(Photo courtesy of Stony Brook Athletics)
The reality is so: The NCAA Championship teams for the past five years have all been buoyed by big-time transfers.
ILWomen’s Transfer Class Rankings reflect teams with championship aspirations who gained the extra pieces they might need to separate from runners-up to winners. The Rankings are led by the Tar Heels, who have a championship-level roster even without any help from the Portal, but also bolstered their chances with three impact additions.
10. Loyola
- Chloe Silverstein, G, Denver
- Shelby Sullivan, A, Maryland
Silverstein, a sophomore, got in four games as a freshman for the Pios. Sullivan, a junior, also has game experience with 32 appearances in the last two seasons with the Terps, including a standout freshman year in which she had 21 goals.
9. Clemson
- Dillyn Patten, M, Cornell
- Paisley Cook, M, UAlbany
- Jayden Piraino, A, Virginia
Clemson has been stockpiling from the front end with consistent recruiting classes and the back end with the Transfer Portal. Though they had significant Portal losses, Paisley Cook changed the conversation as an elite draw-taker and producer who was the America East Midfielder of the Year.
8. Penn State
- Carolina Panzirer, A, Colgate
- Shae Hagans, A, Jacksonville
- Devin Livingston, M, Maryland
- Mya Carroll, M, UAlbany
- Audra Hansen, M, UMass Lowell
Penn State’s class is just solid in every aspect. Mya Carroll, Shae Hagans and Audra Hansen bring a ton of points into the Big Ten.
7. Northwestern
- Caleigh Cummisky, A, Bucknell
- Paige Selhorn, A, Cincinnati
Northwestern has a knack for finding mid-major players and making them Big Ten stars. The youth of Selhorn and Cummisky is promising; they’ve got years to contribute and will be pushed by the Wildcat staff and teammates.
6. Duke
- Olvia Rose, D, Stanford
- Peep Williams, A, Stanford
- Ava Plata, A, UConn
Olivia Rose is a smart, effective defender who makes any group she’s part of better.
5. Syracuse
- Hanna Davis, A, Boston College
- Maya Soskin, G, Florida
- Olvia Bruno, D, Virginia
- Hollis Mulry, M, USC
Syracuse’s offense lost contributors, so Davis’ feeding ability is a good building block to bring the group together. Olvia Bruno’s efforts on the other end will be crucial, and Maya Soskin bolsters the goalie room with a secondary option.
4. Stony Brook
- Sofia Chepenik, A, South Florida
- Josie Lakosky, A, Northern Michigan
Stony Brook is loaded with returners from a team that was so, so close to a Final Four. That means that Sofia Chepenik won’t have to do it all but can contribute to the group effort and overall depth. Don’t discount Josie Lakosky, the scrappy DII transfer and Minnesota native with 297 career points.
3. Boston College
- Natalie Shurtleff, M, Clemson
- Carolina Trinkaus, A, Syracuse
- Hanna Barron, M, USC
The Eagles were young for what seemed the first time in a decade last year. They had their growing pains. So while that group is gaining key experience, they’ve added some veteran punch with proven, productive players.
2. Maryland
- Kira Balis, Dr, Clemson
- Gianna Monaco, A, Florida
- Ella Romeo, G, Davidson
The Terps were an NCAA semifinalist last year. Kira Balis shores up the defense hit by graduation, and she can also help Kayla Gilmore with the draws. Gianna Monaco is an uber-productive attacker, who we haven’t seen play in over a year.
1. North Carolina
- Alexia Reber, D, Syracuse
- Jenna Lundstedt, M, USC
- Kate Galica, M, Virginia
There is no understating the impact that Kate Galica would have on any roster in the country. The Heels can continue to throw waves and waves of talented middies at opponents with no drop-off. Galica and Eliza Osburn make up the best midfield duo in the country. Jenna Lundstedt also adds more help at the draw circle, and Alexia Reber brings experience to the one area of the field the Heels might be a little thin.