Madison Nichols: A Bright Future for Army Under Head Coach Tracy Chao

Published: November 2, 2022

Just two months ago, the Army West Point Women’s Soccer program found itself sitting at number 255 in the 2021 NCAA DI Women’s Soccer RPI Ranking. Yet, months before, Madison Nichols saw potential in the growing program that many are just beginning to notice. What Nichols saw led her to choose Army as a 2023 commit – Army Head Coach Tracy Chao and Assistant Coach Tori Ball are creating something very special. Nichols then spent time in the summer of 2022 training with the seven other 2023 commits at an Army ID Clinic. She saw first-hand the talent, skill, commitment, and heart each of them are bringing to the gritty West Point side. Army’s 2023 committed class includes Ariana Diaz, Kristin Geczik, Jordan Hecht, Madison Nichols, Madison Woodward, Nadia Zaborowski, Skylar Reagan, and Sabrina Rogers.

Nichols said, “The team and culture Coach Chao is building were a key part of my decision to choose the United States Military Academy at West Point. She is bringing together a group of players who individually complement the other team members very well, and I’m excited about joining this team and the Long Gray Line.”

With a preseason fifth place ranking in the Patriot League, Army’s rigorous 2022 schedule took them to powerhouses Auburn, Samford, and Boston College and found them hosting UConn and Syracuse at Malek Stadium. These formidable opponents prepared Army to make a run through the Patriot League season culminating in a hard-fought victory last week over Boston University to claim the regular season title in the league.

Nichols sees the progress this season as just the beginning. And some are beginning to agree. This week, the Top Drawer Soccer 2023 Women’s D1 Recruiting Rankings have Army just outside the top 20 recruiting classes in the country. For any coach to attract a top-ranked recruiting class following a preseason RPI rank of 255 is extraordinary. The Army women’s program is going to be interesting to watch through the post-season and over the next few seasons.

Nichols continues to impress on the field this fall scoring or assisting 27% of the goals for Tophat who currently sits atop the Girl’s Academy Southeast Conference Standings. While Nichols is looking forward to National Signing Day on November 9, she is equally excited about the many opportunities ahead with Army Women’s Soccer and Coach Chao.

Nichols is ranked in the top 200 club players in the country and trains and plays with Tophat Soccer in Atlanta, Georgia as a member of the #22 ranked team in the country with the #2 soccer club in the US. She also plays in the United Soccer League (USL-W) with Southern Soccer Academy Royals.