Here's a look at the top 10 teams in Soccer America's Preseason Women's Top 25:

1. UCLA (Pac-10)

The third time should be a charm for Jillian Ellis' Bruins. They fell to Notre Dame, 2-1, in the 2004 Women's Cup final and were blown out by Portland, 4-0, in the 2005 final. This year Ellis has the talent to finally capture the top prize. She graduated Jill Oakes and Iris Mora and lost Canadian star Kara Lang to a knee injury, but everyone else returns. Val Henderson is one of the country's most promising young goalies. Mary Castelanelli, Bristyn Davis and Erin Hardy anchor a seasoned backline. With Lang out for the 2006 campaign, Danesha Adams will need to carry more of the scoring load from midfield, where she is joined by Tina DiMartino. Along with Hardy, Adams and DiMartino, top recruit Lauren Cheney missed the start of the season to represent the USA at the U-20 World Championship.

2. Portland (WCC)

Gone are Christine Sinclair (110 career goals) and Lindsey Hue, who led the Pilots to national titles in 2002 and 2005, but Coach Garrett Smith has more than enough talent returning to have a good shot at another national title. Megan Rapinoe scored 15 goals and added 13 assists as a freshman in 2005. Defender Stephanie Lopez captains the U.S. under-20 squad, while midfielder Angie Woznuk had one goal and two assists against UCLA in last year's College Cup final. Also back are Cori Alexander, the 2005 College Cup defensive MVP, in goal and veterans Kari Evans and Emily Michaelson on the backline. The holding midfielder will again be Lisa Sari, while forward Natalie Budge (seven goals in 2005) is also back. The one disappointment for Pilot fans was Canadian recruit Sophie Schmidt's decision to red-shirt in 2006.

3. North Carolina (ACC)

Five All-Americans — Lindsay Tarpley, Lori Chalupny, Kendall Fletcher, Kacey White and Aly Winget — are gone from last year's team whose shootout loss to Florida State cost it a shot at an 18th NCAA title. So why is UNC still ranked No. 4? Heather O'Reilly is easily the best striker in the college game – when she isn't away with the USA. Jessica Maxwell returns after red-shirting in 2005. U-20s Casey Nogueira and Tobin Heath head the best freshman class in the country.

4. Florida State (ACC)

After last year's trip to the College Cup, Florida State won't surprise anybody. The core of last year's team was foreign imports. This year, Coach Mark Krikorian brought in only two new foreign players — Spanish international Iraia Iturregi and German Maike Sauren. The Noles return nine starters, including senior India Trotter, who notched career highs in goals scored (13), assists (9) and points (35). The big loss was German import Viola Odebrecht, who didn't return.

5. Santa Clara (WCC)

Jerry Smith's young Broncos managed to advance as far as the quarterfinals last season. This year, they could return to the final four. Junior Jordan Angeli (12 goals in 2005) will need to carry the scoring load when she returns from playing with the U-20s. No. 2 scorer Tina Estrada (11 goals) is red-shirting. Fellow U-20 Amanda Poach heads a stellar sophomore class that also includes Danielle Potts, Hayley Siegel and Courtney Lewis, who is returning from a knee injury.

6. Notre Dame (Big East)

Even with the loss of Canadian stars Katie Thorlakson and Candice Chapman, Notre Dame will be solid. Randy Waldrum has one of the nation's deepest squads, led by Kerri Hanks (28 goals, 15 assists). With defender Christie Shaner, midfielders Brittany Bock and Jen Buczkowski and forwards Amanda Cinalli and Hanks, the Irish are loaded at every position except for goalkeeper. One candidate is freshman Kelsey Lysander, daughter of former Major League pitcher Rick Lysander.

7. Virginia (ACC)

Steve Swanson's Cavaliers took quite a hit when Sarah Huffman and Noelle Keselica graduated, leaving Shannon Foley to run the show in midfield. Foley and defender Becky Sauerbrunn will lead Virginia until 2005 ACC Freshman of the Year Jess Rostedt and Nikki Kryzsik return from international duty with the U.S. U-20s. With Huffman and Kelesica gone, Swanson brought in three highly rated midfielders: Megan Ashforth, Kristin Bowers and Caitlin Miskel.

8. Penn State (Big Ten)

The Nittany Lions' only blemishes in 2005 were shootout losses to Michigan in the Big Ten Tournament and to Portland in the NCAA Tournament that are recorded as ties. MAC Hermann Trophy runner-up Tiffany Weimer graduated, along with All-American goalie Erin McLeod and defenders Lindsay Bach and Natalie Jacobs. Back, though, is All-American Ali Krieger, who anchors the Penn State midfield that also includes current U.S. U-20 Allie Long and former U-20 Sheree Gray.

9. Texas A&M (Big 12)

G Guerrieri returns one of the most experienced teams in his tenure in College Station. Junior Ashley Pistorius came to A&M to play soccer and basketball, but she is now concentrating on soccer. She led the Big 12 in scoring last season with 22 goals and 12 assists for 56 points. The Aggies' other stars are also juniors: defender Paige Carmichael, who has battled back from a knee injury suffered in 2004, and midfielder Amy Berend.

10. Boston College (ACC)

The Eagles finished fifth in their first season in the ACC but advanced to the sweet 16 in the NCAA Tournament before falling to Santa Clara. BC features 10 returning starters, including senior All-American defender Laura Georges. Like last season, Georges will split time playing for the Eagles and the French women's national team. Coach Alison Foley's big need is scoring help. Midfielder Jenny Maurer was BC's top scorer in 2005 with only 10 points.

For scouting reports on all the Top 25 teams, profiles of college soccerÆs U.S. women's internationals and a look at players and coaches on the move during the offseason, as well as our college men's preview, read the September issue of Soccer America, coming soon to your mailbox.