Top 5 College Soccer Players Right Now

College soccer, like many things, has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. To adjust, the NCAA chose to move the D1 Women’s Soccer Championship to the spring, allowing teams to play a fall and spring schedule for the 2020-21 season. 

Here are our top college soccer players that are playing spring games right now. 

Brianna Pinto – MF, North Carolina

Women’s soccer fans are no stranger to Brianna Pinto, who has been a star for the Tar Heels since stepping onto the field in Chapel Hill.

For the 2020-21 season, she has 11 goals and three assists in 15 games. Her first career hat trick came against Tennessee on March 27. She’s currently scored six goals in her last four games and has found the back of the net in seven of her last eight. 

Pinto starred for many youth USWNTs throughout her career. She earned her first senior national team call-up in 2017 at 16 years old. 

NWSL fans won’t have to wait too long to see Pinto take the field professionally. Pinto was the third overall pick in the 2021 NWSL Draft by Sky Blue FC. She’ll join Sky Blue after the conclusion of North Carolina’s spring season.

Sam Coffey – MF, Penn State

Coffey is a player that has found a ton of success throughout her college soccer career and this season has been no different. The senior is a big reason the Nittany Lions have an 8-1-1 record with their only loss coming in their first game to Rutgers. 

Before joining Penn State, Coffey spent two seasons at Boston College, where she scored 17 goals and had 24 assists. At Penn State, she has 17 goals and 17 assists. The midfielder has six goals and seven assists during the 2021 campaign.

The Portland Thorns selected her in the second round of the 2021 NWSL Draft. Frankly, it was a little surprising that she fell all the way to the second round so Portland fans lucked out and snagged a terrific player. Thorns fans will have to wait a bit to see her represent Rose City though, Coffey has decided to spend one more full season with Penn State; she won’t join the NWSL till the 2022 season. 

Amanda West – F, Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh is in a rebuilding stage. However, they have found some success this season and Amanda West is a big reason why. Her goalscoring capability has led Pittsburgh to a school-record 11 wins this season. 

The sophomore has already surpassed her goal total from last year with 13 goals and seven assists in 16 games this season. Her 13 goals are the most by a Pittsburgh player this season and tied for second in the NCAA.

Mikayla Colohan – MF, Brigham Young University

Colohan has been a tremendous goal scorer for BYU during her college career, especially these past two seasons. 

The midfielder has 11 goals this season, scoring in nine straight games for BYU. Her goal-scoring streak has helped BYU to a 9-3 record on the season with four games remaining in the regular season. Her goal in their most recent game helped them pull off a big win against No. 11 Santa Clara. 

She was drafted in the 2021 NWSL Draft in the second round with the 14th pick by the Orlando Pride. The senior will stay with BYU for the remainder of the spring season as well as the fall season next year. She’ll report to the Pride in 2022.

Kelsey Turnbow – F, Santa Clara

Turnbow is the leader for Santa Clara in the offensive half of the field. She’s been efficient for the Broncos in both scoring and creating chances. In six games this season, she has six goals and three assists.

She’s also got some youth national team experience, representing the U.S. with several youth teams.

The senior was drafted by the Chicago Red Stars with the 18th pick in the 2021 NWSL Draft. When she joins the league after the fall college season she will be a player to watch.

Featured Image via @UNCWomensSoccer on Twitter

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