The Top Goal Scorers in NCAA Division 1 Women’s Soccer

Goal scoring in soccer is a true art form. There are tons of players out there who are incredible passers, strong defenders, crafty dribblers, but only a select few are capable of consistently scoring goals. It’s why the strikers are worth the most. A team can do everything right on the pitch, but it ultimately means nothing if the ball doesn’t find the back of the net. The beauty of the college game is getting to see a variety of goal scorers across the country at big and small schools alike. So here’s a look at the top NCAA Division 1 women’s soccer goal scorers. 

T-1. Nicole Douglas (15) – Arizona State, Senior

That was chefs kiss ?@Nicoledouglasss @AlexiaDelgado99 @Olivia15Jones | #ForksUp pic.twitter.com/U62Uu9w88n

— Sun Devil Soccer (@SunDevilSoccer) October 16, 2021

Tied for first in the nation is Nicole Douglas, and above is her most recent goal. The PAC-12 is one of the best conferences in the country, which makes Nicole Douglas’ abilities all the more impressive. Leading the pack with 15 goals, the senior has come over from England to make a big splash. Douglas has been building to this point with eight goals her sophomore year and ten her junior year. Now, she’s at 15 with a couple more games left in the season. Considering she’s Arizona State’s best player, there’s definitely a chance she gets to 20 goals this season and ends up in the NWSL or FA WSL next year. 

T-1. Mollie Belisle (15) – Georgia, Senior 

? Moment of the Match – Florida@MollieBelisle kept the Dawgs in SEC East contention with this 85th minute header off the cross from @daniellamurguia ?#GoDawgs ? pic.twitter.com/gkOAAzf7TA

— Georgia Soccer (@UGASoccer) October 22, 2021

Mollie Belisle is tied with Nicole Douglas for the top goal scorer spot in Division 1 women’s soccer. Above is her goal that clinched the 4-3 win over Florida. The Georgia Bulldogs find themselves in the thick of an SEC title race, and Mollie Belisle has been one of the main reasons why. The key for Belisle has been consistency. She’s been held scoreless in back-to-back games just once this season. Essentially, if she doesn’t score, she finds a way to always bounce back and produce for her team. This season, the grad student looks to end her Georgia career on a high note, possibly by being the nation’s top scorer. 

3. Miri Taylor (14) – Hofstra, Senior

102' | ??????? ????‼️ ??????? ????‼️ @_miriaeltaylor CALLS GAME and #Hofstra gets the 2-1 win in 2OT over UNCW!!#RoarWithPride pic.twitter.com/9C0t3jgnkk

— Hofstra Women's Soccer (@HofstraWSOC) October 10, 2021

Hofstra has been building a solid program over the last couple of years, their place in the NCAA Division 1 women’s soccer top 25 rankings is no fluke. Miri Taylor has been one of their best performers who has put it all together this season, especially in the hard-earned win over UNCW. After not recording double digits once in the previous three years, Taylor has 14, and if it weren’t for a small goal drought over the last three games, she’d be higher on the list. Taylor will need to get back to scoring if Hofstra wants to make a deep run in the NCAA tournament. Regardless of how her collegiate career ends, we’ll likely see her return home to England, the FA WSL, or elsewhere in Europe. 

4. Kirsten Davis (13) – Texas Tech, Senior

Moving into 2nd all time in career points at Tech with 109 following the Iowa State game, congrats @kirstendavis22 ?? pic.twitter.com/KKYnM8qDLt

— Texas Tech Soccer (@TexasTechSoccer) October 16, 2021

If the name Kirsten Davis sounds familiar, that’s because she was one of the select few picked in the 2021 NWSL College Draft. Racing Louisville will add another dynamic scorer to their attack-minded team. But, after being drafted, Davis decided to return to Texas Tech for her fifth and final season, and she already has 13 goals. After netting 16 goals for Texas Tech in 2019, Davis had a slower year in 2020 with four before bouncing back this year. Above is her 44th career goal against Iowa State. The team might need to win another game or two to ensure they make the NCAA tournament. Either way, Kirsten Davis has been having a great season. 

5. Sarah Griffith (13) – Purdue, Senior

Sarah Griffith AGAIN!! Her 13th of the season, from Teagan Jones, gives Purdue the lead.

58' – Purdue 1, Penn State 0

? B1G+ https://t.co/Ozncmo1SfB
? https://t.co/fYN7mxOw93#BoilerUp ?⚽️ pic.twitter.com/Z7FfRMg5T2

— Purdue Soccer (@PurdueSoccer) October 17, 2021

Sarah Griffith has snuck her way into the top 5 scorers in the country because she caught fire. From September 23rd to October 17th, Griffith scored in seven straight games, including a two-goal performance and win over Wisconsin. This has been Griffith’s breakout season, with Purdue second in Big 10 standings behind Rutgers. Expect Griffith to be a key figure for the Boilermakers as they prepare for the Big 10 and NCAA Tournaments. If Griffith stays hot, Purdue is a dangerous team to go up against. 

(NOTE: The stats accumulated on this list are as of Thursday, October 21st)

Featured image via @sundevilsoccer on Instagram

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