The 2024 DI women's soccer season is underway with fresh faces in the mix, ready to embark on their college careers. Florida State, Stanford, BYU, Penn State and Clemson are the top 5 teams in the preseason United Soccer Coaches poll. Here is a look at a freshman from each of these contending teams that could make a big impact in the 2024 season:
Taylor Suarez (F) | Florida State
The two-time North Carolina Gatorade Player of the Year brings a new dimension to the reigning national champions’ front line. Taylor Suarez, who will be abroad for a portion of the season as she represents the U.S. in the U-20 FIFA Women’s World Cup, netted the fifth goal in FSU's 5-0 season-opening win over South Florida on Aug. 15. The Charlotte native finished her high school career with 73 goals and 59 assists, which she achieved between call ups to the 2022 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup and 2022 U-17 Concacaf Championship. Suarez was a key player for the U.S. in both tournaments, scoring twice in the CONCACAF final and providing the most assists in the championship. Her ability to not only score goals but also set up goal-scoring opportunities makes her a lethal addition to an already dangerous Seminole front line.
The two-time North Carolina Gatorade Player of the Year is coming to Tallahassee🍢
— FSU Soccer (@FSUSoccer) November 8, 2023
Welcome Taylor Suarez to our Nole Family#OneTribe pic.twitter.com/OTer4V4FfO
Charlotte Kohler ( M/F) | Stanford
Among the nine freshmen added to the Cardinal roster, Kohler has made an early impact, scoring the game's lone goal in a season-opening win against San Francisco and picking up a header finish in a preseason exhibition match. Wearing the number 10 on her jersey, the attacking midfielder brings a high soccer IQ gained through her international experience with the U-17 and U-19 U.S. national teams. Kohler’s ability to read the field and anticipate plays has already proven impactful to the Cardinal attack and will only grow as she fights for a position in the starting lineup.
🗓️ SCHEDULE: Checkout scores and stats throughout the 2024 DI women's soccer season
Presley Freeman (D) | BYU
Out of the 11 freshmen added to BYU’s roster, Freeman sticks out as a solid force in the backline after starting in the Cougars' season opener against No. 19 Wisconsin and helping the team to a shutout after going up 1-0 early on. In a preseason exhibition match, Freeman showed her versatility on the wing, tallying a shot that went just wide of the net. The Cougars, who are known to capitalize on counterattack moments, will make good use of Freeman’s end-to-end capabilities in their pursuit of a third College Cup appearance.
Aubrey Kulpa (F) | Penn State
Coming into a top-tier team as a freshman can be tough especially when there’s 10 others in your class and 36 total on the roster. Connecticut native Aubrey Kulpa, though, knows how to take hold of an opportunity. The dynamic forward solidified her name in the stats sheet in Penn State’s season opener against No. 8 Texas Tech, coming off the bench to score the final goal in the 4-0 win. The expertly-placed ball into the side netting is indicative of Kulpa’s calmness in the box and could be a sign for more goals to come.
Celebrating the start of the second half with our FOURTH GOAL from the first... It's a party on Park Ave.
— Penn State Women’s Soccer (@PennStateWSOC) August 16, 2024
START OF 2H | PSU 4, TTU 0#WeAre pic.twitter.com/oSAE1XwHjS
Anna Castenfelt (M) | Clemson
This former Georgia commit is one out of four freshmen to join last year’s ACC championship runner-up squad who looks to make it back to the College Cup for a second time. Anna Castenfelt managed to make an impact off the bench, tallying three shots in Clemson’s season-opening loss at Auburn. The midfielder is no stranger to training at the highest level as she attended U.S. youth national camps in U-14, U-15 and U-17. The Tigers are up against a tough ACC schedule this season and Castenfelt’s expertise in the midfield will be put to the test.
