Santa Clara is the first team other than North Carolina to enter the season ranked No. 1 in the Soccer America poll. Former NCAA champion Notre Dame looks to challenge again, while defending champion Florida drops after the graduation of a large senior class.
| Rank/Team | 1998 Record | 1998 Postseason |
| 1. Santa Clara | 22-1-1 | Semifinals |
| 2. North Carolina | 25-1-0 | Runner-up |
| 3. Notre Dame | 21-3-1 | Quarterfinals |
| 4. Portland | 19-3-2 | Semifinals |
| 5. Connecticut | 21-2-2 | Quarterfinals |
| 6. Nebraska | 17-4-1 | Round of 16 |
| 7. Florida | 26-1-0 | Champion |
| 8. Penn State | 21-4-1 | Quarterfinals |
| 9. Hartford | 17-5-0 | Round of 16 |
| 10. Clemson | 16-7-0 | Round of 16 |
| 11. Dartmouth | 16-2-2 | Quarterfinals |
| 12. San Diego State | 19-3-1 | Round of 16 |
| 13. Stanford | 11-7-2 | First round |
| 14. Virginia | 13-6-3 | Round of 32 |
| 15. William & Mary | 17-3-2 | Round of 16 |
| 16. Michigan | 14-7-1 | Round of 32 |
| 17. Vanderbilt | 17-6-0 | Round of 32 |
| 18. Northwestern | 16-5-0 | Round of 16 |
| 19. Baylor | 15-5-1 | Round of 32 |
| 20. BYU | 20-5-0 | Round of 16 |