NCAA Preseason Goalkeeper Rankings - Men's 2019

Seniors

1. Jacob Harris (Colgate) - 22
2. Jimmy Slayton (Hartford) - 21
3. Parker Siegfried (Ohio State) - 22
4. Drake Callender (California) - 21
5. Andreu Cases Mundet (Wake Forest, Spain) - 22
6. Sawyer Gaffney (Davidson) - 22
7. Anthony Mwembia (Bowling Green, France) - 23
8. Wallis Lapsley (UC Davis) - 22
9. Robbie McKelvey (Duquesne) - 22
10. Carlos Caro (Howard) - 21

Make or break: Parker Siegfried. Siegfried holds a homegrown option with Columbus but similar to Luis Barazza last year, if he plays well enough he may have more suitors by the time the draft rolls around. The Crew doesn’t have a USL affiliate as of 2019 so roster spots aren’t easy to come by, although that could theoretically change for 2020. Siegfried has shown flashes of professional-level talent but the Buckeyes are coming off a 1-15-2 season last year. Realistically Siegfried needs a loud senior year to see an MLS contract in front of him come January to overcome his short stature, the Crew’s crowded goalkeeping core, and a dreadful finish in 2018.

Juniors

1. Ben Hale (Furman) - 21
2. Chase Vosvick (Loyola Maryland) - 21
3. Colin Shutler (Virginia) - 20
4. Will Pulisic (Duke) - 21
5. Noah Lawrence (Cincinnati) - 20
6. Enrique Facusse (Kentucky, Honduras) - 20
7. Jake Gelnovatch (Louisville) - 22
8. Andrew Pannenberg (Wake Forest) - 20
9. Noah Heim (SIUE) - 21
10. Leon Krapf (NC State, Germany) - 21

Make or break: Will Pulisic. The highly touted goalkeeper, who was once training Dortmund, has yet to move past the third round in the NCAA tournament, being upset as a sixth seed both years. Pulisic has some name recognition going in his favor but being sub-six feet tall and lack of postseason success are going to be hard for scouts to overlook. If Pulisic showcases another postseason run with mixed reviews, there’s a good chance he is tagged with being a “good, but not great” goalkeeper. However if Pulisic and Duke put the pieces together and display why they’re a school that should be feared, Pulisic may not need to stay around for his senior year.

Sophomores

1. Justin Garces (UCLA) - 18
2. Andrew Thomas (Stanford) - 20
3. Alec Smir (North Carolina) - 20
4. Giannis Nikopolidis (Georgetown, Greece) - 18
5. George Tasouris (Grand Canyon, Cyprus) - 23
6. George Marks (Clemson) - 19
7. Daniel Husa (Gardner-Webb, Norway) - 21
8. Alex Budnik (Dartmouth) - 19
9. Sam Ilin (Marist) - 19
10. Sean Murry (Monmouth) - 20

Make or break: Justin Garces. Heading into the fall this time last year, Garces was one of, if not the number one prospect within the USMNT goalkeeping pool. A middling fall and a quiet six months later, Garces has some competition for the number one spot just within his. Andrew Thomas was called into a U23 camp over the summer and both George Marks (Clemson) and Alec Smir (UNC) are set to take over programs with more than its fair share of top goalkeepers in its history. Garces needs a confident fall to springboard into an even more convincing spring and summer run, otherwise he’ll go down as a once-promising young athlete who struggled to put the pieces in order.

Freshmen

1. Patrick Schulte (Saint Louis) - 18
2. Collin Travasos (California) - 18
3. Mario Perez (Purdue Fort Wayne) - 18
4. Tomas Romero (Georgetown, El Salvador) - 18
5. Kris Shakes (Penn State) - 18
6. Marcus Peterkin (Connecticut) - 18
7. Nate Holladay (UNC Asheville) - 18
8. Duncan Wegner (Hofstra) - 18
9. Michael Collodi (Columbia) - 18
10. Rhone Ellis (NC State) - 18

Make or break: Patrick Schulte. Schulte broke onto the scene with his US Open Cup heroics this summer, clawing out three penalty saves to push St. Louis FC into the third round. (Watch the highlights and penalty saves here.) Last year we saw Matt Freese leave Harvard after only his sophomore season and 14 collegiate starts to sign with the Philadelphia Union, where he already has 6 starts in MLS action. While Schulte may not have the opportunity to leave after his freshman fall, professional teams are looking younger and younger to establish their goalkeeping cores. If Schulte can prove he’s on a professional track, don’t be surprised if the US Open Cup hero gets an early start on his legacy as an MLS goalkeeper, if not something abroad.

Past Collegiate Goalkeeper Rankings

2018: Preseason and Final
2017: Preseason and Final
2016: Preseason and Final
2015: Preseason and Final
2014: Final

cover photo from Colgate athletics

NCAA Preseason Goalkeeper Rankings - Women's 2019

Seniors

1. Mandy McGlynn (Virginia Tech) - 20
2. Ella Dederick (Washington State) - 23
3. Mikayla Krzeczowski (South Carolina) - 21
4. Jalen Tompkins (Colorado) - 22
5. Rylee Foster (West Virginia, Canada) - 20
6. Jaelyn Cunningham (Illinois) - 21
7. Emily Plotz (Stetson) - 21
8. Teagan Micah (UCLA, Australia) - 21
9. Heather Martin (Texas State) - 21
10. Amanda Fitzgerald (Fairleigh Dickinson) - 21

Make or beak: Mikayla Krzeczowski. It’s the classic question of “Can the undersized goalkeeper cover the whole goal?” The 5’6” senior was named first-team All-SEC last year but will likely need a repeat showing to convince NWSL teams she’s worth bringing in next spring. Krzeczowski is quick and is surprisingly explosive, although handling has been an issue as LSU fans might remember. If Krzeczowski comes in with strong hands, shows she can cover everything under the crossbar, and gets a little help from her teammates to make a deep run, Krzeczowski could hear her name called in January. Anything else, and she may be outside looking in this time next year.

Juniors

1. Emily Alvarado (TCU, Mexico) - 21
2. Sydney Schneider (UNC Wilmington, Jamaica) - 19
3. Kaylie Collins (USC) - 21
4. Hillary Beall (Michigan) - 20
5. Lysianne Proulx (Syracuse, Canada) - 20
6. Brooke Heinsohn (Duke) - 21
7. Laurel Ivory (Virginia) - 19
8. Nadine Maher (Southeastern Louisiana, Ireland) - 21
9. Emma Roccaforte (McNeese State) - 20
10. Katelyn McEachern (Youngstown State) - 21

Make or beak: Hillary Beall. Going into her junior year, Beall still only has 17 matches to her name as 2018 was derailed with a leg injury. Beall spent this summer with the UWS’s LA Galaxy Orange County and while the added playing time and training will surely boost her confidence heading into the fall, her main litmus test will be found in quick decision making. The 5’11” goalkeeper has no problem laying out for a full stretch, but angle play and 1v1s aren’t her strong suit. Coming off a championship run with the LA Galaxy Orange County in the UWS summer league, Beall isn’t a stranger to winning, but prepping herself for the 2021 NWSL draft is her latest challenge.

Sophomores

1. Hensley Hancuff (Villanova) - 18
2. Lauren Brzykcy (UCLA) - 19
3. Courtney O'Malley (UNC Asheville) - 19
4. Claudia Dickey (North Carolina) - 19
5. Mackenzie Wood (Northwestern) - 19
6. Lydia Kessel (Vermont) - 19
7. Brooke Bollinger (Florida State) - 19
8. Meagan McClelland (Rutgers) - 18
9. Madison Clem (Michigan State) - 20
10. Olivia Sekany (California) - 20

Make or beak: Olivia Sekany. While Brooke Bollinger might have a little bit of work to fend off redshirt senior Caroline Jeffers, Cal has their hands full with their goalkeeping situation. Rising sophomores Olivia Sekany and Amanda Zodikoff split time last year and US U17 goalkeeper Angelina Anderson joins them this fall. The U17 World Cup veteran arrives at Berkeley with enough prestige that immediately puts pressure on Sekany. As a former U18 goalkeeper, Sekany needs to show that last year’s 58% save percentage was an anomaly or else she may be playing second fiddle to a freshman goalkeeper.

Freshmen

1. Jenny Wahlen (Portland, Sweden) - 20
2. Angelina Anderson (California) - 18
3. Anna Leat (Georgetown, New Zealand) - 18
4. Emma Boutorwick (Toledo) - 18
5. Maggie Van Thullenar (Auburn) - 18
6. Kayza Massey (West Virginia, Canada) - 18
7. Heather Hinz (South Carolina) - 18
8. Maya Bellomo (Baylor) - 18
9. Katie Meyer (Stanford) - 19
10. Alisa Crooks (Alabama) - 18

Make or beak: Anna Leat. Freshmen have the luxury of time so Leat isn’t necessarily in a massive crunch. However, the New Zealander started in the U17 World Cup and needs to show Georgetown she’s worth the investment. Georgetown heavily relied on graduated senior Arielle Schechtman last season but enter this fall with an open net. If Leat can’t nail down the starting spot sooner than later, the Hoyas may start looking elsewhere with the future of the net.

Past Collegiate Goalkeeper Rankings

2018: Preseason and Final
2017: Preseason and Final
2016: Preseason and Final
2015: Preseason and Final

Cover photo from Hokiesports.com

2018 NCAA Women's Goalkeeper Rankings

Available video attached to each goalkeeper. If known highlights of a goalkeeper are not linked, please head over to the contact page to submit them.

Seniors

1. Lainey Burdett (Arizona)
2. Ella Dederick (Washington State)
3. Alison Jahansouz (Stanford)
4. Vera Varis (UCF, Finland)
5. Cosette Morche (Texas A&M)
6. Arielle Schechtman (Georgetown)
7. Kaelyn Johns (Dayton)
8. Paige Simoneau (San Jose State)
9. Rachel Lusby (Portland)
10. Sarah Le Beau (Auburn)

Bill says: The senior class takes a massive blow with Ella Dederick tearing her ACL back in September, which likely makes her draft status drop considerably. However if Dederick can make a full recovery, don’t be surprised to see her name pop up again next year as she’s displayed the ability to play at the next level. Jahansouz and Burdett look to headline the draft class, earning second and third team All-Pac-12 honors, respectively. Schechtman was named Goalkeeper of the Year in the Big East and after an undefeated regular season run with Georgetown, she could very well hear her name called next January. Going back to the start of the season, the stars aligned to see Lusby and Simoneau fight to a 0-0 double shutout at the tail end of August.

Juniors

1. Mikayla Krzeczowski (South Carolina)
2. Jalen Tompkins (Colorado)
3. Jaelyn Cunningham (Illinois)
4. Rylee Foster (West Virginia, Canada)
5. Sandy MacIver (Clemson, England)
6. Mandy McGlynn (Virginia Tech)
7. Haley Smith (Illinois State, Canada)
8. Amanda Fitzgerald (Fairleigh Dickinson)
9. Megan Bonelli (Marshall)
10. Teagan Micah (UCLA, Australia)

Bill says: If you’re compiling a shortlist of top goalkeepers in college soccer, you have to consider Krzeczowski. The 1st-team All-SEC goalkeeper has kept offenses at bay, allowing just 10 goals in 19 games. MacIver missed the start of Clemson’s season as she was a little busy finishing third in the U20 World Cup, saving a penalty or two along the way. Mandy McGlynn served as the backup for the American U20 side this past World Cup but perhaps more notably, led her college side to their first NCAA Tournament win since 2015. Unfortunately Foster and Smith weren’t able to suit up for Canada this summer as they failed to qualify for the tournament, but the two combined for 44 starts and 31 goals allowed, giving confidence to Canada’s future goalkeeping core.

Recently the NWSL has announced that underclassmen can be drafted. However with how tough it has been for goalkeepers to crack into the league in the past, it seems unlikely a goalkeeper will leave early.

Sophomores

1. Kaylie Collins (USC)
2. Brooke Heinsohn (Duke)
3. Emily Alvarado (TCU, Mexico)
4. Hillary Beall (Michigan)
5. Jennifer Wandt (Baylor)
6. Laurel Ivory (Virginia)
7. Lysianne Proulx (Syracuse, Canada)
8. McKinley Crone (Oklahoma)
9. Sydney Schneider (UNC Wilmington, Jamaica)
10. Sofia Manner (Stony Brook, Finland)

Bill says: Collins locks down the top spot with All-Pac-12 honors by having performances all season as she did against LSU this past weekend. Beall rebounded well from sustaining an injury that removed her from the U20 World Cup to starting the final ten matches for Michigan, allowing just 11 goals over that period. While it was a 2-0 loss, Alvarado showcased her abilities through her eight saves against Texas A&M, giving fans and opposing strikers just an idea of how much of the goal she can cover. Schneider was a crucial piece in helping Jamaica qualify for their first World Cup ever, keeping a shutout in an upset victory over Costa Rica.

Freshmen

1. Claudia Dickey (North Carolina)
2. Hensley Hancuff (Villanova)
3. Brooke Bollinger (Florida State)
4. Mackenzie Wood (Northwestern)
5. Lauren Brzykcy (UCLA)
6. Meagan McClelland (Rutgers)
7. Lydia Kessel (Vermont)
8. Samantha Estrada (SMU)
9. Zoe Clevely (Pepperdine)
10. Sydney Martinez (South Florida)

Bill says: Dickey split time with senior goalkeeper Samantha Leshnak but should be in position to take the starting spot for 2019. 6’3” Wildcat goalkeeper Hensley Hancuff looks to build off her freshman year that saw notch six wins in ten appearances. Northwestern’s season ended on a 1-0 loss to NC State but could have been a much larger scoreline had it not been for a number of Wood’s goal-denying saves. Martinez jumped into the starting role with USF without much of a hiccup, going 14-4 through the regular season, reaching the second round of the NCAA tournament.

Past Collegiate Goalkeeper Rankings

2015: Preseason and Final
2016: Preseason and Final
2017: Preseason and Final
2018: Preseason

cover photo from the University of Arizona

2018 NCAA Men's Goalkeeper Rankings

Available video attached to each goalkeeper. If known highlights of a goalkeeper are not linked, please head over to the contact page to submit them.

Seniors

1. Todd Morton (Delaware)
2. Rashid Nuhu (Fordham, Ghana)
3. Bobby Edwards (Mount St. Mary's)
4. Briley Guarneri (Colorado Mesa, D2)
5. Jimmy Hague (Michigan State)
6. Hendrik Hilpert (Syracuse, Germany)
7. Dylan Castanheira (Columbia)
8. Luis Barraza (Marquette)
9. Henry Stutz (Holy Cross)
10. Sawyer Jackman (UIC)

Bill says: We were all spoiled last year after we saw four goalkeepers selected in the first 21 picks of the 2018 MLS Draft so don’t expect a repeat as this class’ talent hails a little farther off the radar. While Morton and Edwards’ respective schools struggled to put together consistent performances, they have the size and mechanics MLS scouts are looking for. Nuhu should impress others with his feet, possessing the best distribution skills in the class. Barraza holds the possibility of a Real Salt Lake homegrown contract but spent the summer with in Chicago a few months ago. Guarneri notched 54 wins and 37 shutouts in his four-year career with Colorado Mesa, relying heavily on his Tim Melia-esque ability to track down a ball no matter the situation.

Juniors

1. Dayne St. Clair (Maryland, Canada) **
2. Jimmy Slayton (Hartford)
3. Parker Siegfried (Ohio State)
4. Jacob Harris (Colgate)
5. Wallis Lapsley (UC Davis)
6. Drake Callender (California)
7. Carlos Caro (Howard)
8. Sawyer Gaffney (Davidson)
9. Andreu Cases Mundet (Wake Forest, Spain)
10. Mertcan Akar (Old Dominion, Germany)

** - graduating early

Bill says: Most of the junior goalkeepers return from the preseason rankings although there are some newcomers. It looks like Canada’s top young goalkeeper won’t be returning next fall and with the CPL gearing up for their inaugural season, we could see him playing sooner than later. St. Clair (Red Bulls U23s) and Slayton (Ocean City) continued their success after spending the summer with prestigious PDL sides. While Siegfried holds a possible homegrown option with the Crew, the MLS side still doesn’t have a proper USL affiliate, which could complicate things down the line.

Sophomores

1. Chase Vosvick (Loyola Maryland)
2. Ben Hale (Furman)
3. Will Pulisic (Duke)
4. Trey Muse (Indiana)
5. Matt Freese (Harvard)
6. Carson Williams (Villanova)
7. Will Palmquist (Denver)
8. Colin Shutler (Virginia)
9. Noah Lawrence (Cincinnati)
10. Miha Miskovic (Northwestern, Serbia)

Bill says: Out of the four classes, the sophomores stand out with the most depth. Vosvick is in the running for top goalkeeper in all of college soccer. FC Dallas product Ben Hale has quietly done very well at Furman, maintaining a sub 1.0 goals allowed stat line through his first two years starting for the Paladins. Thomas has transitioned well from Watford’s academy system into three-time national champions’ set up. Despite splitting time with senior Nick Gardner, Will Palmquist won first-team honors within the Summit League.

Freshmen

1. Justin Garces (UCLA)
2. Andrew Thomas (Stanford, England)
3. George Tasouris (Grand Canyon, Cyprus)
4. Giannis Nikopolidis (Georgetown, Greece)
5. Adrian Fernandez (Oregon State, Spain)
6. George Marks (Clemson)
7. Christian Miesch (Stony Brook, Switzerland)
8. Quantrell Jones (UMBC)
9. Sam Ilin (LIU Brooklyn)
10. Ryan Curtis (Sacramento State)

Bill says: For those worried about international talent squeezing out the American player, don’t look at the freshmen class. Universities across the country have done an excellent job at identifying talented, young goalkeepers from all over Europe while the 1999’s and 2000’s were a little thin for the US. Garces, Jones, and Marks carry USYNT-filled resumes but all experienced their ups and down throughout the freshman season. Stanford (Matt Frank), Wake Forest (Dominic Peters), Ohio State (David Abonce), and UCLA (Cameron Douglas) possess talented freshmen who sat the bench but could resurface down the line, although with full rosters it may be a while until we hear from the MLS academy products again.

Past Collegiate Goalkeeper Rankings
2014: Final
2015: Preseason and Final
2016: Preseason and Final
2017: Preseason and Final
2018: Preseason

cover photo from bluehens.com