2020 NCAA Women's Goalkeeper Rankings (Winter Break)

The fall season concludes this November but a number of question marks still loom as we head into the spring season. As to how the NWSL draft and final months of the college season will unfold, it’s anyone’s guess. As of now, the top goalkeepers are listed below, as rated by Everybody Soccer, but it should be noted that about half the goalkeepers haven’t played a competitive collegiate game in over a year.

Seniors

1. Emily Alvarado (TCU, Mexico)
2. Hillary Beall (Michigan)
3. Emma Roccaforte (McNeese State)
4. Sydney Schneider (UNC Wilmington, Jamaica)
5. Shelby Hogan (Providence)
6. Laurel Ivory (Virginia)
7. Claire Howard (Montana)
8. Madison Less (Cincinnati)
9. Kaylie Collins (USC)
10. Jessica Berlin (NC State)

One to watch: Emily Alvarado. The TCU senior goalkeeper led the Horned Frogs to the school’s first-ever Big 12 title this fall. Alvarado plays with a lot of strength in her game and can cover the goalmouth with ease. She’s also rounded out some of the finer points of her game quite nicely, as demonstrated by her conceding just three goals in nine games.

This past February, Alvarado squared off against the USWNT in the 2020 Olympic Qualifying and although Mexico fell short in a 4-0 loss in the semifinal, Mexico might be a headache for the US going forward. So far, the US-Mexico rivalry has been about as lopsided as it can get - with Mexico’s 2010 lone win in 39 matches upending the USWNT in 2010 World Cup qualifying - but the El Paso-born goalkeeper may just be a thorn in the side for the USWNT for years to come.

Juniors

1. Hensley Hancuff (Clemson)
2. Bridgette Skiba (Oregon State)
3. Claudia Dickey (North Carolina)
4. Meagan McClelland (Rutgers)
5. Mattison Interian (Notre Dame)
6. Mackenzie Wood (Northwestern)
7. Lauren Brzykcy (UCLA)
8. Brooke Bollinger (Florida State)
9. Olivia Sekany (Washington)
10. Sydney Smith (Boise State)

One to watch: Olivia Sekany. As a redshirt freshman, Sekany was a part of Cal’s platooned goalkeeper position in 2018. With a 5-12-2 record, it’s needless to say it was a rough season for Cal, with Sekany scrapping out a concerning .578 save percentage. Cal fans would witness a massive turnaround in 2019 as the team went 13-5-3 with heralded freshman goalkeeper Angelina Anderson in net, although Sekany finished with only 45 minutes on the year. Although the numbers didn’t support Sekany, it was clear the USYNT alum got behind the eight ball at the start of her college career and didn’t get a chance to display her best work. Sekany has since transferred to the University of Washington for a fresh restart, where she’ll face off against Cal in Pac-12 conference play. The former Cal goalkeeper is lacking momentum but a second lease on the position may make her a notable senior this time next year.

Sophomores

1. Ruthie Jones (Duke)
2. Angelina Anderson (California)
3. Anna Leat (Georgetown, New Zealand)
4. Katie Meyer (Stanford)
5. Heather Hinz (South Carolina)
6. Kayza Massey (West Virginia, Canada)
7. Marz Josephson (North Carolina)
8. Lindsey Romig (Tennessee)
9. AJ Crooks (Alabama)
10. Jenny Wahlen (Portland, Sweden)

One to watch: Ruthie Jones. Jones plays like she’s eyeing a spot on the US Women’s National Team. She has strong hands, can cover the height and the width of the goal, and possess a methodical set position with fluid positioning to match. Her composure in goal is one of the best in all of college soccer and she seems to thrive on competition, rising to the challenge more often than not. She still has work to do when it comes to figuring out what best works for her on breakaways and when the play breaks down in the box, but she’s on a strong track where fans will be shorted if they don’t see a goalkeeper with her ability eventually end up in the NWSL.

Freshmen

1. Maria Echezarreta (NC State, Spain)
2. Leah Freeman (Oregon)
3. Alia Skinner (Virginia Tech)
4. Ryan Campbell (Stanford)
5. Cristina Roque (Florida State, Puerto Rico)
6. Stephanie Sparkowski (Michigan)
7. Rachael Black (Colorado)
8 Wiebke Willebrandt (Boston College, Germany)
9. Emma Wakeman (Charlotte)
10. Macy Enneking (Iowa)

One to watch: Cristina Roque. Roque’s play is reminiscent of Lindsey Harris (UNC, Houston Dash) and Steve Clark (Portland Thorns). Opting to use her speed to keep the ball out of the net, Roque has a certain amount of “scramblingness” to her style as a goalkeeper. Perhaps a little undersized at 5’7”, she has a surprising amount of spring to her step that helps her cover the crossbar with ease. While Roque looks strong in a number of situations, crosses into the box seem to be her Achilles' heel. If the Puerto Rican goalkeeper can find a little more consistency and round out her game, she may be able to top her 2020 All-ACC Second Team accolade in her sophomore season.

Past Collegiate Goalkeeper Rankings

2019: Preseason and Final
2018: Preseason and Final
2017: Preseason and Final
2016: Preseason and Final
2015: Preseason and Final

2019 NCAA Men's Goalkeeper Rankings

cover photo belongs to Al Sermeno, KLC fotos

Seniors

1. Drake Callender (California)
2. Paul-Andre Guerin (CSUF, France)
3. Anthony Mwembia (Bowling Green, France)
4. Albert Escuin (California Baptist, Spain)
5. Jimmy Slayton (Hartford)
6. Parker Siegfried (Ohio State)
7. Tim Trilk (Western Illinois)
8. Jacob Harris (Colgate)
9. Wallis Lapsley (UC Davis)
10. Carlos Caro (Howard)
11. Remi Prieur (St. Mary's)
12. Nathan Wisbey (Bradley)
13. Elliot Panicco (Charlotte)
14. Keegan Meyer (High Point)
15. Vincent Durand (NC State)

Most improved: Drake Callender. No, it’s not because Callender already has his professional track sorted out before he’s finished his college career, although that doesn’t hurt his case. The Golden Bear goalkeeper has the ability to cover every corner of the goal, as well as the 18 yard box, through his Stretch Armstrong-inspired frame and 0-60 acceleration. However, for all the goals he’s prevented, Callender’s thorn in his side revolves around him overusing his athleticism. Whether it’s taking one too many steps when facing a breakaway or not utilizing a quick shuffle before a dive, Callender would benefit from adding more nuances to his footwork and relying less on his athleticism to solve every problem. If he can make the adjustments, he’ll make a potent challenge for all the offensive firepower in MLS. If he can’t, don’t expect him to gain many minutes outside of USL.

Juniors

1. Paul Tyson (Georgia State, England)
2. Yannik Oettl (UCF, Germany)
3. Chase Vosvick (Loyola Maryland)
4. Jake Gelnovatch (Louisville)
5. Jahmali Waite (Fairleigh Dickinson, Jamaica)
6. Matthew Rosenberg (Xavier)
7. Andrew Pannenberg (Wake Forest)
8. Noah Lawrence (Cincinnati)
9. Alec Smir (North Carolina)
10. Colin Shutler (Virginia)

Most improved: Paul Tyson. The English goalkeeper has most certainly been tracking Jordan Pickford when discovering his own style of play, except add a few inches to Tyson’s frame. At 6’7”, Tyson can cover a foot above the goal with ease yet somehow get low on shots from close range with either his hands or feet. His handling ability isn’t exceptional but his use of his entire body makes up for some sloppy rebounds he may give away. Tyson will struggle to find a job as a goalkeeper in the United States after graduation but with more professional options each year, the Georgia State goalkeeper has shown up at a good time.

Sophomores

1. Andrew Thomas (Stanford)
2. Giannis Nikopolidis (Georgetown, Greece)
3. Quantrell Jones (UMBC)
4. Hunter Morse (Michigan State)
5. George Tasouris (Grand Canyon, Cyprus)
6. George Marks (Clemson)
7. Elian Haddock (Yale)
8. Daniel Husa (Gardner-Webb, Norway)
9. Sam Ilin (Marist)
10. Justin Garces (UCLA)

Most improved: Quantrell Jones. Coming back from his freshman year, Jones looks about fifteen pounds lighter and has clearly worked on his footwork to minimize excessive movement on multi-step runs. The added agility has aided Jones on post-to-post plays and 1v1s, although the latter can look a little like he’s simply winging it at times. Moving forward, Jones’ potential is hard to pin down. He checks a lot of boxes but he still needs to face more high-pressure situations to continue his development. If Jones makes a similar jump from his sophomore-to-junior year as he did last offseason, the world is his oyster. But if he rests laurels as a USYNT alum, the UMBC goalkeeper will be an extremely polarizing figure for his final two years.

Freshmen

1. Kris Shakes (Penn State)
2. Patrick Schulte (Saint Louis)
3. Tomas Romero (Georgetown, El Salvador)
4. Dane Jacomen (George Washington)
5. Michael Collodi (Columbia)
6. Niklas Neumann (Maryland, Germany)
7. Nate Holladay (UNC Asheville)
8. Martin Sanchez (Northern Illinois)
9. Owen Finnerty (Michigan)
10. Oren Asher (Rutgers, Israel)

Most improved: Owen Finnerty. Finnerty didn’t make his first collegiate start in an easy fashion. Filling in for an injured senior, Andrew Verdi, Finnerty would help aide the Wolverines to an unbeaten finish in 2019, allowing just three goals in 484 minutes of play. The freshmen class is still very fluid at this point, but it’s hard to bet against an undefeated freshman goalkeeper with the 13th seed in the national tournament. Finnerty plays with a lot of passion and heart so whether the young Michigander is featured in 2019 postseason play or not, expect to get accustomed to seeing Finnerty’s name in headlines in the near future.

Past Collegiate Goalkeeper Rankings

2019: Preseason
2018: Preseason and Final
2017: Preseason and Final
2016: Preseason and Final
2015: Preseason and Final
2014: Final

2019 NCAA Women's Goalkeeper Rankings

cover photo from hokiesports.com

Seniors

1. Mandy McGlynn (Virginia Tech)
2. Sophia Brown (Cal Poly)
3. Mikayla Krzeczowski (South Carolina)
4. Jalen Tompkins (Colorado)
5. Rylee Foster (West Virginia, Canada)
6. Haley Smith (Illinois State, Canada)
7. Jaelyn Cunningham (Illinois)
8. Sandy MacIver (Clemson, England)
9. Heather Martin (Texas State)
10. Amanda Fitzgerald (Fairleigh Dickinson)
11. Brittany Wilson (Denver)
12. Courtenay Kaplan (Radford)
13. Ella Dederick (Washington State)
14. Amanda Knaub (Monmouth)
15. Teagan Micah (UCLA, Australia)

Most improved: Sophia Brown. Often overlooked, Brown is akin to a Swiss Army knife. The 5'8” Mustang goalkeeper possesses a shocking range when stretching out to cover the post, as well as a surprising amount of quickness to put pressure on strikers in 1v1 situations. While her athleticism allows her to cover shots that many can’t reach, Brown does have a knack for overcomplicating plays by relying on brute force instead of technical or tactical foundations, most notably on crossing situations. The senior class is overflowing with talent this year - take note of the 15 goalkeepers who are all ready for the next level - but Brown has an upside that if properly tapped into, could make a run at the world’s top leagues.

Juniors

1. Sydney Schneider (UNC Wilmington, Jamaica)
2. Emily Alvarado (TCU, Mexico)
3. Hillary Beall (Michigan)
4. Kaylie Collins (USC)
5. Emma Roccaforte (McNeese State)
6. Laurel Ivory (Virginia)
7. Jessica Berlin (NC State)
8. Melody Jayroe (Liberty)
9. Shelby Hogan (Providence)
10. Madison Less (Cincinnati)

Most improved: Hillary Beall. Rewind back to August of 2018, Beall is being erased from the U20 World Cup roster at the eleventh hour due to an untimely injury. While she was able to return to the field before 2018 came to a close, the USYNT goalkeeper was already facing questions about her longevity just halfway through her collegiate. But building off a strong summer run with the LA Galaxy OC - also known as the current 2019 UWS champions - Beall was rewarded with 3rd Team All-Big Ten honors as she played every minute in goal for Michigan this fall. Beall still has some work to do in close range situations, where she can’t rely as heavily on her 5’11” frame to make the save, but if she can continue her healthy streak she’ll have her pick of doors to walk through this time next year.

Sophomores

1. Claudia Dickey (North Carolina)
2. Meagan McClelland (Rutgers)
3. Bridgette Skiba (Oregon State)
4. Hensley Hancuff (Villanova)
5. Mackenzie Wood (Northwestern)
6. Sydney Martinez (South Florida)
7. Kamryn Stablein (Delaware)
8. Brooke Bollinger (Florida State)
9. Anna Smith (USC)
10. Marisa Bova (Purdue)

Most improved: Bridgette Skiba. It’s hard to believe the Oregon State turned around a two-win 2018 season into just nearly missing the 2019 national tournament. The Beavers went 11-6-2, thanks in large part to Skiba’s NASA-esque statistical skyrocket. After finishing her freshman year with a 2.58 goals allowed average, Skiba returned for her sophomore year with a vengeance, posting a 0.98 GAA through 20 games. Skiba is now quicker, more intentional with her movement through the box, and has honed her reactions to cover every inch under the crossbar.

Freshmen

1. Kayza Massey (West Virginia, Canada)
2. Alisa Crooks (Alabama)
3. Lindsey Romig (Tennessee)
4. Angelina Anderson (California)
5. Marz Josephson (North Carolina)
6. Tatum Sutherland (SMU)
7. Lauren Kozal (Michigan State)
8. Anna Leat (Georgetown, New Zealand)
9. Kat Asman (Penn State)
10. Jenny Wahlen (Portland, Sweden)

Most improved: Alisa Crooks. Whoever was Crooks’ goalkeeper coach during her time through high school deserves some recognition. To walk into an SEC program as a true freshman and post a 6-3-2 record while spitting time with a junior is no easy task, yet Alabama witnessed it first-hand. Her movement in even the slightest actions is a result of countless hours of molding a specific technical and tactical game plan. Crooks has some work ahead of her to get to a level of athleticism that many of her peers are already at, but she’s certainly in the 1% when it comes to consistency, mechanics, and decision making when compared to the freshmen class.

Past Collegiate Goalkeeper Rankings

2019: Preseason
2018: Preseason and Final
2017: Preseason and Final
2016: Preseason and Final
2015: Preseason and Final

The 30 Greatest Goalkeepers in Women's College Soccer History

cover photo from Colorado Springs Sports

Earlier in the year, Stan Anderson and Bill Reno released their top men’s collegiate goalkeepers of all-time. This month, Everybody Soccer presents the thirty greatest goalkeepers in NCAA history, specifically looking at the division one program. Rankings were based on collegiate accolades, overall ability, and team success during their tenure.

1. Janine Szpara (Colorado College, 85-88)
2. Erin McLeod (SMU, 01-02 / Penn State, 04-05)
3. Jen Renola (Notre Dame, 93-96)
4. Hope Solo (Washington, 99-02)
5. Nicole Barnhart (Stanford, 00-04)
6. Emily Shaw (Penn State, 98-01)
7. Heather Taggart (Wisconsin, 88-91)
8. Briana Scurry (Mass, 89-93)
9. Joan Schockow (Cortland State, 80-83)
10. Siri Mullinix (UNC, 95-98)

11. Alyssa Naeher (Penn State, 06-09)
12. Kristin Luckenbill (Dartmouth, 97-00)
13. Aubrey Bledsoe (Wake Forest, 10-13)
14. Marianne Johnson (UNC, 79-82)
15. Shelley Finger (UNC, 91-93)
16. Jaime Pagliarulo (George Mason, 95-98)
17. Ashlyn Harris (UNC, 06-09)
18. Kim Wyant (UCF, 82-85)
19. Tracy Noonan (UNC, 92-95)
20. Adrianna Franch (Oklahoma State, 09-12)

21. Mary Harvey (California, 83-86)
22. Valerie Henderson (UCLA, 04-07)
23. Kim Maslin-Kammerdeiner (George Mason, 83-86)
24. LaKeysia Beene (Notre Dame, 96-99)
25. Saskia Webber (Rutgers, 89-92)
26. Skye Eddy (Mass, 89-92 / George Mason, 93)
27. Amy Griffin (UCF, 84-87)
28. Jillian Loyden (Villanova, 04-07)
29. Jenni Branam (UNC, 99-02)
30. Jen Mead (Providence, 91-92 / George Mason, 94)

The Early Years

The only four-time first-team All-American goalkeeper to emerge out of the NCAA system happened in the very first decade. Janine Szpara, who would later represent the USWNT and continue her pro career into her 30s, reached a level no other college goalkeeper has yet to match. But before Szpara suited up for Colorado College, two-time national champion Marianna Johnson was the first in a long line of successful UNC goalkeepers, six of which are featured on the list. UCF is another school with a decorated goalkeeping lineage. Their run in the ‘80s, highlighted by their 1982 runner-up finish, was largely backed by premier goalkeeping from Kim Wyant and Amy Griffin, née Allmann.

Even though Mary Harvey would later go on to help the US win their first World Cup and Kim Maslin-Kammerdeiner’s performance against UNC would go on to impress USWNT head coach Anson Dorrance, it was ultimately Joan Schockow who left college with a mountain of awards. Schockow earned two first-teams as well as two third-team All-American recognitions during her four years, establishing herself as one of the first premier goalkeepers in women’s soccer.

Without a professional league until 2001, many goalkeepers scrambled to find homes after their senior year and Heather Taggart was no exception. After putting Wisconsin on the map, and wreaking havoc on the Badgers’ record books with 52 shutouts in her four years, she would cap off her final year with a first-team All-American award and a runner-up finish in the 1991 National Championship before turning to a life in the medical field.

Building Towards 1999

While Briana Scurry casts a large shadow on goalkeeping in the 90s, several athletes finished their career with a plethora of accolades. UMass presented a great example of overflowing talent as the university once held the two best goalkeepers in the country at the same time. Heading into her final year of eligibility, Sky Eddy would graduate from UMass and play her fifth year at George Mason, where she would promptly win All-American honors over senior UMass goalkeeper Briana Scurry. The two once teammates won first and second-team All-American, respectively, in 1993.

A bulk of goalkeeping starts for the national team also came out of the ‘90s. Scurry (175), Mullinix (45), Webber (23), Noonan (24), Beene (18), Luckenbill (14), Mead (6) and Pagliarulo (3) were all featured with the senior team after successful collegiate campaigns. And even though they didn’t receive a cap with the national team, Shelley Finger’s three national champions and Jen Renola’s NCAA 25th Anniversary Team recognition showcase their talent before the professional game gave collegiate players an avenue to continue playing after college.

New Century Ushers in New Talent

After facing an unbearable level of homophobia while at her first school, McLeod finished on a high note after transferring to Penn State, where she won first and second All-American honors (2005 and 2004, respectively) as well as a semifinal finish in her senior year. McLeod would go on to face Hope Solo and the USWNT many times over the next ten years, but McLeod wasn’t Solo’s first time competing against a Nittany Lion. Emily Shaw (née Oleksiuk) is a two-time All-American, including the 2000 honor where Solo was relegated to the second All-American team. Shaw would go on to earn two caps with the US national team before retiring after her 2002 season with the Carolina Courage.

Barnhart, Loyden, Harris, and Naeher all earned fame from the international careers, but Branam and Henderson combined for six final fours between the two of them. Branam, who would play as late as 2011 with Sky Blue, won two national championships with UNC while Henderson finished with 76 wins to her name during her tenure at UCLA as well as a spot with the 2006 U20 squad.

Modern Goalkeepers Take the Lead

As the decade comes to a close, two goalkeepers from the last ten years have stood out among the rest of the field. Oklahoma State alum Adrianna Franch has been featured with a national team camp numerous times, earning her first cap in 2018. Franch, a two-time first-team All-American, could be joined by Aubrey Bledsoe as the next US goalkeeper to earn her first cap with the national team. Bledsoe led Wake Forest to a 2011 semifinal finish, the school’s lone College Cup appearance, and was included in three different All-American squads during her career.