9 Top NCAA Forwards to Watch Out For This Season

Every team needs a great striker to win games. No matter how great defense and goalkeeping might be, or having a strong midfield, if there’s no quality strike to put the ball in the net, it’s impossible to win and succeed over long periods. It’s why the strikers get the most attention and end up bringing the highest price tags. Their value, more often than not, is higher than others. The college level is a great place to find a top-notch striker who can make a splash at the next level. These top NCAA forwards are some of the best to watch out for, not just this season but for years to come. 

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Messiah Bright – Texas Christian University (TCU), Graduate Student

First on our NCAA forwards list is Messiah Bright. Bright is one of the best strikers in the country for the last two years and is one of the main reasons TCU has been the best team in the Big 12 in recent years.

Bright scored 17 goals last year and already has seven goals as the Horned Frogs head into conference play. As a graduate student, her added experience makes her the most important player TCU has to their success this season.

TCU is up to No. 12 in the rankings and will creep back into the Top 10 as long as Messiah Bright keeps scoring. 

71' GOOOOAAAAALLLL!

Messiah Bright ties the game with her second goal of the night! TCU makes it a 2-2 contest. #GoFrogs | @messiah_bright pic.twitter.com/VYp6Izkqk4

— TCU Soccer (@TCUSoccer) September 18, 2022

 

Michelle Cooper – Duke University, Sophomore

Duke has remained in the Top 5 of the rankings for most of the season, and one of their stars on offense is Michelle Cooper. The U-20 USWNT member was one of the best freshmen in the country and just featured at the U-20 World Cup for the United States.

To be named ACC Freshman of the Year is a tremendous honor, considering how talent-rich the conference is. This year Cooper already has seven goals and three assists, including a two-goal game with an assist against TCU.

Duke has been and will continue to be one of the premier programs, and when the NCAA Tournament rolls around, Michelle Cooper will be one of the best players on display. 

THERE IT IS! 🇺🇸🤩

Michelle Cooper scores the first goal for the @USYNT in the U-20 FIFA Women's World Cup! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/Jc85BtShs6

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) August 11, 2022

 

Nicole Douglas – Arizona State University, Graduate Student

Nicole Douglas is one of the best strikers in the country that no one knows about. The Brit from London had a breakout campaign last year, leading the nation with 19 goals, and already has nine goals this season.

Overall, Douglas has 55 goals in her career with still half the season to go. In addition, Douglas is the first Arizona State player to be named an All-American since 2002, which speaks to what she means for the Sun Devils program.

Whether she chooses to stay in America or go back home to England as a professional, you will see her scoring goals somewhere at the pro level without a doubt. 

40' FIRST HALF HAT TRICK FOR @Nicoledouglasss 🎩 ⚽️

With that goal, Dougie is ASU's career leader in points with 126 🔱😈⚽️

ASU 4 /// GSU 0#ForksUp /// #O2V pic.twitter.com/Aycdwj1Xq1

— Sun Devil Soccer (@SunDevilSoccer) September 15, 2022

 

Penelope Hocking – Penn State University, Graduate Student

Penelope Hocking decided to go back to college for another season instead of going pro. Not only that, she’s the all-time leading goal scorer in USC history but chose to transfer to Penn State for her last year of eligibility.

The Nittany Lions are known for producing top-notch defenders but adding an offense star like Hocking has helped them tremendously. Penn State just handed No. 4 Rutgers their first loss of the season. Hocking and the Nittany Lions will stake their claim as the best team in the Big 10.

The striker has modest numbers this season, but she’s too talented to stay at two goals this season. She should feast against other Big 10 competitors. 

 

Beata Olsson – Florida State University, Junior

Beata Olsson changed the game for Florida State last year en route to their National Championship. The transfer from Florida led the Seminoles with 14 goals scored and continues to be a key piece for them in the attack.

Jenna Nighswonger’s move into the midfield has led to a slight decrease in Olsson’s overall production. However, all their opponents know they have to gameplan for stopping Olsson first; otherwise, Beating Florida State will be a tough task for anyone. The Seminoles are looking to go back-to-back, and Olsson’s play will be a big factor in how their season unfolds. 

 

Anna Podojil – University of Arkansas, Senior

Arkansas has been a premier program in the SEC over the last decade, and Anna Podojil is one of our NCAA forwards who has taken the program to new heights.

With 16 goals scored last year, teams have really come out with the intent of slowing her down. Through eight games, the senior has four goals and two assists but should pick things up with conference play kicking off.

The Razorbacks had a huge showdown with South Carolina, and now Arkansas is in the driver’s seat for the SEC regular season title. Podojil will be a top draft pick next season if she enters her name into the 2023 NWSL Draft. 

Anna Podojil's 41 career goals rank fifth-most among active DI college soccer players.

Her 107 points also rank fifth-most among active DI college soccer players. pic.twitter.com/PE8kJAa2cl

— Razorback Communications (@RazorbackComms) September 21, 2022

 

Jaida Thomas – University of Tennessee, Junior

Tennessee’s season isn’t exactly going as they would have hoped, having fallen out of the Top 25 and taking a tough loss to Alabama. However, this team is still loaded with talent, and a strong finish should secure an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament.

Jaida Thomas is one of their best and has a knack for scoring goals. With 12 goals as a freshman, followed by 13 goals last year, and already up to eight goals this season, Thomas is on pace to get to 15 goals or more.

The Volunteers need to keep getting Thomas the ball and let her work her magic in front of the goal if they want to live up to their expectations from the beginning of the year. 

Jaida Thomas (@jaidat_6) scored her 30th career goal tonight. She now has the third most goals all-time for @Vol_Soccer. Head coach Joe Kirt explains how much the junior means to the program. #LadyVols pic.twitter.com/A5fkZ2nm5a

— Reece Van Haaften (@Reece_VH) September 5, 2022

 

Riley Tiernan – Rutgers University, Sophomore

The last name Tiernan might sound familiar, and that’s because her sister Madison is a former NWSL player and current assistant coach at Rutgers. It all runs in the family as Riley is the next in line to play at Rutgers and have a potential pro career.

Tiernan’s role as a striker is unique because she’s not after scoring all the goals like most forwards are. Last year she looked more like a midfielder with eight goals and 13 assists. This year seems more similar, with one goal and six assists.

Rutgers just suffered their first season loss to Penn State, but after last year’s tournament run, this team is still Top 3 in the Big 10. They’re going to be a Top 25 team the rest of the way, and Riley Tiernan will naturally be playing a big role for the Scarlet Knights with more conference play on the horizon. 

 

Tori Waldeck – Pepperdine University, Junior

Last on our list of NCAA forwards is Tori Waldeck. Waldeck and Pepperdine are in one of their most successful periods as a program. After just breaking into the Top 10 season, the Waves bring back most of their stars and find themselves in the same position.

Tori Waldeck has done a little bit of everything for this team. She’s more than just a goal scorer. She brings balance. Waldeck posted a solid nine goals and ten assists last year and has four goals and two assists so far this season.

Their matchup against UCLA didn’t go well but looking at their schedule, Waldeck will have a chance to put up some big numbers in the WCC while still playing premier competition like BYU and Portland this season. 

 

Featured image via @ncaasoccer and @tcuwsoccer on Instagram

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