D1 Women: Locals playing vital roles on nationally-ranked teams

Eve Hewins is a starting midfieldet on Princeton. (Beverly Schaefer)

There are nearly 350 Division 1 women's college soccer programs, presenting student-athletes with opportunities far outside of New England.

It's also the case that those out-of-region programs are routinely the country's best, at least when using the United Soccer Coaches national poll as a measuring stick. After all, the current poll features no New England-based teams, with only one local side (Boston College) even receiving votes.

Still, there's plenty of New England flair at far-off programs, with five placing local players in their starting XIs or in prominent substitution roles. Perhaps one will shine when the College Cup rolls around Nov. 30 and Dec. 2 in Cary, North Carolina.

To preview what could come, the below eight players star outside of the region. Each Division 1 team's ranking is included in parentheses.