The Big Ten is a large presence in NCAA soccer. Many of the conference’s teams have built dynasties and consistently appeared in the NCAA Tournament, and that isn’t likely to change this as several are considered national contenders.
The 2025 season is here, with many teams already beginning exhibition play and Penn State’s campaign kicking off in Durham, North Carolina on Thursday.
Here’s where each team ranks in one of the most dominant conferences in college soccer.
Tier 1: USC, UCLA, Penn State
The first tier showcases three teams that equally have a shot at the Big Ten championship, and squads that have each had their fair share of NCAA Tournament appearances.
USC finished with an 18-1-4 record last season, falling in the NCAA Tournament to Wake Forest on penalty kicks in the quarterfinals. The team is adding a recruiting class with nine players to an already stacked roster, despite the loss of its defensive backbone, Brooklyn Courtnall, who left to sign professionally with the NC Courage.
UCLA, meanwhile, were the 2024 Big Ten Tournament champions. While nine of the 2024 squad’s players left to play professionally, the Bruins’ recruiting class is full of USYNT players and they added three new transfers as well, leaving them as a top contender in the conference once again.
Penn State is predicted to make a strong NCAA Tournament run this season after making the quarterfinals last season despite losing five players to professional soccer. But they’re bringing in seven freshmen and four transfers to make up for the departures.
The Penn State Women’s Soccer team huddles up before the soccer game against Michigan at Jeffrey Field on Thursday, Sept. 19, 2019. Michigan defeated Penn State 1-0.
Samantha Wilson
Additionally, Kaitlyn MacBean, Molly Martin and Amelia White are expected to contribute heavily to the blue and white, as each were each named players to watch this season by the Big Ten.
Tier 2: Ohio State, Michigan State, Washington, Rutgers
Last year, Ohio State made it to the second round of the Big Ten Tournament before being knocked out by USC, but it’s ranked No. 18 in the United Soccer Coaches Preseason Top 25 Poll. That leaves some solid expectations for the Buckeyes, who beat Penn State 4-1 last season.
Michigan State has a large recruiting class of ten, and is also receiving two transfers including Kennedy Bell. The Maryland transfer started every game last season, and will be a junior when she joins the Spartans in the fall.
Rutgers has a long standing reputation of building strong recruiting classes. Coach Mike O’Neil signed eight young recruits to play for this year’s Scarlet Knights.
These four teams had solid records last season, and are each set to host brand new talent this coming fall, making them realistic contenders for Big Ten and NCAA Tournament runs.
Tier 3: Minnesota, Iowa, Purdue
Last season, Minnesota made the third round in the NCAA Tournament before falling to UNC. The Golden Gophers retooled, adding nine new recruits to the roster and several international transfers.
Iowa only appeared in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament last year before losing to Washington and prevailed to the third round of the NCAA Tournament.
The Hawkeyes have never won an NCAA title, however new additions have been made in an effort to improve their chances. The Hawkeyes gained Iba Oching, a defender from Syracuse, and Price Loposer, a defender from Mississippi State, to build a strong defensive line up.
Purdue finished last season conference play with only three wins. The Boilermakers were eliminated in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament by Wisconsink but they signed eight new players, including senior goalkeeper, Ally Lynch.
There are no extreme losses or gains within these teams, so they should have similar records to last season.
Tier 4: Wisconsin, Nebraska, Illinois
These three teams are just below those in tier three. They have room for improvement, but shouldn’t be expected to make big strides compared to other teams.
Wisconsin’s head coach, Paula Wilkins, is entering her 19th year of coaching the Badgers. Wisconsin concluded conference play last year with five wins but are hoping to improve on that with six new recruits.
Nebraska concluded conference play in 2024 with a record of 3-7-1, but the Cornhuskers are welcoming twelve add-ons to the team, including a goalie, three defenders, three forwards and five midfielders. With a multifaceted recruiting class, the team will have enforcements all over the field.
Illinois has three players named to the Big Ten Players to Watch list. This includes Izzy Lee, a senior goalkeeper, Sarah Foley, a senior forward and Emma Yee, a sophomore forward.
While the Fighting Illini only concluded last season with four wins, Foley and Yee were dominating forces on the offense, and should lead in the attacking third of the field this season.
The Penn State women’s soccer team huddles as head coach Erica Dambach gives a speech after the NCAA Tournament soccer game against Central Connecticut State at Jeffery Field on Friday Nov. 10, 2023 in University Park, Pa. The Nittany Lions won 7-0.
Jackson Ranger
Tier 5: Michigan, Maryland, Northwestern, Oregon, Indiana
Tier five’s teams have struggled in the Big Ten, as their losses constantly outweigh their wins and often have difficulty capitalizing offensively.
Michigan only recorded two conference wins last season. A huge factor of their struggle lies in their lack of ball control and injuries. In hopes to improve this coming season, the Wolverines have welcomed nine newcomers.
Maryland struggled within the conference last year, only recording one win. They mainly struggled offensively with an inability to finish or hold onto leads. It’s hard to imagine the Terrapins will make vast improvements to propel them upward.
Northwestern also recorded a single conference win throughout last season. The program hasn’t won a national championship and last won the Big Ten Championship in 2016. After losing star freshman defender Tanna Schornstein to USC, the Wildcats should expect more of the same.
Oregon recorded one win in the conference last year, only beating Maryland. Indiana, likewise, struggled in the conference, again, recording one win.
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