As the sun shines brightly over Cary, North Carolina, excitement is brewing for the upcoming NCAA women’s soccer season. With 64 teams set to compete for a chance at the College Cup, many squads are eyeing the coveted opportunity to battle for a national championship.
The reigning champions, Florida State, boast an impressive history, having made 14 appearances at the College Cup since its inception in 1982. However, they are not the record-holders; that title belongs to North Carolina, with an astounding 31 appearances.
This season, a fresh batch of contenders are making noise and the national spotlight could shine on a few teams looking for their first-ever trip to the College Cup. Let’s take a look at four promising squads.
The Georgia Bulldogs are riding high after an incredible 2023 season. They recently clinched their first SEC tournament championship and made it to the Round of 16 in the NCAA tournament. Even though star midfielder Croix Bethune has moved on to the NWSL, the Bulldogs return a strong squad, including all three top goal scorers and rising star Kiera Staude.
Meanwhile, the Pitt Panthers have their sights set on making history this season too. After an exciting 2023 season that saw the team reach the NCAA quarterfinals for the first time, they are ready to build on that momentum. They’ll kick off their season against Georgia and later face a rematch with the Seminoles.
Then, we have the Nebraska Huskers, who came so close to reaching the College Cup last year. With a strong core returning, including senior Sara Weber, they aim to go even further. Their early matchup against Duke will likely set the tone for their season.
Last but not least, the Saint Louis Billikens are looking to make a splash as well. With all-American Emily Gaebe returning to the lineup, they will face stiff competition against BYU and will be eager to avenge last year’s nail-biting defeat against Penn State.
As the anticipation builds, CARY awaits the thrill of the matches ahead. Each team hopes to find their rhythm and create their own paths to glory in the 2024 College Cup.
