8 of the Best NCAA Midfielders to Watch in 2024
The 2024 class of NCAA midfielders is filled with a high level of talent, with multiple players set to go to the NWSL or Europe next season and beyond. These college stars also have a great chance to evolve into stars at the professional level. Here are eight of the best NCAA Midfielders to Watch in 2024.
Lexi Missimo – Texas, Senior
View this post on Instagram
We have to start this off with Lexi Missimo, a player who chose to come back for her senior season instead of entering the NWSL Draft or playing overseas. Her stats don’t lie, she’s clearly one of the best if not the best player in the nation this season. Missimo came into this season with 44 goals and 51 assists and already has seven goals and three assists through eight games this season.
The college superstar is picking up the slack for their other superstar who is injured, Trinity Byars. Missimo would’ve likely been the top pick or, at the minimum, a top-three pick if the draft were still in existence. Nonetheless, almost every NWSL club is sure to vie for her services next year. In the meantime, sit back and watch her destroy college competition for one more year. She’s a special player.
Jasmine Aikey – Stanford, Junior
View this post on Instagram
Jasmine Aikey isn’t far behind Missimo in terms of talent. Aikey was the Pac-12 Midfielder of the Year and a First-Team All-American. The former USYNT player was the main reason Stanford made it to the National Championship game last year, playing alongside Maya Doms. Aikey is leading the charge with 21 goals and 16 assists in her career so far, and she’s sure to reach the 20/20 plateau before the end of this season. With Stanford currently 8-0 and ranked No. 1 in the country, the hometown star, and the Cardinal are on a mission to win the national title after coming so close last year. Aikey will be the next big star out of Stanford. We have to enjoy and appreciate her while she’s still playing in college.
Taylor Huff – Florida State, Senior
View this post on Instagram
Taylor Huff has been one of the key transfers that Seminoles Head Coach Brian Pensky brought with him when he came from Tennessee. Huff has come in and lived up to the billing with high expectations at Florida State. The senior helped Florida State win the national title easily, and this season, she’s had to take up a bigger role within the team as a lot of players from last year’s team went pro. Huff has responded with six goals and four assists through six games. Hopefully injuries don’t bother her like they did last season, she’s a surefire First Team All-American if she plays the whole season.
Justina Gaynor – Michigan State, Senior
View this post on Instagram
Justina Gaynor might be one of the best midfielders you haven’t heard about despite winning Big 10 Midfielder of the Year and First Team All-Big 10. The Butler transfer was the centerpiece of a Michigan State team that made it to the third round of the NCAA Tournament for the first time in school history. Gaynor scored when her team needed her last year with six goals but dished out 12 assists, showing her ability to make her teammates around her better. This year, she already has two goals and four assists through eight games and is sure to catch the eye of some pro teams when she leaves East Lansing.
Shae Harvey – Stanford, Sophomore
View this post on Instagram
Jasmine Aikey’s running mate, Shae Harvey, is a future star to keep an eye on over the next few years. Harvey was a top-rated prospect coming out of high school and dazzled in her first season in college. As a first-year player, she was on the All-Pac-12 Freshman team, All-Pac-12 Third Team, and NCAA Championship All-Tournament Team with her play. Harvey is in more of a defensive role but is already making a name for herself at the collegiate level. You’re looking at a potential new No. 6 for the USWNT if she improves at each step of her career.
Danielle Davis – Clemson, Sophomore
View this post on Instagram
Dani Davis gave Clemson a huge boost last year as an incoming freshman for a team that made it to the Final Four. Davis dished out eight assists as a freshman, and she’s already got four assists in eight games this season. The Long Island high school star will surely be an All-ACC player for the Tigers this year. Clemson is off to a bit of a slow start, but they’re a good candidate to return to the rankings with a player like Davis who is creating tons of opportunities for her team.
Lia Godfrey – Virginia, Senior
View this post on Instagram
Lia Godfrey is one of the best midfielders in the country and was a First-Team All-American two years ago. Sadly, she missed all of last season due to injury, but make no mistake, Godfrey is the engine of Virginia’s team. Godfrey can do some of everything, with 15 goals and 26 assists throughout her career. It appears she’s still working her way back to full strength, as she only played 44 minutes in their recent loss to Wake Forest, but the Cavaliers are among the best in the nation and will compete for the ACC title. By the time Godfrey returns to full strength, she and this team will be feared come NCAA Tournament time.
Momo Nakao – Memphis, Senior
View this post on Instagram
The 2023 AAC Midfielder of the Year was a star for Memphis as they made it to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament last year. The Japanese midfielder is one of the more technically sound players in the country. Although Memphis lost their first game of the season to rival Tennessee, they will end up as a Top 10 team in the nation by season’s end. Nakao is not the flashiest player, but her production and impact have been steady for the last four years. The senior has two goals and three assists so far this season and is on pace to set career-highs in both categories. It might not happen overnight, but Momo Nakao is the kind of player you could see playing for the Japan national team in a major tournament one day.
Featured image via @stanfordwsoc on Instagram
_
GIRLS SOCCER NETWORK: YOUR SOURCE FOR GIRLS SOCCER NEWS
Girls Soccer Network
Your source for girls soccer news
