[Hieronymus]

Starting a thread for the 2025 women’s team with a post focusing on the Frosh.

Roster: https://gostanford.com/sports/womens-soccer/roster

Caveats:
1. I am too cheap to pay for services like topdrawersoccer - though I find those rankings lacking anyway. But if anybody has access, please chime in.
2. There isn’t a lot of video out there for some players - I am especially surprised how little youth NT footage I could find for Nguyen and Tay.
3. Highlights for obvious reasons are only somewhat useful in evaluating players.
4. Even at the ECNL level, some of the play is very rough around the edges. High school tape is mostly useless since few top level girls play high school anymore.

Possible open positions for 2025 when evaluating the possible impact of the incoming Frosh.
1. GK
2. RB
3. Reserve outside back
4. Depending on Emri’s health, reserve CB
5. Depending on the health of Aikey and Thomas, reserve CF.
6. Reserve L/RF.
Midfield is an absolute logjam with very few minutes available sans injuries.
There are definitely fewer open position possibilities vs. the last 2 years; so I expect less impact this year from Frosh overall.

8 incoming players - 7th ranked class overall by topdrawersoccer.

1. Birkel, GK. Starter for the U20 USWNT which would make her probably the top goalie in the class. Likely starter this year, though we have seen basically nothing of the current reserves so who knows. Craig played all but 8 minutes last year.

2. Bray - is listed as an outside MF. Played for the USL-W (so semi-pro) with Salmon Bay as the youngest player on the team. Pretty impressed with her tape, and I could see her converting to RB this year and playing a lot of minutes or even starting. Very composed on the ball, and she showed some solid defending ability.

3. Freer - DM. A bit like Harvey - taller, lanky player at 5’8”. Very stay at home DM despite converting from forward. Also like Harvey, she can be a bit loose with the ball. No chance she displaces Bhuta, and it’s unlikely she plays a lot this year.

4. Harrison - F. I could find no tape, but she is the #8 player in a very deep California class. If she has good speed like her sister, she could find an important role as a reserve wide forward.

5. Holden- F or MF. She is listed as a MF in the services, but most of her tape is R/LF.  She looks to have decent speed and skill, but I wasn’t blown away. A lot of the video has high school tape which is hard to evaluate though; so I may be making a bad assessment here. She also likes to cut inside more then stay wide at forward. She won’t play much at MF, but options are open as a reserve forward.

6. Noe Johnson. MF.  Ranked as the 71st best player in California, but her tape is really interesting and one service noted she could be a major sleeper in the class. Tall (5’11”), fast and with solid skills. Played as an AM on the tape I saw, and she rampages a lot like Aikey from that position. No idea if she can be that good, but she could be really important either now or in a year or 2. She might also be able to backup at CF with her size.

7. Y-Lan Nguyen - MF. A little small, but a better athlete than I expected. She has played for the USWNT youth teams at a couple of levels. Her skill level is just wow - and I was looking at 2 year old tape. Beautiful control, excellent passing and accurate shooting. If she can hold up physically at the NCAA level, MF is going to be a mess to sort out.

8. Alex Tay - CB. Plays for the Ghana youth national teams, and I just couldn’t find much on You Tube surprisingly. If Emri is healthy, she is likely only a backup this year, but after all of the CB injuries last year, even more depth would be a very good thing.

[Hieronymus]

Starting a thread for the 2025 women’s team with a post focusing on the Frosh.

Roster: https://gostanford.com/sports/womens-soccer/roster

Caveats:
1. I am too cheap to pay for services like topdrawersoccer - though I find those rankings lacking anyway. But if anybody has access, please chime in.
2. There isn’t a lot of video out there for some players - I am especially surprised how little youth NT footage I could find for Nguyen and Tay.
3. Highlights for obvious reasons are only somewhat useful in evaluating players.
4. Even at the ECNL level, some of the play is very rough around the edges. High school tape is mostly useless since few top level girls play high school anymore.

Possible open positions for 2025 when evaluating the possible impact of the incoming Frosh.
1. GK
2. RB
3. Reserve outside back
4. Depending on Emri’s health, reserve CB
5. Depending on the health of Aikey and Thomas, reserve CF.
6. Reserve L/RF.
Midfield is an absolute logjam with very few minutes available sans injuries.
There are definitely fewer open position possibilities vs. the last 2 years; so I expect less impact this year from Frosh overall.

8 incoming players - 7th ranked class overall by topdrawersoccer.

1. Birkel, GK. Starter for the U20 USWNT which would make her probably the top goalie in the class. Likely starter this year, though we have seen basically nothing of the current reserves so who knows. Craig played all but 8 minutes last year.

2. Bray - is listed as an outside MF. Played for the USL-W (so semi-pro) with Salmon Bay as the youngest player on the team. Pretty impressed with her tape, and I could see her converting to RB this year and playing a lot of minutes or even starting. Very composed on the ball, and she showed some solid defending ability.

3. Freer - DM. A bit like Harvey - taller, lanky player at 5’8”. Very stay at home DM despite converting from forward. Also like Harvey, she can be a bit loose with the ball. No chance she displaces Bhuta, and it’s unlikely she plays a lot this year.

4. Harrison - F. I could find no tape, but she is the #8 player in a very deep California class. If she has good speed like her sister, she could find an important role as a reserve wide forward.

5. Holden- F or MF. She is listed as a MF in the services, but most of her tape is R/LF.  She looks to have decent speed and skill, but I wasn’t blown away. A lot of the video has high school tape which is hard to evaluate though; so I may be making a bad assessment here. She also likes to cut inside more then stay wide at forward. She won’t play much at MF, but options are open as a reserve forward.

6. Noe Johnson. MF.  Ranked as the 71st best player in California, but her tape is really interesting and one service noted she could be a major sleeper in the class. Tall (5’11”), fast and with solid skills. Played as an AM on the tape I saw, and she rampages a lot like Aikey from that position. No idea if she can be that good, but she could be really important either now or in a year or 2. She might also be able to backup at CF with her size.

7. Y-Lan Nguyen - MF. A little small, but a better athlete than I expected. She has played for the USWNT youth teams at a couple of levels. Her skill level is just wow - and I was looking at 2 year old tape. Beautiful control, excellent passing and accurate shooting. If she can hold up physically at the NCAA level, MF is going to be a mess to sort out.

8. Alex Tay - CB. Plays for the Ghana youth national teams, and I just couldn’t find much on You Tube surprisingly. If Emri is healthy, she is likely only a backup this year, but after all of the CB injuries last year, even more depth would be a very good thing.

[BobK]

Thanks. Appreciate your analysis. The recruiting class was ranked 7 before Harrison. So maybe a bit higher.

[BobK]

Thanks. Appreciate your analysis. The recruiting class was ranked 7 before Harrison. So maybe a bit higher.

[Jamesy]

From what I hear, Birkel will be the only frosh starter, at least at the beginning of the season barring injury.

[Jamesy]

From what I hear, Birkel will be the only frosh starter, at least at the beginning of the season barring injury.

[Hieronymus]

From what I hear, Birkel will be the only frosh starter, at least at the beginning of the season barring injury.

RB is the only other truly “open” position beyond GK as noted above; so that wouldn’t surprise. 

Frosh obviously grow into the season, and the team has a lot of history with them emerging as starters halfway or 2/3 into the season.

RB will be very interesting to watch. The team only has 3 true outside backs on the roster - both Smiths and Boamah. Evans played wide at the start of her career and I think Emri could play there based on her youth soccer days; but outside back is really thin, and I much prefer Emri and Evans at CB.

Either the formation changes to a 3 back, or somebody(s) is/are getting a position change.

[Hieronymus]

From what I hear, Birkel will be the only frosh starter, at least at the beginning of the season barring injury.

RB is the only other truly “open” position beyond GK as noted above; so that wouldn’t surprise. 

Frosh obviously grow into the season, and the team has a lot of history with them emerging as starters halfway or 2/3 into the season.

RB will be very interesting to watch. The team only has 3 true outside backs on the roster - both Smiths and Boamah. Evans played wide at the start of her career and I think Emri could play there based on her youth soccer days; but outside back is really thin, and I much prefer Emri and Evans at CB.

Either the formation changes to a 3 back, or somebody(s) is/are getting a position change.

[OCcardinal]

From what I hear, Birkel will be the only frosh starter, at least at the beginning of the season barring injury.

RB is the only other truly “open” position beyond GK as noted above; so that wouldn’t surprise. 

Frosh obviously grow into the season, and the team has a lot of history with them emerging as starters halfway or 2/3 into the season.

RB will be very interesting to watch. The team only has 3 true outside backs on the roster - both Smiths and Boamah. Evans played wide at the start of her career and I think Emri could play there based on her youth soccer days; but outside back is really thin, and I much prefer Emri and Evans at CB.

Either the formation changes to a 3 back, or somebody(s) is/are getting a position change.

Bhuta played outside back her freshman year quite a bit (including in the College Cup).  But I much perfer her at midfield. By the way Bhuta just graduated (early enrollee + 2 years).  She announced on Instagram she is not done "yet" and will be returning this year as a grad student.  Jasmine Aikey and Elise Evans also both graduated (in 3 years), but are both on the 2025 roster, so it seems both will return as grad students for their final year (unless they decide to turn pro). 

As for Ava Harrison, I'm familiar with her here in So Cal.  She's the top player for the San Diego Surf (the brobdingnagian and highly renown San Diego soccer club that Catarina Macario played for). I have high expectations for her.  She's a great get and I think she has a higher up side than her sister. (BTW, Nya signed a short term deal with the Wave this season, but I don't think she has played.)

[OCcardinal]

From what I hear, Birkel will be the only frosh starter, at least at the beginning of the season barring injury.

RB is the only other truly “open” position beyond GK as noted above; so that wouldn’t surprise. 

Frosh obviously grow into the season, and the team has a lot of history with them emerging as starters halfway or 2/3 into the season.

RB will be very interesting to watch. The team only has 3 true outside backs on the roster - both Smiths and Boamah. Evans played wide at the start of her career and I think Emri could play there based on her youth soccer days; but outside back is really thin, and I much prefer Emri and Evans at CB.

Either the formation changes to a 3 back, or somebody(s) is/are getting a position change.

Bhuta played outside back her freshman year quite a bit (including in the College Cup).  But I much perfer her at midfield. By the way Bhuta just graduated (early enrollee + 2 years).  She announced on Instagram she is not done "yet" and will be returning this year as a grad student.  Jasmine Aikey and Elise Evans also both graduated (in 3 years), but are both on the 2025 roster, so it seems both will return as grad students for their final year (unless they decide to turn pro). 

As for Ava Harrison, I'm familiar with her here in So Cal.  She's the top player for the San Diego Surf (the brobdingnagian and highly renown San Diego soccer club that Catarina Macario played for). I have high expectations for her.  She's a great get and I think she has a higher up side than her sister. (BTW, Nya signed a short term deal with the Wave this season, but I don't think she has played.)

[OCcardinal]

5. Holden- F or MF. She is listed as a MF in the services, but most of her tape is R/LF.  She looks to have decent speed and skill, but I wasn’t blown away. A lot of the video has high school tape which is hard to evaluate though; so I may be making a bad assessment here. She also likes to cut inside more then stay wide at forward. She won’t play much at MF, but options are open as a reserve forward.

Brooke Holden just earned the Women's Premiere Soccer League National Offensive Player of the Week Award (after scoring 6 goals in 3 games). She is the overall leading scorer in the WPSL So Cal Conference with 12 goals. #2 is Long Beach State's rising senior Cherrie Cox (a former Big West Offensive Player of the Year) with 10 goals. Prep Soccer has Holden as only the #25-ranked player in California and Top Drawer Soccer has her as only a 3 star. May be underrated.

---

7. Y-Lan Nguyen - MF. A little small, but a better athlete than I expected. She has played for the USWNT youth teams at a couple of levels. Her skill level is just wow - and I was looking at 2 year old tape. Beautiful control, excellent passing and accurate shooting. If she can hold up physically at the NCAA level, MF is going to be a mess to sort out.

I was doing some research on Nguyen and saw she was selected as the United Soccer Coaches National Girls Player of the Year for 2024. Only 1 player earns that designation: 2024 Players of the Year Across All Levels  Nguyen also started for Team USA and played 85 minutes vs Spain in the U-17 World Cup last October. Can't wait to see what she does on the Farm.

It's probably been mentioned, but Jordyn Bugg was originally a member of this class but she signed with the Seattle Reign instead (and already has a couple caps with the US U-23 team). Crazy to think that, had they not turned pro, this year's team would have both Thompson sisters and Bugg.

[OCcardinal]

5. Holden- F or MF. She is listed as a MF in the services, but most of her tape is R/LF.  She looks to have decent speed and skill, but I wasn’t blown away. A lot of the video has high school tape which is hard to evaluate though; so I may be making a bad assessment here. She also likes to cut inside more then stay wide at forward. She won’t play much at MF, but options are open as a reserve forward.

Brooke Holden just earned the Women's Premiere Soccer League National Offensive Player of the Week Award (after scoring 6 goals in 3 games). She is the overall leading scorer in the WPSL So Cal Conference with 12 goals. #2 is Long Beach State's rising senior Cherrie Cox (a former Big West Offensive Player of the Year) with 10 goals. Prep Soccer has Holden as only the #25-ranked player in California and Top Drawer Soccer has her as only a 3 star. May be underrated.

---

7. Y-Lan Nguyen - MF. A little small, but a better athlete than I expected. She has played for the USWNT youth teams at a couple of levels. Her skill level is just wow - and I was looking at 2 year old tape. Beautiful control, excellent passing and accurate shooting. If she can hold up physically at the NCAA level, MF is going to be a mess to sort out.

I was doing some research on Nguyen and saw she was selected as the United Soccer Coaches National Girls Player of the Year for 2024. Only 1 player earns that designation: 2024 Players of the Year Across All Levels  Nguyen also started for Team USA and played 85 minutes vs Spain in the U-17 World Cup last October. Can't wait to see what she does on the Farm.

It's probably been mentioned, but Jordyn Bugg was originally a member of this class but she signed with the Seattle Reign instead (and already has a couple caps with the US U-23 team). Crazy to think that, had they not turned pro, this year's team would have both Thompson sisters and Bugg.

[Sakibomb25]

From what I hear, Birkel will be the only frosh starter, at least at the beginning of the season barring injury.

RB is the only other truly “open” position beyond GK as noted above; so that wouldn’t surprise. 

Frosh obviously grow into the season, and the team has a lot of history with them emerging as starters halfway or 2/3 into the season.

RB will be very interesting to watch. The team only has 3 true outside backs on the roster - both Smiths and Boamah. Evans played wide at the start of her career and I think Emri could play there based on her youth soccer days; but outside back is really thin, and I much prefer Emri and Evans at CB.

Either the formation changes to a 3 back, or somebody(s) is/are getting a position change.

Bhuta played outside back her freshman year quite a bit (including in the College Cup).  But I much perfer her at midfield. By the way Bhuta just graduated (early enrollee + 2 years).  She announced on Instagram she is not done "yet" and will be returning this year as a grad student.  Jasmine Aikey and Elise Evans also both graduated (in 3 years), but are both on the 2025 roster, so it seems both will return as grad students for their final year (unless they decide to turn pro). 

As for Ava Harrison, I'm familiar with her here in So Cal.  She's the top player for the San Diego Surf (the brobdingnagian and highly renown San Diego soccer club that Catarina Macario played for). I have high expectations for her.  She's a great get and I think she has a higher up side than her sister. (BTW, Nya signed a short term deal with the Wave this season, but I don't think she has played.)

Evans is definitely coming back, as she indicated in her IG graduation post. Aikey also had a graduation post, but she never indicated if she was returning (like Bhuta and Evans)... here's hoping she does!

[Sakibomb25]

From what I hear, Birkel will be the only frosh starter, at least at the beginning of the season barring injury.

RB is the only other truly “open” position beyond GK as noted above; so that wouldn’t surprise. 

Frosh obviously grow into the season, and the team has a lot of history with them emerging as starters halfway or 2/3 into the season.

RB will be very interesting to watch. The team only has 3 true outside backs on the roster - both Smiths and Boamah. Evans played wide at the start of her career and I think Emri could play there based on her youth soccer days; but outside back is really thin, and I much prefer Emri and Evans at CB.

Either the formation changes to a 3 back, or somebody(s) is/are getting a position change.

Bhuta played outside back her freshman year quite a bit (including in the College Cup).  But I much perfer her at midfield. By the way Bhuta just graduated (early enrollee + 2 years).  She announced on Instagram she is not done "yet" and will be returning this year as a grad student.  Jasmine Aikey and Elise Evans also both graduated (in 3 years), but are both on the 2025 roster, so it seems both will return as grad students for their final year (unless they decide to turn pro). 

As for Ava Harrison, I'm familiar with her here in So Cal.  She's the top player for the San Diego Surf (the brobdingnagian and highly renown San Diego soccer club that Catarina Macario played for). I have high expectations for her.  She's a great get and I think she has a higher up side than her sister. (BTW, Nya signed a short term deal with the Wave this season, but I don't think she has played.)

Evans is definitely coming back, as she indicated in her IG graduation post. Aikey also had a graduation post, but she never indicated if she was returning (like Bhuta and Evans)... here's hoping she does!

[OCcardinal]

Evans is definitely coming back, as she indicated in her IG graduation post. Aikey also had a graduation post, but she never indicated if she was returning (like Bhuta and Evans)... here's hoping she does!

That's great news.  I missed Evans' post.  Aikey published an essay last month that sure sounded like she is coming back:

"watching my teammates go through that last, back half of the season and just grind away was really inspiring. I knew that the reason I came to Stanford was to win a national championship and I wanted one more go at it. I just wanted to give my best foot forward and that was what I was gonna do. I would do extra training with my dad, hit the weight room, anything I could to stay motivated. For me just putting in a little bit every single day and knowing that eventually I was going to get a big reward out of it was the driving factor to keep me focused. That’s the place I’m still at right now. Recovering and setting my sights on the season ahead. ...Even after all those injuries, I still love soccer.  I love the game. I love my team. I love Stanford.  And who knows, maybe next year we will add another national championship to the collection." Aikey Essay

[OCcardinal]

Evans is definitely coming back, as she indicated in her IG graduation post. Aikey also had a graduation post, but she never indicated if she was returning (like Bhuta and Evans)... here's hoping she does!

That's great news.  I missed Evans' post.  Aikey published an essay last month that sure sounded like she is coming back:

"watching my teammates go through that last, back half of the season and just grind away was really inspiring. I knew that the reason I came to Stanford was to win a national championship and I wanted one more go at it. I just wanted to give my best foot forward and that was what I was gonna do. I would do extra training with my dad, hit the weight room, anything I could to stay motivated. For me just putting in a little bit every single day and knowing that eventually I was going to get a big reward out of it was the driving factor to keep me focused. That’s the place I’m still at right now. Recovering and setting my sights on the season ahead. ...Even after all those injuries, I still love soccer.  I love the game. I love my team. I love Stanford.  And who knows, maybe next year we will add another national championship to the collection." Aikey Essay

[BobK]

The roster will help :)

https://gostanford.com/sports/womens-soccer/roster

[BobK]

The roster will help :)

https://gostanford.com/sports/womens-soccer/roster

[cardfan77]

Looks like Lumi is not returning for her final year of eligibility. Pianim looks like has transferred to USC

[cardfan77]

Looks like Lumi is not returning for her final year of eligibility. Pianim looks like has transferred to USC

[Sakibomb25]

Looks like Lumi is not returning for her final year of eligibility. Pianim looks like has transferred to USC

Interesting about Kostmayer - her IG bio still says Stanford ‘26. I wonder if she is done with soccer or will transfer elsewhere.

[Sakibomb25]

Looks like Lumi is not returning for her final year of eligibility. Pianim looks like has transferred to USC

Interesting about Kostmayer - her IG bio still says Stanford ‘26. I wonder if she is done with soccer or will transfer elsewhere.

[OCcardinal]

Looks like Lumi is not returning for her final year of eligibility. Pianim looks like has transferred to USC

Interesting about Kostmayer - her IG bio still says Stanford ‘26. I wonder if she is done with soccer or will transfer elsewhere.

I didn't realize Lumi Kostmayer graduated in 3 years too.  Maryn Wolf replied "I'm gonna miss you" to Lumi's graduation photo on IG so seems pretty clear she's gone.  And speaking of Maryn, her IG from 2 days ago shows her in a hospital bed with the caption "third times the charm". So looks like she just had surgery. I don't know what that means in terms of her availability this fall.

[OCcardinal]

Looks like Lumi is not returning for her final year of eligibility. Pianim looks like has transferred to USC

Interesting about Kostmayer - her IG bio still says Stanford ‘26. I wonder if she is done with soccer or will transfer elsewhere.

I didn't realize Lumi Kostmayer graduated in 3 years too.  Maryn Wolf replied "I'm gonna miss you" to Lumi's graduation photo on IG so seems pretty clear she's gone.  And speaking of Maryn, her IG from 2 days ago shows her in a hospital bed with the caption "third times the charm". So looks like she just had surgery. I don't know what that means in terms of her availability this fall.

[Hieronymus]

The roster will help :)

https://gostanford.com/sports/womens-soccer/roster

Thanks for posting the link - the 2025 roster going up was my trigger to start this thread, and I should have posted a link. And I was referencing the posted roster in my comments about RB….

[Hieronymus]

The roster will help :)

https://gostanford.com/sports/womens-soccer/roster

Thanks for posting the link - the 2025 roster going up was my trigger to start this thread, and I should have posted a link. And I was referencing the posted roster in my comments about RB….

[CompSci87]

The roster will help :)

https://gostanford.com/sports/womens-soccer/roster

Thanks for posting the link - the 2025 roster going up was my trigger to start this thread, and I should have posted a link. And I was referencing the posted roster in my comments about RB….

I've edited your post at the top of the thread to include the link. Good idea.

[CompSci87]

The roster will help :)

https://gostanford.com/sports/womens-soccer/roster

Thanks for posting the link - the 2025 roster going up was my trigger to start this thread, and I should have posted a link. And I was referencing the posted roster in my comments about RB….

I've edited your post at the top of the thread to include the link. Good idea.

[Jamesy]

Looks like Lumi is not returning for her final year of eligibility. Pianim looks like has transferred to USC

Interesting about Kostmayer - her IG bio still says Stanford ‘26. I wonder if she is done with soccer or will transfer elsewhere.

Kostmayer is transferring. Aikey will be back this fall.

[Jamesy]

Looks like Lumi is not returning for her final year of eligibility. Pianim looks like has transferred to USC

Interesting about Kostmayer - her IG bio still says Stanford ‘26. I wonder if she is done with soccer or will transfer elsewhere.

Kostmayer is transferring. Aikey will be back this fall.

[Spiny_Norman]

Kostmayer is transferring.

I will remember this moment for a long time. Kostmayer's game winner at 0:03 at Louisville last year.

https://youtu.be/iK6n5HIzbkc?si=kzWx0IifcuRRnZlG&t=83

[Spiny_Norman]

Kostmayer is transferring.

I will remember this moment for a long time. Kostmayer's game winner at 0:03 at Louisville last year.

https://youtu.be/iK6n5HIzbkc?si=kzWx0IifcuRRnZlG&t=83

[PalmTree]

Kostmayer is transferring.

I will remember this moment for a long time. Kostmayer's game winner at 0:03 at Louisville last year.

https://youtu.be/iK6n5HIzbkc?si=kzWx0IifcuRRnZlG&t=83

I just watched this again earlier today as well, along with some of her other highlights from this season - we'll miss her for sure, but congrats to her for a great season and career, and for finishing her degree early.

[PalmTree]

Kostmayer is transferring.

I will remember this moment for a long time. Kostmayer's game winner at 0:03 at Louisville last year.

https://youtu.be/iK6n5HIzbkc?si=kzWx0IifcuRRnZlG&t=83

I just watched this again earlier today as well, along with some of her other highlights from this season - we'll miss her for sure, but congrats to her for a great season and career, and for finishing her degree early.

[OCcardinal]

This may be the wrong thread to post this, but Stanford Women's Soccer got a terrific verbal commitment for its 2027 Class a few days ago.  Vienna Whipple, arguably the top defender in her class, has everything you'd want in a center defender. She's 5'11" (though height's not everything - Girma is 5'6"), great defensive instincts and speed, plus tons of experience with US Youth National Teams.  She's so good I just hope she still plans to play college soccer by the time she graduates.

This month also saw the verbal commitment of 2027 goalkeeper Brooke Volpp to Stanford. She is at or near the top of the 2027 goalkeepers. Stanford is really becoming goalkeeper U!

Also, the first preview I've seen of the 2025 season has Stanford improving from its #4 finish last year: 2025 NCAA Women's Soccer Preview.  Three College Cups in a row would be outstanding. Stanford did that in 2017-2019 and also had a 5 year streak from 2008-2012. It made the finals in 6 of those 8 appearances and earned 3 championships (2011, 2017, 2019).

[OCcardinal]

This may be the wrong thread to post this, but Stanford Women's Soccer got a terrific verbal commitment for its 2027 Class a few days ago.  Vienna Whipple, arguably the top defender in her class, has everything you'd want in a center defender. She's 5'11" (though height's not everything - Girma is 5'6"), great defensive instincts and speed, plus tons of experience with US Youth National Teams.  She's so good I just hope she still plans to play college soccer by the time she graduates.

This month also saw the verbal commitment of 2027 goalkeeper Brooke Volpp to Stanford. She is at or near the top of the 2027 goalkeepers. Stanford is really becoming goalkeeper U!

Also, the first preview I've seen of the 2025 season has Stanford improving from its #4 finish last year: 2025 NCAA Women's Soccer Preview.  Three College Cups in a row would be outstanding. Stanford did that in 2017-2019 and also had a 5 year streak from 2008-2012. It made the finals in 6 of those 8 appearances and earned 3 championships (2011, 2017, 2019).

[Sakibomb25]

Kostmayer is transferring.

I will remember this moment for a long time. Kostmayer's game winner at 0:03 at Louisville last year.

https://youtu.be/iK6n5HIzbkc?si=kzWx0IifcuRRnZlG&t=83

According to her IG bio, she's going to Cal to finish out her NCAA career.

[Sakibomb25]

Kostmayer is transferring.

I will remember this moment for a long time. Kostmayer's game winner at 0:03 at Louisville last year.

https://youtu.be/iK6n5HIzbkc?si=kzWx0IifcuRRnZlG&t=83

According to her IG bio, she's going to Cal to finish out her NCAA career.

[Hieronymus]

Kostmayer is transferring.

I will remember this moment for a long time. Kostmayer's game winner at 0:03 at Louisville last year.

https://youtu.be/iK6n5HIzbkc?si=kzWx0IifcuRRnZlG&t=83

According to her IG bio, she's going to Cal to finish out her NCAA career.

Good for her. She had a few key moments over the years, but she never fit well with the teams’s style. Somehow she would often get stranded up front with no support nearby, and for whatever reason that didn’t happen nearly as much with Aikey/Themas/Klinger up front. And Lumi couldn’t consistently hold the ball long enough for support to arrive. I hope Kal is a better fit for her.

[Hieronymus]

Kostmayer is transferring.

I will remember this moment for a long time. Kostmayer's game winner at 0:03 at Louisville last year.

https://youtu.be/iK6n5HIzbkc?si=kzWx0IifcuRRnZlG&t=83

According to her IG bio, she's going to Cal to finish out her NCAA career.

Good for her. She had a few key moments over the years, but she never fit well with the teams’s style. Somehow she would often get stranded up front with no support nearby, and for whatever reason that didn’t happen nearly as much with Aikey/Themas/Klinger up front. And Lumi couldn’t consistently hold the ball long enough for support to arrive. I hope Kal is a better fit for her.