Schlueter, Bramblett and Greco named B1G Players to Watch
8/3/2026 2:01:00 PM | Women's Soccer
Ohio State ranked fifth in Big Ten Preseason Poll
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohio State midfielder/forward Amanda Schlueter, defender Ava Bramblett and midfielder Ava Greco have been named as 2026 Big Ten Women's Soccer Players to Watch.
The conference unveiled the announcement on Monday along with its preseason poll, voted on by the league's 18 head coaches. The Buckeyes were predicted to finish fifth in the conference this season.
Schlueter is coming off a first-team All-Big Ten junior season, starting in all 22 matches and leading the team with 11 goals and five assists. She scored the only two goals in the 2-0 win in her home state at Kentucky on Sept. 7. Schlueter recorded three game-winning goals last season, with one in the 2-0 NCAA tournament victory against Georgia on Nov. 14.
Bramblett served as one of the captains in the 2025 season and was named second team All-Big Ten at the conclusion. She was a catalyst for scoring in the midfield and recorded three goals and one assist of her own. Two of the goals were in the second half of the 3-0 win at Illinois on Sept. 28, the first of the pair being the game winner.
Greco had a solid sophomore season, with two goals and one assist. She played in all four NCAA tournament matches, including all 110 minutes in the 1-0 overtime win against Notre Dame in the second round.
Ohio State returns nine starters from last year's team, who earned their sixth consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance and their first Elite Eight appearance since 2010. They finished 11-5-6 overall and tied for sixth in the Big Ten.
The Buckeyes open the season on the road against Clemson Aug. 16 at noon. The home opener will be against Kansas in a doubleheader with men's soccer on Wednesday, Aug. 20 at 5 p.m. at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium.
2026 Big Ten Women's Soccer Preseason Poll
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Michigan State
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UCLA
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Washington
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Wisconsin
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Ohio State
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Penn State
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USC
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Northwestern
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Illinois
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Iowa
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Michigan
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Nebraska
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Purdue
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Minnesota
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Rutgers
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Indiana
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Maryland
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Oregon
#GoBucks
