STANFORD, Calif. – Headlined by Jasmine Aikey and Y-Lan Nguyen being named TopDrawerSoccer Player and Freshman of the Year, respectively, seven Cardinal players earned spots on the publication’s end-of-year Best XI teams.
Announced prior to the College Cup semifinal, Aikey became the fourth Stanford player to be named TopDrawerSoccer Player of the Year, and ran the Cardinal’s overall total to five selections. Nguyen is the fourth Cardinal to earn Freshman of the Year from TopDrawerSoccer, including the first since Elise Evans in 2022.
Evans joined Aikey on the Best XI first team this year, while Andrea Kitahata was selected second team, and Charlotte Kohler third team. Aikey had previously been named Best XI first team in 2023, while Evans was named third team that same season. Kohler was named to the Freshman Best XI first team a year ago.
Nguyen, Lily Freer and Caroline Birkel were named Freshman Best XI first team.
Aikey, a finalist for the MAC Hermann Trophy and one of four finalists for the Honda Sport Award for Soccer, was named United Soccer Coaches All-America first team and led the Cardinal in total points with 53, including a team-high 21 goals (seven game-winners) and 11 assists. The ACC-high 21 goals, third-most nationally this season, rank tied for fourth in a single season in program history, while her 53 points were the most in the nation this year and ranked fifth in Stanford history. Her point total is also the most by an ACC player since North Carolina’s Casey Nogueira registered 58 in 2008. The native of Palo Alto, Calif. contributed at least a point in 20 of the 25 matches this season, scored in 11 of her last 16, and managed a goal in 16 of the 25 contests overall – including five multi-goal games.
Nguyen made her first collegiate start at Pitt on September 14, managing an assist in the match, and started 15 of the final 17 matches of her inaugural campaign. The native of Fairfax, Va. totaled two goals and two assists for six points while contributing 1,668 minutes in the Cardinal midfield. Nguyen had previously been named ACC All-Freshman team and was selected Women’s College Cup All-Tournament.
Evans, a semifinalist for the MAC Hermann Trophy and a United Soccer Coaches All-America first team pick, was named ACC Defensive Player of the Year, All-ACC first team and ACC All-Tournament. A team captain and the team leader in minutes played with 2,156 at center back, Evans accumulated seven goals, including two game-winners, and six assists for 20 points. She recorded her first career multi-goal match on November 21 vs. Alabama in the NCAA Tournament second round, and managed a pair of assists in Stanford’s 7-0 victory vs. San Francisco to open the season. Evans was named ACC Defensive Player of the Week and helped the Cardinal limit opponents to 24 goals (0.96 per game) on 205 total shots - including just 80 on frame. Stanford managed nine shutouts this year with Evans directing the back line.
Kitahata was named United Soccer Coaches All-Region second team, All-ACC first team, and was selected ACC Offensive Player of the Week on October 21. The native of Hillsborough, Calif. contributed at least one point in each of the first six matches this season and had a point in 19 of the 25 matches this year. Kitahata put together two different strings of four straight matches with a goal this year, and had a goal in 12 of the last 20 overall. She ranked second on the team in points with 44 (17 goals and 10 assists) and managed four game-winners.
Turning in a spectacular sophomore season, Kohler was named United Soccer Coaches All-America third team and All-ACC second team. She managed at least a point in 19 of the 25 matches this season and contributed five game-winners - including the game-winner to defeat No. 1 Virginia and No. 7 Florida State. Kohler converted the clinching PK in Stanford's 5-4 shootout victory over No. 2 Notre Dame to win the ACC Tournament title on November 9. The national leader in assists with 17, Kohler managed three assists in a match twice this year. The native of Woodside, Calif. ranked third on the team in points with 41 (12 goals and 17 assists).
Birkel was named United Soccer Coaches All-Region third team, ACC Goalkeeper of the Year, All-ACC first team and All-ACC Freshman team. The native of St. Louis, Mo. started every match in goal this year – becoming the first Stanford true freshman to start in goal since Jane Campbell started 18 matches in 2013. Birkel posted three shutouts and combined on six more as Stanford posted nine clean sheets this year. The standout freshman posted a 0.92 goals against average while making 47 saves.
Freer started 20 of Stanford’s 25 matches this year while logging the second-most minutes among Cardinal field players with 1,738 - including full time in 12 matches. An integral piece to Stanford’s back line in her first season on The Farm, Freer contributed one assist and helped the Cardinal post nine shutouts while limiting opponents to 24 goals (0.96 per game).