University of Memphis Athletics
Lavin, Kitagawa and Kudla Named to United Soccer Coaches Preseason Players to Watch Lists
Aug 10, 2026 | Women's Soccer
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Three Memphis women's soccer standouts have been recognized among the nation's best ahead of the 2026 season, with defender Finley Lavin, midfielder Ai Kitagawa and goalkeeper Abby Kudla earning spots on the United Soccer Coaches NCAA Division I Women's Players to Watch lists.
The positional watch lists, compiled by the United Soccer Coaches Division I All-America Committee, feature returning All-Americans and All-Region selections from the 2025 season and highlight some of the top players in college soccer entering the 2026 campaign.
Lavin, Memphis' lone senior and team captain, returns after establishing herself as one of the premier defenders in the country over the last three seasons. The Jarrettsville, Maryland, native started all 21 matches in 2025 and led a backline that conceded just six goals during the regular season and posted 14 shutouts, tied for fourth-most nationally. Lavin was named a United Soccer Coaches First Team All-American and MAC Hermann Trophy Semifinalist while earning American Conference Defender of the Year and All-Conference First Team honors for the second consecutive season.
Kitagawa enters her junior campaign following a stellar 2025 season in which she was named the American Conference Midfielder of the Year and earned All-Conference and United Soccer Coaches All-South Region First Team honors. The Itami City, Japan, native tied for the team lead with 10 goals while adding five assists for 25 points across 20 starts. Kitagawa recorded three multi-goal performances and four game-winning goals, including an 89th-minute winner against Florida Atlantic, before scoring twice in Memphis' NCAA Tournament First Round victory over Illinois.
Kudla, a junior from Strongsville, Ohio, enters her third season with the Tigers after a breakout sophomore campaign. She started 20 matches and recorded 16 wins in 2025 while helping Memphis post 13 shutouts. Kudla finished the year with a 0.74 goals-against average and .736 save percentage, highlighted by a five-save shutout against No. 11 Vanderbilt. Her efforts earned her United Soccer Coaches All-South Region First Team, All-Conference First Team and American Conference Goalkeeper of the Year honors, while she was also named to the MAC Hermann Trophy Midseason Watch List.
The United Soccer Coaches Players to Watch lists lead into the announcement of the 2026 Missouri Athletic Club Hermann Trophy Watch List. The women's Hermann Trophy Watch List is scheduled to be announced August 12, the opening day of the NCAA Division I women's soccer regular season.
Memphis opens the 2026 campaign at home against Kennesaw State on Wednesday, August 12 at 7 p.m.
For the Tigers' most recent and up-to-date schedule, click HERE.
HOW TO FOLLOW THE TIGERS: For complete information on Memphis Tigers Soccer, visit www.GoTigersGo.com and follow the team's social media channels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
The positional watch lists, compiled by the United Soccer Coaches Division I All-America Committee, feature returning All-Americans and All-Region selections from the 2025 season and highlight some of the top players in college soccer entering the 2026 campaign.
Lavin, Memphis' lone senior and team captain, returns after establishing herself as one of the premier defenders in the country over the last three seasons. The Jarrettsville, Maryland, native started all 21 matches in 2025 and led a backline that conceded just six goals during the regular season and posted 14 shutouts, tied for fourth-most nationally. Lavin was named a United Soccer Coaches First Team All-American and MAC Hermann Trophy Semifinalist while earning American Conference Defender of the Year and All-Conference First Team honors for the second consecutive season.
Kitagawa enters her junior campaign following a stellar 2025 season in which she was named the American Conference Midfielder of the Year and earned All-Conference and United Soccer Coaches All-South Region First Team honors. The Itami City, Japan, native tied for the team lead with 10 goals while adding five assists for 25 points across 20 starts. Kitagawa recorded three multi-goal performances and four game-winning goals, including an 89th-minute winner against Florida Atlantic, before scoring twice in Memphis' NCAA Tournament First Round victory over Illinois.
Kudla, a junior from Strongsville, Ohio, enters her third season with the Tigers after a breakout sophomore campaign. She started 20 matches and recorded 16 wins in 2025 while helping Memphis post 13 shutouts. Kudla finished the year with a 0.74 goals-against average and .736 save percentage, highlighted by a five-save shutout against No. 11 Vanderbilt. Her efforts earned her United Soccer Coaches All-South Region First Team, All-Conference First Team and American Conference Goalkeeper of the Year honors, while she was also named to the MAC Hermann Trophy Midseason Watch List.
The United Soccer Coaches Players to Watch lists lead into the announcement of the 2026 Missouri Athletic Club Hermann Trophy Watch List. The women's Hermann Trophy Watch List is scheduled to be announced August 12, the opening day of the NCAA Division I women's soccer regular season.
Memphis opens the 2026 campaign at home against Kennesaw State on Wednesday, August 12 at 7 p.m.
For the Tigers' most recent and up-to-date schedule, click HERE.
HOW TO FOLLOW THE TIGERS: For complete information on Memphis Tigers Soccer, visit www.GoTigersGo.com and follow the team's social media channels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
Players Mentioned
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