Discover the Top 25 College Soccer Teams Dominating the NCAA This Season
Watching this NCAA soccer season unfold has been one of the most thrilling experiences I’ve had in years. As someone who’s followed college soccer for over a decade, I can tell you—this year feels different. The competition is fiercer, the talent deeper, and the race for the top has been absolutely unpredictable. I was reminded of a quote from a player earlier this season who said, "I wasn’t really thinking about it all season. I didn’t know who was gonna be on top of the SPs race. I was just giving my all to help us get back to the Final Four." That mindset, that focus on team success over individual glory, is exactly what separates the good teams from the truly dominant ones. And let me tell you, after analyzing match data, stats, and player form, I’ve put together my take on the 25 college soccer teams that are not just winning—they’re dominating.
Starting at the very top, Clemson has been nothing short of spectacular. They’ve racked up 14 wins so far, with only one loss, and their offensive output is staggering—averaging 2.8 goals per game. But what really stands out to me is their midfield control. I’ve watched them play three times this season, and each time, their possession stats hovered around 62%. That’s not luck; that’s systematic dominance. Right behind them, Wake Forest has been a revelation. Their defense has conceded just 9 goals in 16 matches, and if you ask me, their goalkeeper is arguably the best in the league this year. Then there’s Syracuse—a team I’ve had my eye on since preseason. They started a bit slow, but their recent form, including a 4-0 thrashing of Notre Dame, shows they’ve hit their stride at the perfect moment. I’ll be honest, I didn’t expect Indiana to crack the top five this season, but their comeback ability has won me over. They’ve turned around three matches after trailing at halftime, which tells you something about their mental toughness.
Moving into the middle of the pack, teams like North Carolina and Duke have shown flashes of brilliance, though consistency has been their Achilles’ heel. UNC, for instance, started with 7 straight wins but then hit a rough patch with two unexpected draws. Still, when their star forward is on—and I’ve seen him score from what seemed like impossible angles—they can dismantle any defense. On the West Coast, Stanford continues to impress with their tactical discipline. They might not score as many highlight-reel goals, but they’ve kept 10 clean sheets this season. Personally, I think their style isn’t always the most entertaining, but you can’t argue with results. Then there’s Georgetown—a team that, in my opinion, doesn’t get enough national attention. Their midfield engine, a sophomore who’s already notched 11 assists, is one of the most underrated players I’ve seen this year.
As we look toward the lower half of the top 25, I’ve got to give a shout-out to Kentucky. They’ve climbed into the rankings thanks to an aggressive pressing game that forces turnovers high up the pitch—a strategy I’ve always admired. Meanwhile, Oregon State has been a pleasant surprise, especially after integrating two freshmen into their starting lineup. One of them has already scored 8 goals, which is exceptional for a first-year player. On the flip side, I’ve been slightly disappointed with Virginia. They have the talent, no doubt, but in key moments, they’ve seemed hesitant. I watched their match against Pitt last week, and despite having 60% possession, they struggled to create clear chances. That’s something they’ll need to fix before the tournament.
Wrapping this up, it’s clear that this season’s top 25 isn’t just about stats or rankings—it’s about teams that embody that relentless, team-first attitude. The player I quoted earlier nailed it: giving your all for the collective goal is what makes champions. From my perspective, the teams that embrace that philosophy, like Clemson and Wake Forest, are the ones who will go deepest in the playoffs. But as any longtime fan knows, surprises happen. Maybe an underdog like Kentucky or Oregon State will make a Cinderella run. Whatever happens, I’ll be watching every minute, and I suggest you do too—because this season, every game matters.