Insider Look: Big Ten Women’s Soccer in 2025

The Big Ten Conference is cementing its place as a women's soccer powerhouse in 2025. All eight teams ranked in the preseason top 25 made the NCAA Tournament last season and secured at least one postseason victory. Let's take a look at the conference and its top contenders.

A Conference Built on Strength 

The Big Ten is positioned to raise the bar in 2025. The conference's eight preseason ranked teams represent a mix of seasoned winners and rising programs, each hungry to prove themselves on the national stage. They include: 

• USC (No. 5) 
• UCLA (No. 8) 
• Penn State (No. 11) 
• Michigan State (No. 12) 
• Iowa (No. 13) 
• Ohio State (No. 18) 
• Wisconsin (No. 23) 
• Minnesota (No. 24) 

Collectively, these teams embody what makes the Big Ten so exciting: top teams going head-to-head with hardware on the line. 

(You can also see the conference's preseason rankings here ). 

USC: Leading the Pack 

USC kicks off the season ranked No. 5 nationally after a historic 2024 season where it captured its first-ever Big Ten regular season championship. Undefeated in 2024 conference play (10-0-1), the Trojans enter 2025 as the Big Ten's preseason favorite.  

Though they’ll be adjusting to the departure of their top five scorers, the Trojans have a deep roster ready to step up.  

• Junior Maribel Flores, who played for Mexico at the U20 World Cup last season, will lead the attack 
• 2024 Big Ten All-Freshman Team standout Faith George is positioned to make a jump in her sophomore campaign after recording three assists in her first five collegiate games 
• After advancing to the Elite 8 last season, the Trojans are well-situated for another deep run. They're seeking their first NCAA title since 2016 

USC opens its season with six straight home games. See the Trojans' full schedule . 

UCLA: Tournament Champions on the Rise 

At No. 8 in the national rankings, UCLA is ready to build on its Big Ten Tournament title from last season. The Bruins, who captured the 2022 NCAA Championship, are a team stacked with talent and experience: 

• Lexi Wright, a top offensive threat, was third on the team in goals and points in 2023 prior to redshirting last season  
• The Bruins have bolstered their squad with transfer Jennie Immethun from TCU. She led the Horned Frogs to seven shutouts last year as a second team All-Big 12 defender 
• Senior Emma Egizii is back after recovering from a season-ending injury in 2024 

The Bruins have tough matchups on their schedule, including No. 13 Iowa, No. 23 Wisconsin, and crosstown rival No. 5 USC. See UCLA's full 2025 schedule . 

Penn State: Rich Tradition, Bright Future 

Ranked No. 11, Penn State continues to be a perennial contender under head coach Erica Dambach, who is entering her 19th season with the Nittany Lions.  

With a storied history that includes a fifteen-year Big Ten title streak, the Nittany Lions are hungry for their first NCAA Championship since 2015 after reaching the Elite 8 last season. 

• Kaitlyn MacBean, a 2024 All-American and All-Big Ten First Team selection, is the conference’s top returning goal scorer and points leader 
• Aubrey Kulpa, who was second on the team with seven goals last year, will be key to Penn State’s success  
• The Nittany Lions will look to Molly Martin (midfielder) and Amelia White (forward) to rise up and fill gaps after last year's departures 

With a history of excellence and a proven track record, Penn State is poised for another stellar campaign, starting with a clash with No. 4 Duke. See the Nittany Lions' full schedule . 

Rising Stars Across the Conference 

Several talented players across the league are ready to make their mark, including:

• Maggie Illig (Michigan State, No. 12): An All-Big Ten performer who has been key to the Spartan defense 
• Millie Greer (Iowa, No. 13): A defensive anchor who helped Iowa secure 12 shutouts in 2024 
• Amanda Schlueter (Ohio State, No. 18): A dynamic playmaker with 10 goals and a conference-leading 12 assists last season 
• Hailey Baumann (Wisconsin, No. 23): A 2024 All-Big Ten selection who was called up to the U.S. U19 and U20 Youth National Team camps 
• Paige Kalal (Minnesota, No. 24): A creative midfielder who had 10 assists in 2024, key to Minnesota’s attack 

Check out the Big Ten’s preseason poll and a full list of players to watch this fall. 

The 2025 Season Kicks Off 

The Big Ten women’s soccer season starts on Thursday, August 14, with exciting opening matchups: No. 11 Penn State takes on No. 4 Duke, while No. 13 Iowa faces No. 6 Arkansas. ( Full conference schedule here ). 

The Big Ten will have a handful of national contenders through the 2025 season. The question isn’t whether these teams will win—it’s just how far they’ll go. 

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