Canadian NCAA Preview 2026: Juniors

Junior year is often when potential turns into expectation. By now, these players are established starters, proven contributors, and in many cases key figures for both their schools and Canada's youth national teams. Several have already earned senior national team opportunities, while others are positioning themselves for professional careers after graduation. If the sophomore class is about building momentum, this group is focused on proving it belongs among the country's elite prospects.

A lot has been said about Ottawa’s Annabelle Chukwu already, although she prefers to let her play do the talking. At only 19, she is the CanYNT’s top goal scorer of all time and many Canadian fans have been aware of Chukwu’s talent since her U15 days. She scored 4 goals at the 2024 U20 World Cup at age 17, scored the CONCACAF W20 Championship-winning goal in 2025, and scored her first two CanWNT goals in a 4:0 win over Zambia in April.

A MAC Hermann watchlist candidate this season and last, her 12 sophomore season goals led to an All-ACC First Team nod. She’ll captain the U20s at the World Cup, being one of five players with previous experience at the tournament. Once the tournament concludes, most pundits and fans expect the generational talent to be a permanent member of Casey Stoney’s in November qualifying and through the two major tournaments on the horizon for the CanWNT. 

Another pre-season MAC Hermann watchlist candidate, Oching blossomed in her sophomore season, having transferred from Syracuse after her first year. She had 20 starts in 21 appearances for the Hawkeyes contributing 2  goals and 3 assists. Now under a new head coach, the defender who grew up in Coquitlam, BC and developed in the Whitecaps/Rise academy will look to build on last season’s success.

At the international level, she has been part of the U17 and U20 squads since 2021, making 6 appearances including one at the U17 World Cup in 2022. More recently, she started both preparatory matches against Japan and England in June, indicating that she’ll likely be part of the World Cup squad.

A 2025 NCAA Champion, Okeke has put together an impressive collegiate, international, and youth career so far. The defender from Laval transferred from NC State to FSU after her rookie season, and immediately became a starter for the Seminoles including playing full matches for the entire College Cup tournament. She was the highest ranked Canadian on the TDS Top 100 College players to watch this season at #19.

Okeke received her first senior call-up in October 2024, but has not yet made an appearance. She has been a mainstay for the YNT since entering the program as a 15-yo in 2021. She was a starter for the U20s at the 2024 World Cup as a 17-year-old and will anchor the backline this time around in Poland.  

Collin is a flank player who can be used as a fullback or a winger from Mississauga. The 20-yo plays as a defender for Wisconsin, where she had a breakout 2025 season, starting all 22 matches. She can play on the left or the right side and has drawn comparisons to players like Jayde Riviere due to her pace and two-way play.

She is one of the 5 returning players from the 2024 U20 World Cup, where she played a part in two matches under Coach Cindy Tye, who initially brought her into the YNT in 2023 at age 17. 18 appearances, 4 goals, and 3 assists later, she is an established leader among the group and lifted the CONCACAF Championship Trophy alongside her teammates in 2025, where she was named to the team of the tournament.

Last, but certainly not least, Emma Yee from Richmond, BC makes our list of players to watch this season. Yee can play as a midfielder or a forward, and found her scoring boots for the Fighting Illini in 2025. 6 goals and 1 assist in 21/21 starts in her sophomore season highlight her importance to the team. This season, she’ll look to build on those stats under a new coach, so she can push for a U20 World Cup spot.

Yee was in and out of YNT contention throughout her youth career with the Whitecaps program. Her stellar sophomore campaign earned her a look at CanW20 Camp in April, and she made the cut for the June camp as well, playing 30min vs Japan and starting against England. She has as good a chance as any if she can string together a few solid performances to start the season.

Noelle Sather (Baylor, Midfield). Part of the highly talented Whitecaps team from 2022-2023, Sather was recently called in to represent the Korean U23 national team. She transferred from USF to #6 ranked Baylor this off-season and immediately scored an absolute banger for the Bears.

Jahkaya Davis (Binghamton, Forward). Initially bursting onto the scene in the 2024 Ontario Premier League season, Davis has gone on to have an outstanding college career so far. 15 goals in 33 appearances, including 2 in 2 to start her junior season, are reason enough to have the Mississauga native on your watchlist.

Stephanie Schoeley (Providence, Defense). Another U20 squad candidate, the center back from Thedford (near London), ON is one of the best emerging in the defensive pipeline. She’s a standout at Providence, where she started every game last season and contributed 3 goals in 2025.

Maya Hindson (USF, Midfield). The Arsenal academy graduate from Ottawa is poised to become a key player for the Bulls in her third go round. She won the USL-W Championship with Salmon Bay FC this Summer, playing over 1000 minutes and notching two assists.

Lea Larouche (Iowa, Forward). Another U20 World Cup hopeful, Larouche is best known for her winning goal vs the US in the CONCACAF Championship in 2025. Initially at Butler to start her college career, she transferred to Iowa this year to compete in a stronger conference.