2020 NCAA Men's Goalkeeper Rankings (Winter Break)

cover photo from Duke University

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 MLS 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. Will Pulisic (Duke)
2. Chase Vosvick (Loyola Maryland)
3. Tor Saunders (Coastal Carolina)
4. Enrique Facusse (Kentucky, Honduras)
5. Jan Hoffelner (St. John's, Germany)
6. Ben Hale (Furman)
7. Matthew Rosenberg (Xavier)
8. Colin Shutler (Virginia)
9. Jake Gelnovatch (Louisville)
10. Noah Lawrence (Ohio State)
11. Carson Williams (Villanova)
12. Connor Gavigan (Florida Gulf Coast)
13. Will Palmquist (Denver)
14. TJ Bush (James Madison)
15. Drew Romig (Belmont)

One to watch: Tor Saunders. Saunders is a prototypical MLS 1.0 goalkeeper. He’s technically sound, he’s not afraid to leave his line, and he has the needed athleticism to cover both the high and low parts of the net. Despite coming out of the Seattle Sounders’ academy, Saunders had a relatively quiet start to his collegiate tenure. After three years at Akron, two of which he sat, Saunders transferred to Coastal Carolina and led the Chanticleers to a 6-1-1 record, as well as a Sun Belt Championship. If Saunders can carry on the success through the spring season, look for professional sides to try to bring him in for 2021.

Juniors

1. Andrew Thomas (Stanford)
2. Giannis Nikopolidis (Georgetown, Greece)
3. Justin Garces (UCLA)
4. Elian Haddock (Yale)
5. Quantrell Jones (UMBC)
6. George Tasouris (Grand Canyon, Cyprus)
7. Leon Krapf (NC State, Germany)
8. Dane Jacomen (Penn)
9. George Marks (Clemson)
10. Alex Budnik (Dartmouth)

One to watch: Elian Haddock. Talk to anyone who has watched Haddock over the past year and they’ll praise his game on a number of levels: strong hands, fluid movement, and willingness to put his body on the line. As he enters his junior year, the last box Haddock has to check is his ability to improv when plays break down. The 3-1 win over Dartmouth last fall showcased some of the high and low points to Haddock’s game. Multiple times in the game, Haddock showed confident handling and smooth footwork in the box. However, Haddock’s shutout is lost on an unorthodox chance on goal, where Haddock struggled to read the ball quick enough to drop step and push the lob over the bar. If Haddock can show more consistency in dealing with atypical situations, the Ivy Leaguer could make a run at the next level.

Sophomores

1. Kris Shakes (Penn State)
2. Tomas Romero (Georgetown, El Salvador)
3. Michael Collodi (Columbia)
4. Patrick Schulte (Saint Louis)
5. Roman Celentano (Indiana)
6. Sam Fowler (Washington)
7. Matt Zambetti (Virginia Tech)
8. Collin Travasos (California)
9. Ryan Bilichuk (South Carolina)
10. Justin Grady (George Washington)

One to watch: Kris Shakes. Somewhat counter to junior goalkeeper Elian Haddock, Shakes’ difficulties don’t seem to be found in his improvisational skills. Shakes has a great “nose for the ball” and combined with his explosive range, strikers should cherish the rare goal that slips past the Penn State goalkeeper. However, Shakes leans a little too heavily on throwing his body at the ball, often using it as his first and last option in stopping a chance on goal. The controlled chaos approach is reminiscent of Steve Clark and Bill Hamid but the veteran goalkeepers have a clear blueprint they work off, which strengthens their ability to react in a natural and fitting way for themselves. If Shakes can find a similar blueprint for himself, one that gives him more consistency yet doesn’t shackle his approach, MLS could prove to be a springboard for a career overseas.

Freshmen

1. Ryan Schewe (Georgetown)
2. James Lowell (Maryland)
3. Bryan Dowd (Notre Dame)
4. Brant Zulauf (Mercer)
5. Marco Saborio Perez (North Carolina, Costa Rica)
6. Josue Hangi (Akron)
7. John Harms (Duke)
8. Ethan Wood (Michigan)
9. Eliot Jones (Stanford)
10. Alex Rando (Virginia)

One to watch: Bryan Dowd. Dowd was one of four freshmen invited to SKC’s college combine this fall, joining a senior-heavy group to showcase their talent to professional scouts. The Notre Dame backup didn’t see any minutes this fall but the USYNT product will likely take over the starting position next year. Dowd has an interesting blend of power and speed but, as of right now, it’s unforeseen how long he’ll stay with the Fighting Irish.

Past Collegiate Goalkeeper Rankings

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

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

How Marcus Hahnemann Made a Small Club Dare to Dream

cover photo from Reading FC

Across the Atlantic, soccer is more of a religion than a sport. With four main divisions in English league soccer, and hundreds of minor teams below them aiming to climb the ladder, it is always a special moment when a team reaches the Premier League for the very first time. Back in 2006, it was the turn of Berkshire club Reading to experience that unique feeling of magic, and another vindication of America’s ability to produce top-class goalkeepers. Marcus Hahnemann was the man between the sticks, enjoying a raft of shutouts in a vintage 2005/06 season as Reading were promoted to the Premier League as champions, with a then-record 106 points.

Marcus Hahnemann played for Reading 276 times from 2002 to 2009 and earned 9 caps with the US National Team during his career. (Image: Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Hahnemann and Reading: The Unlikeliest Match

Ask any soccer fan to describe a second-tier goalkeeper in England and their description would be that of a thirty-something ex-Premier League player, grizzled, sturdy, and possibly a fan of soft rock. Hahnemann broke that stereotype with gusto. More of a UFC fighter – with his iconic goatee, bald head, and love of heavy metal band Five Finger Death Punch – he gave Reading a hitherto-unseen degree of ‘cool’ in a brave new millennium.

In truth, Hahnemann’s promotion with Reading was not his first, as he had been a backup keeper for Fulham in their own promotion season of 2000/01. Edwin van der Sar was then signed to safeguard Fulham’s top-flight calling, and it worked, leaving Hahnemann seeking a new club. Fulham had risen from the depths of Division Three (now ‘EFL League Two’) – only the fourth-highest league in England – inside just five years. Alan Pardew had similarly lofty ambitions for Reading, though they had been in Division Two (now ‘EFL League One’) for four years all the way up until the end of 2001/02. But once Reading reached the top division, they held their own in a league containing giants such as Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea, all of whom will command consistently short odds in the latest moneyline and outright betting markets for UK soccer.

2002/03 – A Near-Miss Breakthrough

Back in 1998, Reading had moved to a new stadium, with the resources from John Madejski (hence the ‘Madejski Stadium’) enabling the club to rebuild after years of struggle. Where once there was a noxious landfill, now stood a towering stadium that was light years ahead of old ground Elm Park, and in need of Premier League action.

That demand was very nearly fulfilled in Hahnemann’s very first season at Reading, but they fell well short of second place (and automatic promotion to the Premier League), putting some of Hahnemann’s most precious moments with the club on ice. Much of this is down to a dreadful start, which saw Reading lose three of their opening four games, with Phil Whitehead conceding two or more goals in every defeat. Also alarming was the fact that the first two conceded goals of each loss saw the first and second goals against Reading separated by no more than seven minutes.

Pardew wasted no time in putting Hahnemann in goal, and it worked wonders. Reading immediately scored three shutouts, taking two wins and a tie. September brought a couple of bumps in the road, but the defence improved rapidly. After a 1-0 defeat at Preston on October 26, 2002, Hahnemann kept seven clean sheets, sending Reading soaring up the table.

2003- 2005 – Reading Rollercoaster Begins

Reading’s form through the 2002/03 season remained assured for the remainder of the campaign, yielding fourth place, and home advantage in the second leg of a two-legged promotion playoff. However, a double of defeats to Wolves in the promotion playoff semi-finals destroyed their hopes of a second successive promotion. The following two seasons saw finishes of ninth and seventh, narrowly missing promotional playoffs, and proved to be a double-dip of sophomore slumps after Hahnemann’s strong maiden season.

Although results had improved under Steve Coppell, who had been appointed in October 2003, Reading was still without a reliable strike partner for Dave Kitson. Opposing teams would play further forward, doing so with less fear, and making Hahnemann’s job ever more difficult. That all changed when Coppell used his connections to Ireland, signing attacking duo Kevin Doyle and Shane Long from Cork City, to give Reading some considerable pace and composure up front.

A 0-0 draw at Old Trafford on the first weekend of 2007/08 is one of Marcus Hahnemann’s greatest games. To this day, he is still the last Premier League goalkeeper to keep a clean sheet on the opening weekend against reigning titleholders.

2005/06 – Irish Power Makes the Difference

In the end, Kitson and Doyle bagged 18 league goals apiece, contributing to Reading’s eventual tally of 99. Hahnemann was at his absolute peak as well, with only Preston conceding fewer goals across the 46-game season. Hahnemann kept a shutout rate of nearly 50%, memorably conceding just once across seven league games in the winter of 2005.

Reading enjoyed a solid run to 8th place in the following league campaign. Although they could not stay in the topflight long-term, being relegated in their second season, there can be no doubt that Hahnemann deserves his place in Premier League lore alongside other great American goalkeepers such as Brad Friedel, Tim Howard and Kasey Keller.

1 April 2006: Reading thrash Derby 5-0 to seal the Championship title with four weeks to spare.

Three USL Goalkeepers Ready for MLS

With so many backup goalkeepers making their mark in MLS this season, it’s no secret that there’s a plethora of talent across the country ready to take on a little more responsibility. USL expansion has created more chances for goalkeepers to prove their merit, as proven by the fact that all three of the listed goalkeepers are with teams that were founded in the last five years. As we head into 2021, don’t be surprised if you see one of these goalkeepers with a new team and playing in the US’s top league.

Sean Lewis (Tulsa FC, 28)

MLS equivalent: Sean Johnson
Highlights

Lewis’ rise to prominence has almost a fairytale story. After finishing his time in the collegiate ranks (starting at Western Michigan before transferring to Oakland for his senior year) he bounced around with some PDL, NPSL, and NASL teams for years before finally landing in the USL. Lewis was on track to become a lifelong backup before capturing the starting spot with Penn FC, where he springboarded to Tulsa FC.

Tulsa had relied heavily on Lewis to qualify for the 2020 playoffs as he’s only conceded an astonishing 16 goals in 15 games. Lewis’ game is similar to New York City FC’s Sean Johnson, who plays deep on his line but has the quickness and bravery to shut down dangerous situations in the box. It’s been a long road to this point but if there’s one word to describe Lewis’ trajectory to 2020, it’s determination.

Logan Ketterer (El Paso Locomotive, 26)

MLS equivalent: Tyler Miller
Highlights

Despite remaining almost exclusively on the bench for his two years with the Columbus Crew, Ketterer rebounded well by signing with the newly minted El Paso Locomotive in hopes of showing what the Crew missed out on. There’s something to be said about a player who’s willing to bet on themselves and Ketterer has done just that. After a stellar collegiate career at Bradley University, Ketterer took the first-year club to the 2019 USL semifinal before a goal in extra time ended their run.

Now after back-to-back trips to the playoffs in both 2019 and 2020, Ketterer is due an upgrade in responsibility. Ketterer and Tyler Miller have some parallels, with both utilizing their mobility and lanky frame to cover a surprising amount of the goalmouth. Ketterer has been counted out by MLS thus far but another positive post-season run could put him back on MLS teams’ radars.

Kyle Morton (St. Louis FC, 26)

MLS equivalent: Will Hesmer
Highlights

For the old-timers out there, Morton’s play is reminiscent of Will Hesmer. It’s a combination of patience and strength to see tough situations all the way through, not conceding weak goals down the middle. Although Morton’s play isn’t flashy, he’s a difficult goalkeeper for strikers to figure out. Fundamentals and not overplaying his hand are pillars to Morton’s game, showing why turn of the century American goalkeepers were successful without having lightning-fast reflexes.

At 26, Morton has his best years ahead of him. Although St. Louis will join MLS in 2023, don’t be surprised if Morton leaves the USL a little early to show off just how high his ceiling actually is.