The West Coast Conference was ranked No. 3 nationally in conference recruiting for the upcoming 2003 season by Soccer Buzz.

With back-to-back national titles (Santa Clara in 2001, Portland in 2002), recruits are taking notice that some of the most competitive soccer is being played on the West Coast. In the highly competitive West region, all eight WCC schools are ranked in the top-25 in regards to incoming recruiting classes, making the league arguably the toughest conference in the nation.

Leading the way is the Santa Clara Broncos, who welcome in the No. 1 recruiting class in the West and the nation, equaling its haul from 1998 that produced a national championship four years later. Portland, the defending national champions, are right behind the Broncos with the No. 3 recruiting class in the West and the fourth best in the nation.

Pepperdine, 2002 WCC regular season co-champions with Santa Clara, welcomes in the No. 8 recruiting class in the West and the 30th best in the nation, followed by Loyola Marymount with the No. 10 recruiting class in the West and the 39th best in the nation.

Saint Mary's reloads with the 13th best recruiting class in the West, followed by Gonzaga with the 16th best, San Diego with the 17th best and San Francisco with the 18th best class in the West.

2003 Conference Recruiting Rankings by Soccer Buzz

1. ACC

2. PAC 10

3. West Coast

4. Big East

5. Big 12

6. SEC

7. Big Ten

8. Ivy

9. Conference USA

10. Mountain West