Texas A&M, with a large, skillful group that Aggies coach G. Guerreri calls the best in school history, sits atop Soccer America's list of the nation's Top 10 college women's soccer recruiting classes.

A&M's No. 1 class features 11 standouts, including five Parade and/or NSCAA Youth All-Americans and four players on Soccer America's Top 25 Recruits list. Included are midfielders Amy Berend, Ashlee Pistorius and Melissa Garey, all with experience with the U.S. under-19 women's national team.

''We brought in a lot of class,'' said Guerreri, who will get ample time to work on team chemistry during a preseason trek to Europe. ''We've had players maybe of the caliber of some of these kids, but we haven't brought in this many at one time.''

North Carolina, Texas, Penn State and Notre Dame also brought in top-flight classes to complete the first five, and Nebraska, Ohio State, Portland, Florida and California complete the Top 10.

Two of the top three classes and three of the top six belong to Big 12 Conference schools.

Coverage of Soccer America's Top 10 College Women's Recruiting Classes, as well as the Top 25 College Women's Recruits, is in the July 26 edition of Soccer America.

North Carolina's class includes goalkeeper Ashlyn Harris, Soccer America's choice as the No. 1 recruit for 2004. The Tar Heels, defending NCAA Division I champions, also brought in the top recruit last year (Heather O'Reilly) and three of the top four recruits in 2002 (Amy Steadman, Lori Chalupny, Lindsay Tarpley).

A number of schools will be without top recruits this fall as several players defer enrollment until after the Nov. 10-27 FIFA U-19 Women's World Championship in Thailand. The U.S. and Canadian U-19 national teams, among the favorites for the title, will stage residencies this fall to prepare for the tournament.

The top recruits at North Carolina (Harris), Texas (Stephanie Logterman), Penn State (Sheree Gray), Notre Dame (Kerri Hanks) and Portland (Megan Rapinoe) are among a group of about three dozen players who will defer enrollment or red-shirt for the 2004 season.

None of Texas A&M's recruits are scheduled to miss the fall season, although Berend is in the U.S. U-19 team's current camp in New Jersey.

Soccer America's Top 10 Recruiting Classes for 2004:

1. TEXAS A&M
Big 12 Conference – Coach G. Guerreri

The Aggies pulled in a deep, talented class that features All-Americans Berend, Pistorius, Garey, Sara Albrecht, Jordan Falcusan and Marissa Sarkesian. Throw in England U-19 goalkeeper Julie Spearink, three Regional ODP players and Sereno captain Paige Carmichael, and Guerreri's got an A+ group.

Announced signings: M Sara Albrecht (Kingwood, Texas), M Amy Berend (Highland Village, Texas), M/D Paige Carmichael (Glendale, Ariz.), D Jordan Falcusan (Plymouth, Mich.), M Melissa Garey (Gonzales, La.), M Jessica Green (Katy, Texas), M Allison Martino (Draper, Utah), F/M Ashlee Pistorius (Bloomington, Ill.), F/M Marissa Sarkesian (Canton, Mich.), G Julie Spearink (San Ramon, Calif./Loughborough, England), D Kelly Wilmoth (Allen, Texas).
SA Top 25: Amy Berend (No. 12), Ashlee Pistorius (15), Melissa Garey (20), Paige Carmichael (21).

2. NORTH CAROLINA
Atlantic Coast Conference – Coach Anson Dorrance

The reigning NCAA champions pulled in the big prize of this class — U.S. U-19 captain Ashlyn Harris — and scored well at home and in Massachusetts. J'aime Gilbert is getting a look with the U.S. U-19s, and Canadian defender Robyn Gayle could play in a second U-19 World Championship if she's healthy this fall. Two-sport star Katie Brooks (lacrosse) could surprise.

Announced signings: D Katie Brooks (Winchester, N.C.), D Robyn Gayle (Mississauga, Ontario), F J'aime Gilbert (North Andover, Mass.), D Ariel Harris (Holly Springs, N.C.), G Ashlyn Harris (Satellite Beach, Fla.), M Mary Hinkle (Winston-Salem, N.C.), M Catie Winslow (Greensboro, N.C.), D Julie Yates (Winston-Salem, N.C.).
Transfer: Kim Coates (Louisburg, NAIA).
SA Top 25: Ashlyn Harris (No. 1), J'aime Gilbert (11).

3. TEXAS
Big 12 Conference – Coach Chris Petrucelli

The Longhorns' group isn't big — just five players — but it is superb. Stephanie Logterman is the most versatile player in the U.S. U-19 pool, and forward Kelsey Carpenter might be starting for the U-19s if she hadn't declined invitations to join the team. Caitlin Kennedy, a rising defender with tremendous upside, is the third Parade All-American. Lauren Imber is a Region III ODP player with ESP experience.

Announced signings: F Kelsey Carpenter (Allen, Texas), F Lauren Imber (Houston), D Caitlin Kennedy (Euless, Texas), M/D Stephanie Logterman (Austin, Texas), D Christy Perkins (Dripping Springs, Texas).
SA Top 25: Stephanie Logterman (No. 9), Kelsey Carpenter (10), Caitlin Kennedy (13).

4. PENN STATE
Big Ten Conference – Coach Paula Wilkens

Speedy, athletic Sheree Gray has out-of-this-world potential, as U.S. U-19 opponents can attest. She's one of three Parade All-Americans in this class, along with forward Zoe Bouchelle and defender Denay Riley. The other big addition is SMU transfer Erin McLeod, starter goalkeeper with Canada's U-19 team at the 2002 World Championship and a backup to Taryn Swiatek and Karina LeBlanc during last year's Women's World Cup.

Announced signings: M Kay Adami (Trenton, N.J.), F Aubrey Aden-Buie (Allentown, Pa.), F Carly Bedesem (Holland, Pa.), F Zoe Bouchelle (Cockeysville, Md.), F Alli Donofrio (Wayne, N.J.), F/M Sheree Gray (Toms River, N.J.), F/M Molly Musso (Basking Ridge, N.J.), D Denay Riley (Washingtonville, N.Y.).
Transfer: G Erin McLeod (SMU).
SA Top 25: Sheree Gray (No. 5).

5. NOTRE DAME
Big East Conference – Coach Randy Waldrum

The Irish brought in a ton of attacking talent, although two of the four big names won't be available this fall. Kerri Hanks, the Golden Boot winner at the CONCACAF U-19 Tournament that wrapped up last month, is a star forward for the U.S. U-19 team. Hometown girl Susan Pinnick is recuperating from a broken neck suffered in a Colorado van crash last month while with her club team. Finnish striker Jannica Tjeder, MVP of Finland's women's league last year, and Amanda Cinalli should make more immediate impacts.

Announced signings: F Amanda Cinalli (Maple Heights, Ohio), F Kerri Hanks (Allen, Texas), M Ashley Jones (Westlake Village, Calif.), G Lauren Karas (Flower Mound, Texas), F Susan Pinnick (South Bend, Ind.), F Jannica Tjeder (Espoo, Finland).
SA Top 25: Kerri Hanks (No. 4), Jannica Tjeder (24).

6. NEBRASKA
Big 12 Conference – Coach John Walker

Lincoln long has been a southern home for many of Canada's top female players, and this year's class features three more. Speedster Sari Raber and midfielder Selenia Iachelli are starters for Canada's U-19 squad, and SMU transfer Sasha Andrews is a full national-teamer who played in last year's Women's World Cup. Coloradan Jetta Sandusky will add depth to the Cornhusker attack.

Announced signings: F Meghan Hungerford (Manhattan, Kan.), F Brigid Kenny (North Platte, Neb.), D/M Sari Raber (Richmond, British Columbia), M/F Jetta Sandusky (Littleton, Colo.), M Kaile Schroff (Lincoln, Neb.).
Unannounced commitment: M Selenia Iachelli (Edmonton).
Transfer: D Sasha Andrews (SMU).
SA Top 25: D/M Sari Raber (No. 18), M Selenia Iachelli (25).

7. OHIO STATE
Big Ten Conference – Coach Lori Walker

The Buckeyes' best class ever stars Swiss national team playmaker Lara Dickenmann, one of the finest young players in Europe, and Canadian U-19 striker Lisa Collison. Lori Walker also fared well at home and in California. Region IV ODP veteran Heather Young, from near San Diego, is an emerging talent.

Announced signings: F Carla Arbulu (Grover Beach, Calif.), F Lisa Collison (Niagara Falls, Ontario), F/M Lara Dickenmann (Kriens, Switzerland), F Lindsay Mays (Powell, Ohio), D Keiana Mitchell (Cincinnati), D Jessica Roberts (Strongsville, Ohio), F Heather Young (Del Mar, Calif.).
SA Top 25: Lara Dickenmann (No. 2).

8. PORTLAND
West Coast Conference – Coach Garrett Smith

The Pilots nabbed the best players from California (U.S. U-19 star Megan Rapinoe), Washington (Mary Kuder) and Oregon (Natalie Budge and Kelly Cronkrite), but they also got their first recruit from the East Coast (Michelle Scifo). Rapinoe will join 2003 freshman stars Stephanie Lopez and Angie Woznuk with the U-19s, but her twin sister, Rachael, will be wearing purple all fall.

Announced signings: F Natalie Budge (Tualatin, Ore.), F/M Kelly Cronkrite (Corvallis, Ore.), F/M Mary Kuder (Seattle), D Emily Michaelson (Portland, Ore.), F Megan Rapinoe (Redding, Calif.), D/M Rachael Rapinoe (Redding, Calif.), M Michelle Scifo (Lynbrook, N.Y.).
SA Top 25: Megan Rapinoe (No. 6.).

9. FLORIDA
Southeastern Conference – Coach Becky Burleigh

The Gators loaded up on Regional ODP players and transfers in a deep, 13-player class. Florida always has speed and outstanding athleticism, and they add to both with McDonald's All-American Jasmine Johnson and sprinter Ashley Harris. There are three Hudsons coming in — none related — including USC transfer Shanna Hudson, a former U.S. U-19 pool player. Also transferring to Gainesville is midfielder Lindsey DeLorenze from N.C. State.

Announced signings: F Ashley Harris (Royal Palm Beach, Fla.), F Bianca Gibbs (Cape Coral, Fla.), D Mary Green (St. Louis), F KeLeigh Hudson (Marietta, Ga.), M Shana Hudson (Palm Harbor, Fla.), F Jasmine Johnson (Clearwater, Fla.), M Jenna Levenson (Boca Raton, Fla.), M Liz Ruberry (Oak Forest, Ill.), F Nikita Walker (Margate, Fla.).
Transfers: M Lindsey DeLorenze (North Carolina State), F Shanna Hudson (USC), M Rie Sawai (Graceland, NAIA).
SA Top 25: Jasmine Johnson (No. 19).

10. CALIFORNIA
Pacific-10 Conference – Coach Kevin Boyd

The Bears bring in another fine class, a 10-deep group featuring U.S. U-19 midfielder Chioma Igwe and NSCAA Youth All-American Caroline Lea. Three Region IV ODP players, incluiding midfielder Laurie Gartrell, three Cal-South or Cal-North state players, and unsung Kristine Relja provide depth.

Announced signings: M Laurie Gartrell (La Jolla, Calif.), M Caitlin Hannegan (San Rafael, Calif.), D Courtney Hooker (Woodland Hills, Calif.), M/F Chioma Igwe (Belmont, Calif.), F/M Caroline Lea (Lakewood, Colo.), M/D Katie Martinez (Fremont, Calif.), D Dayna Queisser (Coronado, Calif.), D Kristine Relja (Pleasanton, Calif.), F Stephanie Weiger (Concord, Calif.), M Katie Wilcox (Sunnyvale, Calif.).
SA Top 25: M/F Chioma Igwe (No. 17).