Gibbons only really took the leap to the next level for Duke last season, helping marshal one of the nation’s best defenses along with fellow 2017 draft prospect Rebecca Quinn. With Gibbons playing multiple roles for Duke over the course of the season, she excelled both defensively and going forward, netting three goals and five assists in an All-America season for Duke as they made a thrilling run to the College Cup final. Expectations are high going into 2016 for Duke, and if Gibbons can help deliver a national title to Durham, it’s within reason that she might be a first round selection in January’s draft. Her versatility in being able to play just about anywhere on the pitch should help her cause, though you have to figure she’ll find her best role at full-back, the role she filled at the U20 World Cup.

9. McKenzie Meehan – FW (CF), MF (AMC) – Boston College

If not for an accursed falling mirror, Meehan might already be shredding NWSL defenses, but said mirror did a number on her Achilles before the 2014 season, forcing a medical redshirt and pushing the dynamic attacker back into this draft class. It was a cruel blow for a player that looked to be on the brink of stardom for BC after scoring twenty goals as a sophomore in 2013 and looking like a player that could have made a real difference for the U.S. in 2014’s U20 World Cup. Fears about Meehan’s recovery from said injury in the short-term were allayed by another offensively brilliant season for the Eagles in 2015. Meehan clubbed opposing teams for seventeen goals, though that number as inflated quite a bit by penalties, with Meehan going five-for-five from the spot. That deflated Meehan’s shots per goal mark to mere passable levels, though she still managed 51.2% on her shots on goal percentage. Meehan hit for eight goals against RPI Top 100 teams and five against RPI Top 50 opponents as well, so she certainly knows how to find the target against strong DI opposition. There may be some fears that Meehan might be a system product of BC’s all-out attack style, especially with Stephanie McCaffrey’s NWSL struggles. But if Meehan knocks in another 18-20 goals as a senior, she’ll be hard to ignore in the first few rounds in January.

10. Morgan Andrews – MF (MC, AMC) – USC

You know Andrews’ story by this point. A prep phenom who was touted breathlessly as the next big thing, Andrews was already being tipped for glory with the USWNT by the time she stepped foot in South Bend for Notre Dame. The hype definitely seemed real in her freshman season with the Irish, as Andrews won ACC Freshman of the Year honors after a seven goal, five assist season for the national powerhouse. And then things went bad for Andrews, who failed to make the U.S. U20 team for the U20 World Cup in 2014 after lackluster appearances at youth international level. It started a tailspin which saw Andrews gradually fall out of favor in South Bend despite starting every match for the club and putting up solid stats, with her occupying a spot on the bench for UND in crunch time in the NCAA Tournament likely signaling the necessity for a divorce from the Irish. A transfer out west to USC followed, and an up and down season ended with All-America honors, likely on the back of a rather stunning late season run. Andrews scored both goals in the win over rival UCLA, netted a hat trick in the NCAA Tournament triumph over Cal State Fullerton, and added two more against Princeton. Andrews finished with twelve goals (three from the penalty spot), which is great on paper, but the late season surge obscured the fact that the ball often stopped with Andrews as evidenced by her taking a rather ridiculous ninety-six shots that looked gaudy before she caught fire late. Andrews’ draft stock largely depends on how well she can lead a team that looks like a College Cup contender on paper in 2016. I could easily see her go in the Top 5 with a big season, but I also think Andrews is more of a boom or bust prospect than some will want to admit.

11. Alexis Shaffer – MF (AMC) – Virginia

The occasional forgotten woman of the Virginia offense at one point, it’s safe to say everybody knows Shaffer’s name now after a breakout junior season for the goal happy Cavs. Shaffer had made an immediate impact as a rookie super sub for Virginia in 2013, chipping in with nine assists for the club, even though she only started one match for UVA that season. In the lineup consistently as a sophomore, Shaffer would more than double her goal total, netting seven times, though her assists would drop off a bit. Most likely expected Shaffer to keep improving in 2015 on a star-studded team, but few probably expected her to score fourteen times for the Cavs while also adding eight assists. Considering Shaffer isn’t a center forward, her efficiency numbers in terms of shots per goal, with twelve non-penalty goals on sixty-one shots, are tremendous. Ten of Shaffer’s goals came against RPI Top 100 teams, while she hit for seven against RPI Top 50 teams, tied for second most in this class. With Makenzy Doniak’s graduation, Shaffer is the leading returning scorer (and assister) for the 2016 Virginia side and will obviously be taking a lot of the burden in keeping the Cavs’ attack ticking over. The U.S. U23 international’s been improving rapidly over the course of her collegiate career though, and another season like 2015 could have Shaffer moving into the discussion of potential first round picks in January.

12. Murielle Tiernan – F (CF) – Virginia Tech

It’s hard to be under the radar if you’ve scored just short of forty goals in three seasons, but it still feels like Tiernan doesn’t get her due playing for unfashionable Virginia Tech. Tiernan’s already smashed most of the record book for the Hokies, leading the club in career goals and points with one season to go. Tiernan’s been remarkably consistent in the nation’s toughest conference, starting sixty-eight of seventy matches for VT and scoring at least eleven goals in all three of her collegiate seasons. The goals have come at a steady and efficient clip, with Tiernan needing just sixty-four shots to score fourteen times last year and placing 54.7% of her shots on frame, which were actually both slight decreases from her 2014 form. Just six of Tiernan’s goals came against RPI Top 100 teams, but five of those goals came against RPI Top 50 teams, so she can deliver against better competition. A big, bruising center forward leading the line, the biggest question about Tiernan’s draft stock might be how she copes consistently with the rigors of the pro game having to deal with the cystic fibrosis that she’s battled through successfully throughout her collegiate career. It certainly hasn’t stopped her thus far, and Tiernan could be a real attacking gem for a club in the first half of January’s draft.

13. Jane Campbell – GK – Stanford

Campbell’s seemingly been the Chosen One in goal for the longest time now, the preordained successor to Hope Solo’s mantle in goal for the USWNT, but to be honest, I’ve cooled on her a little bit. While there’s no question that Campbell is a superior goalkeeper when at her best, she hasn’t always been at her best with the Card. Campbell took over in goal when Emily Oliver was medically disqualified in 2013 and hasn’t looked back as Stanford’s #1, though she couldn’t unseat Katelyn Rowland for the role at the U20 World Cup in 2014 for the U.S. Campbell’s been consistently called up for the U.S. U23 team though and is clearly high in the pecking order of succession going forward, though she’s had multiple hiccups at club level. Campbell ticks every box you’d want for a goalkeeper at the next level: shot-stopping ability, presence, kicking game, etc. But there’s also the reality that Campbell has baffling lapses in concentration in matches that simply should not be happening to a top-tier upperclassman goalkeeper at this level. Odds are, Campbell matures with age and turns into an international calibre goalkeeper for the U.S. and a #1 for an NWSL team. But for the first time, I feel like a ceiling is in sight for Campbell, and I’m not quite sure she’s a can’t miss prospect any more.

14. Toni Payne – MF (AML), F (LF, CF) – Duke

U.S. U23 international had an NCAA Tournament run that should become the stuff of legend around Durham, helping deconstruct a near impregnable Florida State defense in the Blue Devils’ shock semi-final victory in the College Cup. It’s a performance that put Payne back on the map after her career had seemingly begun to stagnate after such a bright start for the ACC side. Payne immediately won a starting spot for Duke as a rookie and produced a promising return with three goals and five assists to heighten expectations going into 2014. Payne would flourish individually, with seven goals and five assists for the Blue Devils, but she also was forced to endure Duke’s worst season on the pitch in some time collectively. In fact, Payne seemed to be stuck in a bit of an offensive rut as a junior, as even with that huge push at the end of the season, she finished with just four goals and five assists in 2015. But being able to produce on the big stage in the NCAA Tournament, both in the semi-final and the quarterfinal against Stanford absolves a lot of sins and has put Payne squarely on the radar for the 2017 draft. While Payne could be a terror for teams that love to explode on the counter, the big question is if she’s got enough end product to truly be a hit at the next level.

15. Ashley Lawrence – D (LB), MF (AMC), F (CF) – West Virginia

A polarizing player, but one who has set herself as a consistent member of the Canadian WNT over the past few years. Lawrence has seemingly been around internationally and with WVU forever and will be headed to the Olympics, likely in a new position, having been transitioned to left-back in the run up to Rio. It’s an interesting move to say the least, as one of Lawrence’s strengths as an attacking midfielder has been her acceleration and ability to explode into space as her side transitions into attack. Those physical skills could serve her well in a full-back role as she tries to motor forward to provide attacking width. As an attacker, Lawrence has been a solid producer, with five goals and eight assists last season both career highs at Division I level. But Lawrence is also far from being an efficient offensive force, needing forty-eight shots for those five goals and not putting 50% of those efforts on frame. Critics will also point out that Lawrence has never been the most consistent player on the pitch, though on her day, Lawrence can be a devastating part of an offense. A mortal lock to be allocated by Canada, the left-back experiment in Rio for Lawrence may ultimately dictate more of her draft future than her senior season at WVU.

16. Kailen Sheridan – GK – Clemson

Canadian looks to be second in line to the throne in goal behind Sabrina D’Angelo when veterans Erin McLeod and Stephanie Labbe retire. Injury to McLeod has already pushed Sheridan into a reserve role as Canada’s #3 for Rio, and though she’ll technically be an alternate, Sheridan will still travel to Brazil with the rest of the team, marking another peg in a steady rise up the ranks. The Canadian’s been the last line of defense for Clemson over the course of three seasons and has largely met expectations after coming into the ACC school as one of its most highly touted recruits in ages. It’s no coincidence that having Sheridan in goal has coincided with the Tigers’ defense becoming one of the fiercest in DI, and she capped her junior season off with All-America honors at year’s end. A rangy keeper who’s more long than explosive in between the pipes, Sheridan’s still capable of making big saves and has deceptive footwork for a keeper. The worry is that when it goes wrong for Sheridan, it really goes wrong, as in the disastrous ACC Tournament semi-final loss to Virginia last year. Then again, you probably could say many of the same things about current Washington Spirit keeper Kelsey Wys, who turned out just fine after maturing in goal. It could be the same way for Sheridan, who should be one of the first two keepers off the board in January.

17. Nichelle Prince – F (CF) – Ohio State

A mercurial prospect, Prince’s draft stock has been volatile over the past three seasons since her electrifying debut in 2013. That season, the Canadian marked her collegiate debut with thirteen goals and six assists and looked like the next big thing for club and country. Prince has struggled to recapture that form since though, missing half of 2014 through the U20 World Cup and injury, scoring just three goals in ten matches for the Buckeyes. Prince fared better last season, leading the team in goals and assists, but she scored just six times on a gaudy eighty-four shots, hardly the return of an ace marksman at this level. And yet Prince is so much more when actually looking beyond the numbers and at her complete performances live and on film. Her workrate is tremendous, and the Canadian is more than willing to track back into midfield and defend from the front, often to the detriment of her own personal statistics. Canadian WNT manager John Herdman is clearly a fan, having named Prince to the Olympic Team ahead of the Rio games, something that could put her in the frame for an allocated spot in the NWSL next season. Prince clearly has a pro future, but maximizing that future may be contingent upon a big 2016 for the Buckeyes.

18. Nickolette Driesse – MF (MC, AMC) – Penn State

One of the only players in NCAA history to have two winners’ medals with two different clubs at DI level. Driesse first burst onto the scene as a member of Florida State in 2013, starting twenty-seven matches and looking like a fixture for the Noles in central midfield for some time to come. Driesse impressed enough to make a late charge onto the U.S. U20 roster for the 2014 U20 World Cup, but it was a mixed blessing, as Driesse never really regained favor with FSU upon her return from the competition and was increasingly marginalized by the end of the Noles’ national title winning campaign. A fresh start with Penn State proved to be just what Driesse needed, and she flourished in a more attacking role in midfield for the Nittany Lions, providing enough thrust in the center of the park to help PSU on to their first national title. Four goals and six assists were a far cry from her more static days at Florida State, and Driesse looks like one of the the most dynamic midfielders in this class. She’ll be vital for Penn State as a senior, as the team gets gutted by graduation and the U20 World Cup. If she can keep the attack humming, Driesse may sneak into the first round come January.

19. Joanna Boyles – MF (AMC, MC) – North Carolina

A youth club phenom who took a little while to settle in with the Tar Heels but who has improved markedly since arriving in Chapel Hill. Boyles wouldn’t really start rolling until winning a starting role as a sophomore and had a big season on the stat sheet, putting up assists on six game winning goals for UNC and notching eight assists overall. Boyles wasn’t quite as explosive on the stat sheet last year, with four goals and four assists, but the attacking midfielder was still an invaluable contributor in UNC’s first choice lineup. While Boyles’ ability in tight spaces and passing range are strong suits to her game, most will recognize her lethal ability on free kicks, hitting the upper corners of the goal from distance with alarming ease. There is a big red flag with Boyles though, and it was one all too common for UNC last season, as the senior midfielder was one of the many Tar Heels to see her season curtailed by an ACL injury. Boyles fell victim to the serious knee injury in early November, so her being 100% by the start of this season is somewhat in doubt. But with UNC likely to take hits from the U20 World Cup and from losses to graduation and transfer, the Heels desperately need her in the lineup and producing. If she doesn’t skip a beat from the injury, Boyles could find her way close to or into the first round in January.

20. Mandy Freeman – D (CB, RB, LB), MF (DM) – USC

Utility defender who can play anywhere needed on the backline or even in midfield, Freeman’s versatility should make her a hot commodity in the first few rounds of January’s draft. Freeman made an immediate impression as a rookie for USC, immediately taking her spot as one of the Pac-12’s best defenders and raising expectations going forward. While Freeman didn’t play at that level as a sophomore, she was again a stud as a junior, taking her spot as the anchor in midfield ahead of the back four. The performance of Freeman as a junior was good enough to earn her a spot on the U.S. U23 team along with fellow Trojan (and 2017 NWSL Draft prospect) Kayla Mills. Freeman may have been a defensive midfielder in name, but she also tied for the team lead in assists with six, which should only increase her value going into January. With versatility always in demand, Freeman could end up making this projection look conservative come January, especially if USC lives up to their potential in 2016.

21. Kirsten Crowley – D (CB, RB), MF (MC) – Florida State

Fifth-year senior is yet another top of the line defender to come off the conveyor belt in Tallahassee, a consistent source of top level defenders. Hopes may not have been through the roof for Crowley coming into 2013 after redshirting as a rookie, but the Floridian defied expectations by turning into an invaluable member of the defense at right-back. Crowley would again make pundits look dumb by proving to be a superb center-back for FSU upon sliding over to partner Kristin Grubka in 2014 as a member of the Noles’ title winning back four. Crowley would fill that post again as a junior, while adding the captaincy to her resume for FSU. She’d enjoy her best season for FSU anchoring the Noles’ defense and even got involved in the attack, scoring three times and adding five assists to show she had some offensive punch to go with defensive solidity. Her performance was enough to see her called into camp with the U.S. U23s in the offseason, adding more validity to her claims as one of this class’ premier players. The biggest question about Crowley is her size, as she’s short for a center-back at the next level at just 5’5”. But having also played right-back and being capable in midfield should help Crowley’s cause. She’s a player that should find a role somewhere in the NWSL, and like Michaela Hahn last January, her draft stock might rise significantly if she can excel as a senior.

22. Stephanie Amack – D (RB, LB, CB), MF (DMC) – Stanford

It’s been a thoroughly odd career arc for Amack, who looked like a future superstar coming into her collegiate career with Stanford after having already picked up a winner’s medal for the U.S. U20s during 2012’s glorious triumph. Except things haven’t particularly progressed in a major way since then for Amack. At youth international level, Amack was a member of the U20s once more for the U.S. in 2014, but few are likely to remember that dismal campaign with much fondness. With Stanford, while it’s hyperbolic to call Amack a bust considering she’s been a solid starter for much of her college career, she hasn’t come close to developing into the star that many foresaw upon her arrival in Palo Alto. While Amack was solid again for the Card, starting twenty-one matches for the team in 2015 as a junior, she continues to be overshadowed by many of the club’s more dynamic players. But for all that, you don’t start for a powerhouse like Stanford if you aren’t quite talented, and Amack’s versatility is a massive feather in her cap as she tries to transition to the next level. Capable of playing at full-back (as she did with the U.S. U20s), big enough to play at center-back, and even able as a defensive anchor in midfield, Amack could win a roster spot in the NWSL based on her ability to fill in where needed for a club. But such players aren’t often found being taken early in drafts, and if Amack wants to buck that trend, she’ll need her best season at Stanford by some margin in 2016.

23. Arielle Ship – F (CF) – Cal

Came from obscurity to suddenly be one of the nation’s best forwards as a junior. A former U17 player for the U.S. at youth international level, Ship hadn’t exactly made a big impression in her first two years in Berkeley, barely playing as a rookie before finding her feet a bit as a sophomore but still scoring just four goals in 2014. The worm turned in a major way for Ship as a junior though, as the center forward scored fourteen goals and added six assists to not just lead the Bears in scoring but to claim a shock Pac-12 Player of the Year honor, marking one of the few times in the award’s history that it didn’t head to Westwood or Palo Alto. There are some concerning points with Ship once you dive beyond the raw numbers, as her shots per goal mark was just about passable, while her 48.2% shots on goal percentage was a little disappointing. The biggest worry though might be the fact that Ship scored just two goals against RPI Top 50 teams in 2015, both in the opening weeks of the season, while her six Pac-12 goals came against UCLA, Oregon, and Utah, hardly the league’s biggest and baddest last year. It may sound like splitting hairs, but this class is loaded with forwards, and proving she can score consistently against the Pac-12’s best may be the difference between the first half of the draft and the later rounds for Ship.

24. Simone Charley – F – Vanderbilt

An A+ athlete, and this time, it’s not hyperbole, as Charley’s an All-American level triple jumper for the Commodores in the offseason for Vandy’s track and field team. Charley will be vying for a spot in the triple jump with the U.S. for the Rio Olympics before her senior season on the pitch, underlining her aptitude in the event. Charley’s not half bad at soccer either and has been the main conduit for offense here since Cheyna Williams departed. Many expected big things out of Charley in her junior season after a nine goal, three assist effort in 2014, but her goal total did sag a bit, as she scored just seven, though four of those were game winners, including a priceless extra time goal against league powerhouse South Carolina. Charley’s still an incredibly raw prospect though, obviously down to splitting time between soccer and track and field, which is a gift and a curse for her potential future in the NWSL. The speedster’s efficiency numbers are brutal for a big time prospect at forward (seven goals on eighty shots, 41.2% shot on goal percentage), but in the right environment, Charley’s physical tools could make her lethal as a winger. A team would clearly be drafting Charley on upside and potential and would need patience to help her develop, but the payoff could be big.

25. Tyler Lussi – F – Princeton

Princeton’s already put one prolific forward into the NWSL in current Chicago Red Star Jen Hoy, and the odds of that number doubling for next season are pretty high considering the first three seasons of Lussi’s career with the Tigers. Lussi went on a scoring tear as a rookie for Princeton, scoring ten goals in 2013 and raising expectations as she began her sophomore season. It’s safe to say that Lussi exceeded all of those expectations, scoring better than a goal a game after netting eighteen times in just sixteen matches. Lussi followed that up with an All-America season as a junior, winning Ivy League Offensive Player of the Year for a second year running and demolishing defenses again with fifteen goals in nineteen matches. Reasons to worry? Only four of Lussi’s goals last season came against RPI Top 100 teams, though you only have to ask Boston College how well the forward can do against big clubs when on form. Lussi’s efficiency numbers aren’t really much to write home about either, with a 7.20 shots per goal mark and 39.8% SOG percentage counting against her. With Lussi entrenched with the U.S. U23 team, there’s certainly long-term potential for the Tiger, though it may be hard to break through beyond the middle rounds in this packed class.

26. Ashley Hatch – F (CF) – BYU

Brute force on a football pitch personified, Hatch is a still somewhat raw talent at forward but one with no shortage of upside to her game through three seasons. A highly touted rookie coming into Provo, Hatch still was clearly getting her feet under her at this level as a rookie but still managed six goals and seven assists to raise expectations heading into her sophomore season. That was a breakout season for Hatch, who scored a stunning eighteen goals to help fire BYU to WCC honors and to establish herself as one of the nation’s best forwards. 2015 would not be a season to remember for Hatch though, as she suffered through an injury riddled season, which saw her miss eight matches and look limited in the final three matches of the season in which she returned. But even before being felled by injury, Hatch was struggling, as the Arizona native scored just four goals in ten matches with a rather absurdly bad efficiency mark, with the powerful forward needing seventy-six shots to score those four goals. A high usage rate comes with the territory in BYU’s go, go, go offense, but those are frightening numbers in any context. BYU meeting their potential as a College Cup team this season largely depends on Hatch being healthy and on form. She has the potential to be a big time target forward at the next level, but Hatch could slip to the later rounds or out of draft consideration if she can’t find her scoring form coming into 2016.

27. Claire Wagner – D (CB) – Clemson

Leader of a hard-nosed Clemson defense that has helped turn the Tigers into a contender in the ACC. Understandably, it was pretty tough for Wagner to get recognized as one of the nation’s top young center-backs early in her career with Clemson’s diminished profile, but as the Tigers have soared up the ACC ladder, so has the profile of their defensive bulwark. A starter from day one here, Wagner’s been an unshakable presence at the heart of the talented rearguard for three seasons and finally got much deserved All-ACC Third Team honors after her strong showing as a junior in 2015. Like some of the other members of Clemson’s defense, Wagner’s got some scoring punch as well and showed as much last season, finishing tied for third on the team in goals with three and second in assists with five, both strong totals for a center-back. But it’s Wagner’s defending that makes her a potential pro, and with Clemson a contender to reach the College Cup in 2016, she’ll be under the microscope to see if she can lead the Tigers to glory. If she can or comes close, she could well sneak into the middle rounds of this January’s draft.

28. Stephanie Ribeiro – MF – UConn

If you guessed that Rachel Hill was the leader in shots for UConn, you’d be wrong, as Ribeiro actually led the club with a whopping ninety-six, a crazy number for someone listed as a midfielder. Ribeiro also enjoyed her best season as a collegian, scoring seven goals and doubling the assist total from her sophomore season with eight. Six of Ribeiro’s seven goals were match winners, showcasing a clutch scoring factor which may possibly ease some of the pain of what would have to be considered abysmal efficiency numbers (including a 30.2% SOG mark). Ribeiro’s always seemed to be on the cusp of big things at UConn, first impressing as a super sub as a rookie before earning spot starter duties as a sophomore and scoring six goals for her troubles. A recall to U.S. U20 camp at the end of that season seemingly put Ribeiro on a fast track to stardom, but she’d miss all of 2014 through injury, raising questions going into 2015. As stated above though, Ribeiro flourished, winning All-America and AAC Midfielder of the Year honors. That was enough to see her on the U.S. U23 team in the offseason and get her a spot high on this big board. She’s not an elite offensive talent in this class but does look like a solid late round investment if she keeps her junior form going.

29. Kristen McNabb – D (CB) – Virginia

AKA the “other” Virginia center-back the past few seasons, McNabb will get a chance to quarterback the Cavaliers’ backline in 2016 with the graduation of Emily Sonnett. It’s been a bit of an uphill climb to this position for McNabb, who missed her true freshman season through injury and came off the bench as a reserve for most of 2013. For the past two seasons though, McNabb has been a force in central defense for a stingy Virginia defense. McNabb wasn’t completely recognized for her performances until this past season though, earning All-Region Second Team honors. McNabb has nine combined goals in her two seasons as a starter here, which is an added bonus for any defender, and she certainly isn’t shy about pulling the trigger, having had twenty-six shots last season. There are some questions that need answering this season though. McNabb will need to show that she’s capable of excelling in her own right after playing on a backline with Sonnett as a center-back partner for two seasons, though if she keeps progressing, her stock could skyrocket. McNabb’s also short for a center-back at 5’5”, which might be the major knock against her. Whether it’s in the middle or out wide though, McNabb figures to get a shot at the next level and recently made her mark at U23 level for the U.S. in the offseason.

30. Ashley Herndon – F/MF – James Madison

A bit of a jack-of-all-trades attacker who has had little trouble shredding high mid-major defenses in her three seasons with James Madison. Herndon had been a very good player for the Dukes for her first two seasons with the club who needed to take the next step in order to become a big time draft prospect. It’s safe to say after her brilliant 2015 season that Herndon is on many radars now after a breakout junior season. Having scored six goals in each of her first two seasons with JMU, Herndon went off in 2015, scoring fourteen goals (one from the penalty spot) while cutting her shots taken by a good margin. Herndon’s SOG % still could do with a bit of improvement, but her overall efficiency is definitely on the better end of this class’ marks. With five goals against RPI Top 50 teams and eight against RPI Top 100 sides, Herndon’s no flat-track bully either. Capable of finishing with her feet or with her head, Herndon seems especially adept at making creeping far post runs to finish off crosses. Herndon herself isn’t bad driving in crosses from out wide or playing through balls, so it’ll be interesting to see where she is lined up at the next level. Having excelled with the Washington Spirit reserves, Herndon seems a natural for the pros and could be a late round steal.

31. Gracie Lachowecki – F (LF, RF) – Miami (FL)

You usually see players getting switched from offense to defense and not the other way around at this level, but Lachowecki is a rare and successful exception to the rule. Lachowecki actually was switched to defense as a rookie and was a starter for much of her sophomore season before moving back to offense as a junior. And it worked. Very, very well. Lachowecki ended up with All-ACC Second Team honors, which may well have been an All-American nod considering how hard it is for the lesser teams of the league to get recognized. But Lachowecki did incredibly well for herself considering she was hobbled by injuries and missed a few games over the course of the season. Lachowecki’s twelve goals probably wouldn’t land her this high on the board normally, but she did so on incredible efficiency numbers (3.25 shots per goal, 61.5% SOG) and scored seven goals against RPI Top 50 teams last season, more than some of the more vaunted prospects in this class like Rachel Hill, McKenzie Meehan, and Murielle Tiernan. There are some red flags though. Lachowecki isn’t super fast on tape considering she plays as a winger, and there is a little bit of risk that she may just be a one-season wonder. We’ll get an answer to that question this season, but if she comes up with another big season in 2016, Lachowecki could be an interesting middle round selection.

32. Marti Corby – MF – Grand Valley State

One of the best players in NCAA Division II history, Corby stands a good chance of becoming the first non-Division I player drafted in NWSL history if she maintains the form shown in the first three seasons of her collegiate career. As you might expect from a prospect from a lower division on this list, Corby’s numbers are ludicrous, having scored twenty-five goals and added sixteen assists for last season’s Division II champion Grand Valley State team. A two-time Division II Player of the Year, Corby is a heavy favorite to win her third straight personal POTY award come the end of 2016. It’s a little difficult to see how Corby’s game is going to translate to the highest level considering she’s probably going to be a midfielder as a pro and is tasked with doing a lot of scoring at Division II level. Skill on the ball is definitely high and unleashes absolute lasers at goal, including off of free kicks, when given the opportunity. Got an invite to a U.S. U23 camp in the offseason, which bodes well for her odds of at least getting a shot in someone’s camp. Probably a bit of a developmental project who may need some major minutes in Europe to accelerate her development, but there’s definitely upside here for the DII phenomenon.

33. Emma Fletcher – MF (AMC, MC, AMR) – Cal

Has experience at youth international level for both New Zealand (at the U17 level) and Canada (at the U20 level). A highly coveted youth prospect, Fletcher began her college career on the other side of the continent with LSU and set the SEC on fire as a freshman. A starter from day one, Fletcher racked up twelve assists and became an instant sensation for the Tigers’ internationally tinged contingent. It didn’t particularly end all that well for Fletcher in Baton Rouge though, as she appeared jaded upon her return from Canada’s less than spectacular U20 World Cup in 2014, and it was hardly a surprise that she was out the door at season’s end, transferring to Pac-12 contenders Cal before her junior season. While Fletcher hasn’t completely rebuilt her reputation after one season in Berkeley, she did have a much better campaign as a central midfielder for the Golden Bears. Without as much pressure to produce on the stat sheet given the superior talent surrounding her, Fletcher was able to be a steadier presence in the center of the park, even if she only had three assists. But considering her international status, Fletcher may need to be more dynamic as a senior if she’s to avoid the fate of many previous very good but not great Canadians come draft day. With her ability and the surrounding talent, you wouldn’t count her out from doing just that.

34. Casie Ramsier – MF (AMC) – Auburn

Dallas native might be Auburn’s best player since former NWSL’er and club legend Katy Freels. Ramsier has been a fixture in the lineup for the Tigers since day one on the Plains and will be looking to add to Auburn’s trophy cabinet as a senior. A dynamic attacker leading the midfield charge, Ramsier scored nine goals as a rookie and hasn’t really looked back since, though expectations were certainly higher as a junior after a slightly disappointing return in 2014, with Ramsier seeing her goal total drop to four while also adding five assists. She recovered in a big way, not just leading Auburn in scoring but more than doubling the goal total of the next high scorer on the club, a rather incredible feat considering Ramsier isn’t a center forward, though that may also underline the Tigers’ lack of a frontline threat to take pressure off of their star. That pressure probably showed in Ramsier’s efficiency numbers, which were rather ghastly, though a bit understandable for a midfielder. Ramsier does tend to strike against the big clubs though. Her seven goals against RPI Top 50 teams last year is tied for second in this class, and that big game ability could turn some heads on draft day, even in this crowded class.

35. Hayley Dowd – F (CF) – Boston College

Dowd is just the latest attacking threat from the conveyor belt in Newton that churns out scorers at a frequent rate. While classmate McKenzie Meehan is likely to get most of the draft attention heading into January, Dowd’s been more than capable of lighting up the stat sheet for the Eagles since stepping foot onto campus as a highly touted recruit. With plenty of attackers already on the roster when Dowd as a freshman, she had to be content with super sub status before really breaking out in 2014 as a starter. As a part of BC’s high-octane offense (and with Meehan injured), Dowd went on a scoring frenzy, netting fifteen goals to lead the club and put down a marker for herself as one of the nation’s most dangerous forwards. The question going into 2015 was how well Dowd would be able to co-exist with Meehan healthy again. The answer? Pretty well, even if her numbers declined a bit. Dowd scored four goals against RPI Top 50 teams and seven against Top 100 teams, including goals against ACC powerhouses Duke, Florida State, and Virginia. But she’s also an inefficient scorer, with a 35.1% SOG percentage especially troubling. Scorers are a dime-a-dozen in this class, so Dowd may need to round off some of the rough edges in her game to ensure herself of hearing her name called in January.

36. Simone Kolander – F (CF) – Minnesota

Stock is surging after a breakout 2015 season for the Golden Gophers. Kolander had definitely shown signs of being a potential star earlier in her career, netting five assists as a rookie before a great sophomore season of five goals and eight assists. Kolander would hit the ground running in 2015 after a stint with the W-League’s Seattle Sounders, scoring ten goals and winning Big Ten Forward of the Year honors as a junior, a rather unexpected honor for a program that doesn’t exactly rake in individual honors all that much. Was impressive in doing almost all of her damage in Big Ten play, with seven of her ten goals coming in the league, including a whopping five match winning goals against league foes, which is incredible considering the Gophers won just six league games in 2015. Her league efficiency mark was great was well, scoring six non-penalty goals on twenty-six shots and putting a ridiculous 63% of her shots on frame. A towering forward at 5’11”, Kolander will be tipped for another big season in 2016 and could climb further up this list if she keeps scoring, which will be important for her stock considering how packed this class is with scoring options.

37. Margaret ‘Midge’ Purce – F (RF, CF) – Harvard

It might be an eye of the beholder thing with Purce, who might be a divisive prospect come draft day. Massive things were expected of Purce upon reaching the college ranks considering a glittering pedigree, and though it was a bit odd to see such a prized prospect heading to Harvard when bigger schools were in the frame, she was still likely seen as a player who could potentially put the Crimson over the top after so many years of being so close. Three years in, and it’s not gone quite to plan for either club or player. Purce’s stock plummeted after a poor U20 World Cup in 2014, and it’s not completely recovered since the U.S.’ debacle in Canada. Goal total as a junior declined to just nine in 2015 and Purce needed eighty-eight shots to score those goals and put just 37.5% of her shots on target with most of the damage being done in the second half of the season against overmatched opposition. And yet Purce looks pretty damn good when you view footage of her juking defenders out of their boots with the U.S. U23 team this past offseason. Purce probably needs patience and a right fit at the next level to really flourish. But unfortunately, I think she’s a candidate to be taken a few rounds too early in January, though a big senior season could ease those fears.

38. Candace Cephers – MF (DMC) – Virginia Tech

Ruthless, uncompromising hammer in midfield is a great representative of the ethos of Virginia Tech’s hard nosed style. Cephers won a starting role early in her Hokies career in the year of the club’s dream run to the College Cup and has started every match but one in the two seasons since for the Hokies. The midfielder would arguably do her best work as a sophomore, shielding a tenacious defense and scoring six goals to show the evolution of her game. Cephers would net six more as a junior, with some of those strikes coming against the likes of Georgetown and Clemson in 2015. Her shooting can be a bit wayward at times, but Cephers is probably going to be looked at more as a pure defensive option at the next level, with any goals a bonus. Her stock sagged a bit as the Hokies didn’t live up to expectations in 2015, but a rebound season could send her stock soaring back into middle round territory. Cephers definitely has the size and strength to compete at the next level, but is she dynamic enough to stick? Virginia Tech alums have done well for themselves in the pros thus far, albeit with a small sample size, so the big midfielder certainly has a shot of making it if she continues to excel.

39. Ashton McKeown – GK – Long Beach State

Likely the best goalkeeper you’ve never heard of unless you’re an aficionado of soccer on the west coast, McKeown looks like one of the sleepers of this class. A bit of a raw prospect coming out of club ball with the powerhouse So Cal Blues organization, McKeown sat and learned for much of her freshman season here before turning into a revelation for the Beach in her second season with the club. McKeown won just about all that she could in terms of individual awards in 2014 and established herself as one of the region’s best netminders in a huge season for LBSU. Odds were, McKeown would have repeated with most of those honors had she not been sidelined by a shoulder injury for a handful of games in the middle of the season. She still reeled in All-Big West second team honors, a nice award given the quality of the league, and is still set for a big senior season for the always dangerous 49ers. Stands at 5’9” but plays much bigger and is a long, commanding presence in the box. Athletic enough to make the big saves when needed and has shined against tough opposition when given the chance. McKeown may not be on a lot of radars going into 2016, but she could be one of the best keepers from this class when all is said and done.

40. Meggie Dougherty Howard – MF (CM) – Florida

A constant in the lineup in the defensive band of midfield in Florida’s 4-2-3-1 over the past three seasons. Dougherty Howard won a starting spot early in her rookie season with Florida in 2013 and hasn’t relinquished the role since. A rather quiet presence in the middle of the park her first two seasons with the Gators, Dougherty Howard enjoyed a breakout season in 2015 that really started before the season proper when she won a W-League title with the Washington Spirit Reserves and played like one of the defunct league’s best players in its final season. That form certainly translated to the college season when Dougherty Howard dished out eight assists to go with three goals in a strong offensive season for Florida. Capable with her shot from distance, Dougherty Howard could be an interesting playmaker in demand if she can keep the assists coming as a senior. The big worry is that Dougherty Howard could just be a product of Florida’s system, which churns out players who dominate in college but amount to little at professional level, a problem which has been seen repeatedly for the defensive midfielders for the Gators for some time now. Regardless, she’ll probably get a shot somewhere in 2017, and a strong senior season could drive her towards the middle rounds.

41. Mimi Rangel – MF (AMC) – Long Beach State

The Beach have been one of the west’s top mid-majors for a while now, and players like Rangel have been big contributors to that success. Making an immediate impression as a rookie with five goals and four assists, Rangel was the Big West Freshman of the Year and earned all-league First Team honors, a rarity for freshmen in power mid-majors. While Rangel hasn’t busted out and become a superstar as some might have expected, she’s still be a very good player for the 49ers and has helped make them a constant threat for Big West silverware. Rangel followed up her rookie year with a three goal, six assist season that earned her Midfielder of the Year honors in the league which set the table for a potentially big 2015. Rangel slipped a bit though, with her goal total dipping to just two, with one of those coming from the spot, while notching five assists. Rangel still has a chance of being the rare player to win All-League first team honors all four seasons of her collegiate career, though her ceiling might be a bit lower than expected after her brilliant rookie season. She’s a bit undersized at 5’2”, but she’ll be battle tested coming into the next level with LBSU having played tough schedules all throughout her four years there. If she comes up big as a senior, Rangel could be an intriguing late round sleeper in January.

42. Elena Medeiros – MF (CM) – BYU

Another in the cache of offensive weapons BYU has at their disposal, Medeiros has gone from a rookie who struggled for minutes in the Cougar lineup to an invaluable member of a potent midfield. After that freshman season, the Utah native battled her way into the starting lineup and repaid the faith shown with five goals and seven assists, being a key conduit in the middle of the park during BYU’s long winning streak in 2014. While Medeiros’ assist total dipped markedly to just one as a junior, she upped her goal total to eight, including tallies in wins over Pac-12 sides Cal and Colorado. Medeiros’ efficiency numbers aren’t that great, at just over 7.00 shots per goal and well under 50% on her shots on goal percentage, but she probably wouldn’t need to do that much shooting at the next level at any rate if she’s going to be a central midfielder. At the same time, getting her assist total back up to a healthy level might be something key to her draft stock in 2016. Like all BYU seniors, a run to the College Cup or close to it would be a big boost going into January. The talent is there, and if BYU gets to the last weekend of the season, odds are, Medeiros will have played a big role in that run.

43. Rachel Boaz – GK – BYU

Boaz’s story could probably take up this entire profile, so I’ll try to be brief. The Californian missed her true freshman season after getting hit by a motorcycle and ending up in the hospital but recovered to be a pillar of strength in goal, helping San Diego State to twenty-one wins in 2012’s stunning season. Boaz then left SDSU, completed a Mormon mission, and transferred to BYU ahead of the 2015 season. It’s safe to say that Boaz, well regarded at SDSU, is still a quality keeper, as she won WCC Goalkeeper of the Year honors last season and was a part of another powerhouse BYU squad. Behind a backline without any real superstars in 2015, Boaz was a calming veteran presence that was a very talented last line of defense for the Cougars, made all the more impressive considering it was her first season with the club. Big things are expected of BYU with so much talent returning in 2016, and a netminder like Boaz could be a key in the club finally getting to a much coveted College Cup. If Boaz maintains and improves upon her form she’s shown in three collegiate seasons, she stands a good chance of getting a look at the next level, even if she will likely be a few years older than most of the other prospects.

44. Tabby Tindell – F (CF) – Florida Gulf Coast

Florida Gulf Coast’s been formidable for a while in DI, but they’ve only truly hit a new level since the rise of Tindell, who has been a scoring terror for the Eagles the past three seasons. Fifteen goals as a freshman was a marvelous debut for Tindell, and she’s promptly followed it up with thirty-seven combined goals in the two following seasons, including seventeen last year to go with ten assists. Tindell’s proven to be solid efficiency-wise, with five shots per non-penalty goal last season while putting an absurd 67.5% of shots on frame. The big question is if the Eagles forward can do it consistently against top level teams. The evidence from last year doesn’t exactly speak in her favor. While Tindell did score a goal and had an assist against Cal State Fullerton, her other forays with top teams weren’t so pleasant. Against Ole Miss, West Virginia, South Florida, and Duke, Tindell didn’t just go without an assist or goal, but the forward had one shot on goal combined in those four matches. It could potentially be a case of needing to flourish in an environment surrounded by pro level players, but if Tindell can’t find her scoring touch against top teams as a senior, she might not make it above late-round flyer status.

45. Jaycie Johnson – F (CF), D (FB) – Nebraska

It’s been a bit of a star-crossed existence for Johnson since she busted onto the scene with one of the finest rookie seasons in recent memory. That year, Johnson was a big part of Nebraska’s shock double in the Big Ten, scoring seventeen goals on seventy-seven shots and looking every bit like a future star at this level. It’s not been the same since. Few would argue that an eleven goal season could be seen as a failure, but Johnson’s sophomore season was a bit disappointing after that 2013. Last year was quite forgettable as well, as Johnson scored just three goals in nine matches before seeing her season end prematurely with a torn ACL. Said injury raises a whole new litany of concerns on Johnson’s profile other than her eroding scoring form, and proving she can still go at a high level after that major injury will obviously be key to her draft status. Johnson has U23 experience with the U.S., and there’s been talk of her being converted to full-back, which could be her ticket to a spot at the next level. Nebraska really needs Johnson to be on form to challenge for the postseason, so seeing how she copes with the spotlight in her final collegiate season could tell the story of her draft stock next January.

46. Brooke Sharp – F (AML, AMR) – Florida

Sharp came from out of nowhere to turn into a legitimate scoring option for the Gators, who were probably thankful to not have all of the scoring load placed upon Savannah Jordan’s shoulders. It was hardly something that could have been foreseen, as Sharp had scored just five goals combined in her first two seasons with the Gators and was just a spot starter, even as a sophomore. But Sharp started scoring early as a junior and didn’t stop, netting eleven goals and four assists in 2015 while starting every match for Florida as a part of the attacking band of midfielders in the club’s 4-2-3-1 formation. Though she couldn’t match Jordan’s raw numbers or efficiency, Sharp was still a damn good second option, needing just five shots per goal, putting over 56% of her shots on target and scoring six times against RPI Top 100 teams. Now, the trick is to prove she isn’t a one-hit wonder, as a down season in 2016 could have some believing that 2015 was just an outlier for the Gator attacker. UF has been very hit or miss for NWSL clubs in their search for next-level prospects, so Sharp really needs a big season to fortify her draft stock going into 2017’s draft, especially given the overall strength of attackers in this class.

47. Allison Wetherington – MF (RM, AMC) – Portland

It’s not quite gone to plan for either Wetherington or her Portland side, who have both slipped from prominence in quite a precipitous fashion over the past three seasons. Wetherington entered the college ranks as one of her class’ prized recruits and a player expected to help keep the Pilots on top of the WCC and another potential pro churned out from a very active pipeline in Portland. However, Wetherington has merely been good for the Pilots, and that’s not been good enough to keep Portland on top of the pile in the WCC more often than not. A former WCC Freshman of the Year, Wetherington was still excellent as a sophomore but seems to be spinning her wheels at the moment and may have even regressed after just an above average 2015 for the former national champion Pilots. She still produced on the stat sheet with three goals and five assists, but it was hardly the breakthrough season needed or expected for the Pilots. A pure wide midfield candidate at the next level, Wetherington faces a crucial season as a senior for Portland. If she excels and helps her side up the WCC pecking order, she might be a savvy late round pick in January. If not, she might slip from the draft radar altogether.

48. Diana Poulin – GK – Saint John’s (NY)

Almost all of the attention for Saint John’s (NY)’s rise to prominence in the Big East has generally been focused towards the club’s English imports, Rachel Daly and Georgia Kearney-Perry, but many of the program’s domestic players, like Poulin, have been just as vital. Whereas Daly has supplied the goals, Poulin has been a key figure in keeping them out the past three seasons for the Red Storm. Poulin impressed right away as a rookie in 2013 and has progressed rapidly since that point, winning league Goalkeeper of the Year honors two seasons running, something that was very impressive last season considering she ceded about four hundred minutes to backup Katie DeVault, herself a very talented netminder. Poulin’s performance for the Red Storm caught the attention of the U.S. hierarchy, letting her get called up to a U23 camp in the offseason and surely putting her on the radar of NWSL teams going forward. It will be interesting to see if Poulin’s play stays at a superior level in what could be a transition season for her club after some big losses. If she can keep pushing on, Poulin could be a potential late round selection in January’s draft.

49. Serina Kashimoto – D (CB), MF (CM) – Butler

You probably are familiar with Kashimoto’s story by this point. The former captain of the Japan U17 team, Kashimoto worked diligently to get eligible in DI and ended up at Butler of all places, helping the Bulldogs to their stirring run to the Big East Tournament title last year. The Japanese youth international took a little while to settle in at this level but has since turned into one of the region’s best midfielders and undoubtedly one of the best to ever pull on a shirt for Butler. Standing at just 5’3”, Kashimoto played center-back for Japan but was used in a more offensive role for the Bulldogs, no doubt due to her technical proficiency. A wizard with the ball at her feet in tight spaces, Kashimoto has made overmatched defenders look silly with her close control for three years. She’s also a great distributor, including from out wide and on set pieces, meaning a role as a full-back or winger isn’t out of the question. Kashimoto doesn’t possess A-level athleticism though, and when the game got sped up against some of Butler’s better opponents, she receded into the background a bit. That might make her a less than ideal fit in the NWSL, but she’ll be in demand elsewhere in international leagues that are more focused on technical ability.

50. Carol Rodrigues – F (CF) – UCF

Brazilian is perhaps most well known for her bicycle kick against Tulsa last season that drew attention from national highlight shows. Former youth international is the rare player to make a successful step up from the junior college ranks to a major conference program, giving UCF a serious attacking threat in 2015 after two productive seasons with Monroe Junior College, including the winning goal for Monroe in the JUCO DI final in 2014. Any questions over Rodrigues’ ability to make the step up to DI proper were answered positively, as the Brazilian started every match and was AAC co-Offensive Player of the Year with eleven goals and six assists. Rodrigues’ shots per goal numbers are solid, though her SOG % of just 47.2% could use some improvement. With nine goals against RPI Top 100 teams, Rodrigues also has the power to be a factor against this division’s top teams as well. Why isn’t she higher? Because there might be some questions over her ability to handle the pace of the professional game. The Brazilian certainly knows what to do with the ball when she gets it within sight of goal, but she’s also a bit plodding going forward. Definitely not for every system but may have a professional future somewhere.

51. Emily Armstrong – GK – UConn

Armstrong might be the one who got away for Boston College, who had the keeper on their books in 2012 but did not use her, with the netminder transferring to regional rival UConn right after that season and has been a revelation in goal for the Huskies ever since. Armstrong won the starting spot right away as a redshirt freshman, and after a time split with Allison Saucier a season later, has reclaimed the job full-time. Armstrong really had a star turn in the 2014 AAC Tournament, where she was a rock in goal, helping the Huskies to silverware with a strong display in goal in the competition. She didn’t look back as a junior, winning league Goalkeeper of the Year honors after another fantastic season between the pipes for the Huskies. Usually working with a very secure set of hands, Armstrong is still capable of making acrobatic saves and has a rocket for a leg, especially on punts. The Husky keeper still could get a bit better in the air for someone her size, but the upside is definitely there. The GK hierarchy in this class is wide open after the top two, so it’d hardly be a surprise to hear Armstrong’s name called in January if she impresses in 2016.

52. Josee Stiever – MF (CM) – Minnesota

A big part of Minnesota’s midfield over the past three seasons, Stiever’s been a little bit overlooked nationally but could be bound for a big 2016 for the Golden Gophers. Stiever really began to show what she was capable of as a sophomore in 2014, tallying up five goals and five assists for Minnesota, including some big contributions in league play in the Big Ten. Stiever’s numbers would dip a little bit as a junior but only slightly, with the midfielder still managing four goals and four assists on the season, again doing much of her damage on the stat sheet in league play for Minnesota. The Gophers have traditionally been known as a blue collar, hard working team that’s been more than the sum of its parts, a tradition that Stiever has definitely kept going from her central midfield position the past three years. Minnesota could surprise a few teams in the Big Ten this upcoming season given some of the talent they have coming back, and Stiever could be a big part of that run. She’s not the most dynamic midfielder in this class, but Stiever should still be worthy of a look from some NWSL club next Spring.

53. Morgan Proffitt – D (CB) – Marquette

Towering center-back got a little more recognition this offseason after being named to the U.S. U23’s Nordic Cup team in June after a strong junior season for Marquette in 2015. It was a just reward for a player that’s experienced a steady rise in profile after making a pretty solid impression early on in her Marquette career, starting twenty-two matches as a rookie for the Big East contenders. It’s been all an upward arc for Proffitt since, with the central defender firmly staking her claim as one of the league’s best defenders this past season. Proffitt also made her presence felt at the other end of the pitch as a junior, scoring three times on twenty-three shots after two combined goals her first two seasons. Marquette’s struggles probably hamstrung Proffitt’s stock a little bit, as the Golden Eagles endured an atypically mediocre season considering their pedigree, but the center-back was one of the few outstanding performers on the season for the Big East side. There are some questions as to whether Proffitt has the pace to keep up with next level forwards, but another strong season in defense should ensure she at least gets the chance to prove she can.

54. Catrina Atanda – MF (CM) – Clemson

Little playmaker out of New Jersey has been at the forefront of Clemson’s journey out of the dregs of DI over the past three seasons. Atanda showed potential as a spot starter as a rookie but really began to come into her own as a sophomore, starting seventeen matches and leading the club in scoring with nine goals, despite not technically being a forward. Atanda would lead Clemson yet again in scoring last season, tying for the team lead with five goals, but she did so taking fifty-nine shots, which definitely wasn’t a positive. It’s unlikely a pro team will be leaning on Atanda for goals that much, but Clemson is stuck needing her to shoot early and often due to their lack of offensive punch overall. Atanda’s got a solid range of passing and is more than capable of delivering long balls over the top of the backline or weighting them to split defenders. Possesses quick feet and is solid in tight spaces but not explosively fast, which could be an issue at the next level. Has a cannon of a shot from distance and often puts it to good use. Atanda could be a big mover if Clemson has a big season as expected, but we might not know more about her pro potential if the Tigers keep having to lean on her for goals in 2016.

55. Meghan Cox – D (RB) – Virginia

Virginia has a history of producing talented full-backs, and Cox looks most likely to be the next on the list come next January. The Springfield native took an interesting road to get to this point though, having begun her career at local mid-major James Madison as a freshman and looking like a future star before transferring to the Cavs. Those afraid that it was going to be a giant step up needn’t have worried too much, as Cox was a spot starter at UVA as a sophomore and notched four goals and three assists for her troubles in 2014. While Cox would be hobbled by injury a bit in ACC play last year, the right-back still started eighteen games and again showed she’s one of the most dangerous full-backs in DI going forward by scoring five goals and adding five assists for Virginia. That scoring display included a hat-trick against UNC Wilmington in August, a very impressive accomplishment considering UNCW’s season overall. Cox may be flying under the radar a bit compared to some of UVA’s other prospects, but with full-backs always in demand, she should have every chance to work her way into draft consideration this season.

56. Ellie Boon – D (LB) – Portland

This degree of anonymity probably isn’t what Boon had in mind upon signing for the Pilots, but her profile hasn’t exactly been raised by her side’s fall into relative obscurity over the past half-decade. A big left-back with prototypical size for the position at the next level (5’8’), Boon’s plied her trade with the Pilots well enough for the past three seasons in Portland. She’d be a starter for most of her first two seasons with the club, being interrupted by injury a bit but still looking like a crucial piece for success when healthy and on form. There were no such interruptions as a junior for Boon, and she finished with four assists, including two in the thrilling win over Marquette, starting every game in 2015 for the Pilots. Boon would enjoy her best season defensively as well, being the best member of a rearguard that held WCC foes to under a goal a game in league play. How high Boon rises on this board probably depends to some extent if Portland can turn it around this year, but left-backs are a golden commodity at the next level, which certainly should ensure that she at least gets a look in camp from some interested NWSL team.

57. Celia Jimenez Delgado – D (RB), MF (RM) – Alabama

You don’t exactly expect to find full internationals from European nations in Tuscaloosa, but that’s what Alabama has in Delgado, a player already well entrenched with the Spanish WNT. It’s not exactly been an easy path to the SEC for Delgado though, as she spent a few years scraping by at JUCO powerhouse Iowa Western Community College, taking up a proactive scoring role for the school against meagre competition. Delgado ended up playing a much more defensive role, of course, with Spain in Canada last year, functioning as the right-back for the ultimately disappointing Spaniards in that campaign. Back in Alabama for her first season of DI ball, Delgado shifted back into a more proactive offensive role in the midfield for a Crimson Tide side that was desperate for some attacking spark. The good news for Delgado is that she ended up leading the team in goals and shots as a junior. The bad news is that meant four goals on fifty-five shots, and you wonder if being shoehorned into an offensive savior role is going to benefit the Spaniard’s professional career in the long run. It remains to be seen whether Delgado is used more defensively this year, but she’ll still be likely to find a professional home in Europe, at any rate.

58. Lauren Miller – F, MF – North Dakota State

Miller was probably the best recruit to ever come North Dakota State’s way, and she certainly has exceeded the hype in three brilliant seasons for the Bison thus far. After two tantalizing seasons where Miller put up nineteen goals and eight assists combined, the NDSU attacker truly made The Leap in 2015, when she obliterated defenses to the tune of eighteen goals while also netting five assists for the Bison. Miller didn’t even need one hundred shots to tally those eighteen goals, though she could have used a better SOG %, having put just 46.8% of her shots on frame. Astonishingly, Miller managed a shot on goal in all twenty of the Bison’s matches in 2015, which isn’t exactly something to scoff at considering NDSU played three major conference opponents last season. She even netted against Wisconsin and Iowa State, though continuing to prove she can do it against top opposition could be key to her draft stock. Miller could be moved back into an attacking midfield role at the next level, though given her scoring aptitude, remaining at forward isn’t out of the question. Regardless, Miller should be on everyone’s radar coming into the new season and could be a late round steal for someone in January.

59. Malcanisha Kelley – F – Samford

A 5’10”, unsubtle tower of power who could be a dark horse to fill someone’s target forward needs come 2017. Kelley and South African Jermaine Seoposenwe have formed one of DI’s most feared attacking duos the past few years, and the Alabama native Kelley looks like a legitimate prospect for the professional level given her body of work thus far. Kelley had definitely shown flashes of real potential in her first two seasons with the Bulldogs, but it wouldn’t be until 2015 where she really took the next step. For the first time in her collegiate career, Kelley reached double figures in goals, scoring thirteen for the Bulldogs. It wasn’t just against SoCon defenses either, as she hit South Alabama for two and helped destroy Memphis with two goals and two assists. She’d also assist on the club’s goal against Duke, revealing more than a small amount of potential, with just three of twenty opponents able to keep her without a shot on goal all season. Kelley’s efficiency numbers were phenomenal for a first option, so it may just be a matter of showing she can do it consistently at the next level against top opposition. Even if Kelley doesn’t make it right away in the NWSL, the possibility of some lucrative chances abroad should definitely be in play as well.

60. Gabby Byorth – D (RB) – Clemson

Expect many a Clemson senior to show up on this board proper after the season, as they’ll be a dark horse for the College Cup, and the Tiger backline (plus goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan) are a big reason why. Byorth has been a constant in the rearguard for Clemson since stepping onto campus in 2013 and has been a starter here at right-back from day one. The full-back hasn’t posted overwhelming numbers in the assist category during her three seasons, but with nine in three seasons, she hasn’t been totally silent in that regard either, though she managed just a pair last season for the Tigers. Truthfully, Byorth probably made more of an impression during Clemson’s solid 2014 campaign than last year, but she and sister Emily still snagged invites to U.S. U23 camp in the offseason, which should keep her on the radar at least for January, provided she and her team meets high expectations this coming season. Full-backs are always in demand at the next level, especially those that survive the crucible of the ACC, so Byorth could yet sneak into the later rounds of the draft next year.

61. Darian Jenkins – F (LF, CF) – UCLA

It’s all gone wrong for Jenkins, who was a star in the making after a rookie season where her eleven goals and five assists were a big reason why the Bruins claimed their first national title under manager Amanda Cromwell. The bar was set pretty high for Jenkins going forward, but the towering forward has struggled to meet those lofty expectations in the two seasons since, netting just eleven goals combined in the past two seasons. Jenkins got off to a slow start last season, netting just once in the club’s first ten matches and going through an eight match scoring drought before seemingly catching lightning in a bottle and scoring twice against Washington State, once against Arizona, and once against Oregon State. But that four goal outburst would be it for Jenkins, who didn’t score in the club’s last five matches, finishing with five goals total. Niggling injuries have not helped Jenkins’ cause, but it’s been pretty clear that the Utah product’s career has stagnated at this point. It’ll be tough to move up this board considering the amount of attacking talent in it, but a big senior season could at least see Jenkins move towards the later rounds. The influx of freshman talent in Westwood could open up some opportunities for Jenkins if they draw some attention away…or it might simply push Jenkins out of the equation entirely if she can’t find her scoring form.

62. Hannah Wilkinson – F – Tennessee

The hype train on Wilkinson has effectively been derailed by this point for a variety of reasons. The most prominent of those has to be the ACL injury Wilkinson suffered in preseason last year for Tennessee that ended her senior season before it began and effectively scuttled the Vols’ hopes of a big season right off the bat. The New Zealand native has returned to action at international level recently and should be on her nation’s Olympic roster come August though, which is a positive sign. But even if you believe that Wilkinson is going to be healthy in the long-term, there are still plenty of red flags to be wary of. She’ll potentially be the oldest prospect in next year’s draft class and will be twenty-five years old early in the 2017 NWSL season, meaning her ceiling is limited, and Wilkinson may not improve much from what she is right now. Her international status is also going to be a hindrance, as clubs haven’t been willing to use those slots for anyone but blue chip college talents, of which Wilkinson is not at this point. But most importantly, Wilkinson’s just not proven herself to be an elite forward at college level. She’s shown she can score against big clubs but has also been prone to prolonged scoring droughts and hasn’t topped nine goals in any of her three collegiate seasons thus far and did not play well in last year’s Women’s World Cup for New Zealand. Given her physical talents, Wilkinson should dominate college defenses but hasn’t put it together as of yet. She still has one season to do so, but as of now, she doesn’t look close to being a top-tier forward in this class.

63. Lindsay Agnew – F (RF) – Ohio State

Canadian-American attacker has been a frustrating enigma for three seasons in Columbus on OSU’s frontline. A highly sought after recruit coming into college and U20 international for Canada, Agnew’s shown signs of rounding into a scoring force at this level but has flattered to deceive in the end for much of her stay with OSU. After a stop-start beginning to her career due to injury as a rookie, big things were expected in 2014, but Agnew sagged with just one goal and three assists despite starting eighteen matches. Her stock at an all-time low, Agnew rebounded somewhat last season with four goals and seven assists, including doing some damage against many of OSU’s Big Ten rivals. Agnew can be a magician on the ball when she’s feeling it and is a great 1v1 artist but also can drift into ‘black hole’ territory, where she stops the ball and tries to do too much herself. It’s unlikely she’ll put up huge numbers in 2016 with Nichelle Prince such a huge focus of the offense, but Agnew still might improve a little bit on her junior season on the stat sheet. Agnew has ‘boom or bust’ written all over her, but the right coaching could draw some of that potential out after she’s tempted observers for so long.

64. Rashida Beal – D (CB) – Minnesota

Undersized center-back has been a solid anchor for the Gophers in the middle of defense for three seasons. Got her feet wet in defense as a rookie but only really started to come around a season later before getting her big breakthrough this past season. Has rounded into one of the region’s best defenders after last season’s breakout year at center-back. Not explosively fast in central defense despite quick feet but makes up for it with smart positioning to frustrate faster forwards and is deceptively difficult to knock off the ball despite her size. Doesn’t seem to be exceptionally overpowering in the air, which could be an issue if she stays at center-back at the next level. Comfortable with the ball at her feet and willing to dribble forward into the attack, though she hasn’t added much on the stat sheet offensively in her three seasons thus far with the Golden Gophers. Production and potential there, but she’s surely too short (5’4”) for central defense at the next level, meaning she may be a long-term project at either full-back or central midfield in the pros for some enterprising franchise.

65. Chelsea Drennan – MF (CM) – South Carolina

Quick, name the active career leader in assists heading into the 2016 NCAA season. I’m going to guess that most outside of Columbia or SEC country would fail to register that Drennan enters this upcoming season with that honor having racked up twenty-nine assists in three seasons for the Gamecocks, five more than anyone else returning in Division I. The midfielder has already staked a claim for herself as one of SC’s best all-time players and looks likely to own every assist record in Carolina’s record book if she performs to her best standard as a senior. Amazingly, her ten assists in 2015 aren’t even a career high, as she marked her first season at this level in 2013 with a whopping twelve assists, one short of the best in program history for a single season. Drennan’s not particularly likely to get involved in the scoring herself though, with just five goals in three seasons here despite taking a fair amount of shots, and you wonder if she’s dynamic enough in the middle of the park to make it as a pro. Regardless, that level of production in terms of assists should ensure that Drennan at least gets a look from someone at the next level.

66. Megan Turner – MF – Stanford

Reserves don’t generally make a dent in these big boards, even if they extend all the way to a Top 100. But exceptions are made for the rare player at powerhouse programs like Stanford, who may have a real diamond in the rough in the form of Turner. A key reserve as a rookie, Turner ended up working her way into the starting lineup as a sophomore and was a key figure in the lineup by the time the NCAA Tournament rolled around. An influx in midfield rookie talent meant that Turner was relegated to a reserve role last year, but something clicked with the Danville native, with the midfielder playing an important part in keeping the midfield ticking over when the starters came off the pitch. Her experience was also a boost considering Turner started all of the club’s NCAA Tournament matches once more, with Paul Ratcliffe opting for the battle tested player to fortify his lineup. She more than repaid that faith with a goal and an assist in the win over Arizona in the Sweet Sixteen. Turner’s never going to burn up the stat sheet, but her experience and pedigree makes her an intriguing prospect that looks like someone who might get a camp invite from an NWSL club and who could stick around a while if given a chance.

67. Summer Clarke – F (CF) – LSU

Clarke may have gotten back into the Canadian WNT’s good graces after a rocky relationship in the past, but I’m not particularly sold on the LSU forward. Clarke made a big impression as a rookie here, scoring ten goals for the Tigers but doing it against the dregs of LSU’s schedule for the most part and has struggled to take the next step towards stardom. What’s followed has been two seven goal seasons where Clarke has faded as the weather’s turned frosty, including a junior season that started with a ton of potential, the Canadian scoring her seven goals in the club’s first ten matches. But Clarke then proceeded to not score in LSU’s last thirteen matches and only had four shots on goal in that span, perhaps making her All-SEC second team honors a bit of a mystery. Being hobbled by injury that cost Clarke three games late in the season didn’t help her cause either. Some might argue that Clarke’s been overshadowed by teammate Jorian Baucom in recent seasons, but Clarke will have to play much better as a senior to stick on draft boards. Impressing on her senior WNT debut in the offseason should be a confidence booster, but it’s difficult seeing her allocated anywhere in the NWSL by Canada if she can’t make a quantum leap in production considering the bounds of young talent her country has coming out in this draft that may be ahead of her on the pecking order.

68. Carlotta Fennefoss – D (CB, LB) – South Florida

The former captain of the Norwegian U20 team shocked pretty much everyone when she ended up at a then downtrodden Lipscomb program before the 2013 season. It was hardly a surprise that Fennefoss proved to be far too good for that level of football, dominating A-Sun opponents defensively and turning into one of the best players in program history despite spending just two seasons in Nashville. Fennefoss was always likely to need a move to a bigger club to truly flourish and move towards her potential, so it was hardly shocking to see her move to South Florida before her junior season, with USF an always popular spot for internationals. What was a bit surprising was Fennefoss moving away from her usual center-back role into a left-back role for the Bulls, something that wasn’t exactly conventional considering Fennefoss stands at a massive 5’10”. She looked like a center-back playing left-back at times, though her presence was sorely missed when she was stricken with injury in the club’s loss to Cincinnati in last season’s AAC Tournament final. The Norwegian will probably be back off to Europe after this season, and if she impresses, it may not be too long until Fennefoss finds herself in the mix for her country at full international level.

69. Hope Sabadash – GK – Southeastern Louisiana

Sabadash looks to be the winner of this draft class’ “Best Goalkeeper You’ve Never Heard Of” award. Of course, the Canadian probably is a little bit better known than your typical small school prospect, as she’s fresh off a second team All-American junior season with the tiny Lions of Southeastern Louisiana. Sabadash was a phenomenon early on for SELA, taking the starting job as a rookie and doing her part in front of a sometimes porous backline to help get her club to the NCAA Tournament. Sabadash’s sophomore season would be a little less noteworthy, but she returned with a vengeance last season in helping SELA back to the NCAA Tournament while raking in no shortage of individual honors for herself. The question though is if Sabadash can play at a high level consistently considering few would accuse the Lions of scheduling the roughest non-conference schedule, meaning the Canadian is mostly untested against the best at this level. Combine that with her status as an international, and it doesn’t seem too likely Sabadash will be gracing the NWSL next season. But multiple Canadian keepers have been welcomed abroad in Europe, and that could be an achievable path if Sabadash continues to play like one of the nation’s best keepers, as she has for three seasons with SELA.

70. Brie Hooks – F (RF, LF) – Seattle University

An enigma who’s down to her last chance to prove she can fulfill much of the promise she began her collegiate career with. Hooks was an instant sensation for Colorado as a rookie, scoring twice in her collegiate debut and not looking back, scoring eight goals and getting a cup of coffee at U20 level for the U.S. Hooks also was impressive as a sophomore, matching her earlier goal total with eight and adding six assists to the cause. But Hooks suffered as much as anyone last season on an underachieving Colorado side, scoring just five goals, with one of those strikes coming from the penalty spot. Worse yet, she needed sixty-six shots to do that damage, also putting less than 45% of her shots on frame. While Hooks started out 2015 decently, she scored just once in the league, and it was hardly a surprise that she was one of the Buffs to depart after the calamitous season. However, it was an eyebrow raiser that Hooks transferred to Seattle University, closer to her home but a big step down in terms of competition. Hooks will probably have to light the WAC up to get back on the radar of many teams following a down junior season, and it still might be an uphill climb in the end.

71. Sammy Jo Prudhomme – GK – USC

Trojans goalkeeper has taken the circuitous route to get here, but she’ll be in the spotlight in 2016 as USC aims to return to the College Cup. Prudhomme started out her career north of Los Angeles with Pac-12 rival Oregon State, winning the bulk of the minutes early in her career with the Beavers and looking like one of the nation’s best young goalkeepers after a strong rookie season. She’d be stuck behind a porous defense a season later though and hopped off the sinking ship in Corvallis after the 2014 season, moving closer to home with the Trojans but at the price of being forced to sit out 2014 as an in-conference transfer. Prudhomme would show she was worth the wait in 2015 though, as she stabilized the goalkeeping position in Los Angeles and was a strong last line of defense for a stingy USC side. Has good size and is usually a pair of safe hands, capable of making some spectacular saves in goal. Decision making coming off her line was not particularly pretty to watch at times as a junior and must get better for Prudhomme to be a viable option at the next level. Figures to get a shot somewhere, either as a developmental backup in the NWSL or as a coveted free agent in Europe.

72. Michele Vasconcelos – F (RF) – BYU

All-action winger will be a big part of BYU’s push towards the College Cup as a fifth-year senior in 2016. Vasconcelos looked like the next big superstar for the Cougars after a rookie season that ended with WCC Freshman of the Year honors following eight goals and seven assists for the Provo powerhouse. The road would not get easier from Vasconcelos after that though, as she suffered a serious injury early in 2013 that cost her almost all of that season. Vasconcelos would return with a vengeance a season later in 2014 and racked up six goals and six assists as she sought to reestablish herself as an important component for the Cougar attack. She’d do as such against last year, but her numbers sunk to career lows, with just three goals and three assists, with those three goals coming against some of BYU’s worst competition of the season. Vasconcelos still was dangerous, but her efficiency rate was alarmingly poor, with those goals coming on sixty-one shots. BYU’s spoilt for choice offensively, which certainly means there’s not going to be huge pressure for the winger to do it all on her own, but her draft stock will likely depend on reversing the trend of declining production on the stat sheet as Vasconcelos tries to finish her college career on a bright note.

73. Kaitlyn Johnson – F (CF) – Washington State

Likely the leading conduit of offense on a traditionally goal shy Washington State side. Johnson hadn’t shown much in front of goal going into the 2015 season, having netted just once as a rookie and then three times one season later in 2014. Johnson’s junior season was a big one though, as she scored seven times and added six assists, both tops on the WSU squad. It’s hard to quibble with Johnson’s efficiency numbers, but closer inspection of her scoring record shows that she did at times struggle to make an impression against the likes of USC, Cal, and Northwestern. Johnson did score against Cal State Fullerton and Washington, so the ability is there, but the consistency needs a bit of fine tuning going into her senior season here. A center-forward in WSU’s 4-2-2-2 system, it’s unlikely Johnson is big enough at 5’3” to fulfill the same role in a pro system. It’d be nice to see if Johnson could function with the same type of potential on the wing, a likely role at the next level, but WSU doesn’t figure to change their stripes any time soon. Faces intense competition at forward in this class, so hitting double digits in goals as a senior could be key to draft status.

74. Jessica Nakae – MF – San Francisco

Nakae, like her San Francisco teammates, had a breakout season in 2015, though, to be truthful, the Torrance native has been pretty good for a mostly out of mind USF team for a while now. Immediately in the mix for a starting spot for the Dons, Nakae would truly show what she was made of as a sophomore in establishing herself as one of the league’s best midfielders and the first player at San Francisco to win first team All-League honors in almost two decades. Still largely off the radar due to a lack of success for her club going into 2015, Nakae was a big reason why USF nearly won the WCC title last year, having a phenomenal third season for the northern California club. Two goals and three assists may not sound like much, but considering one of those goals was the winner in the 2-1 victory over BYU, it’s clear that Nakae plays much bigger than her line on the stat sheet. A bit undersized at 5’2”, Nakae is still a player to watch going into her senior season, and if she gets USF to the NCAA Tournament at long last, she could be one of this board’s big risers going into January’s draft.

75. Julie Vass – MF (DMC) – Santa Clara

English youth international had a star turn as a junior for the Broncos in the middle of the park. Came to Santa Clara as a well travelled player at youth level, having also played in Germany as a youngster and did well early on for the Broncos but needed to wait until her third year here to really flourish. Turned into one of the region’s best midfielders as a junior, and also ended up being an unexpected offensive catalyst for the Broncos, leading the team with eight goals last season. Vass seemed to gain momentum as the season went along, with five of those eight tallies coming against WCC opposition. It will be interesting to see if the cultured midfielder ends up seeing her goal total dip if the club finds a solution up front after struggles there last year, though you have to figure Vass will still be a key offensive cog, regardless. International status makes her unlikely to stick in the NWSL, but European clubs will likely come calling if Vass can continue to make forward