7 of the Best NCAA Goalkeepers to Watch in 2024
Goalkeepers are always unsung heroes who never truly get their due. If you make the saves you’re supposed to make, you did your job. But your skill is questioned if you miss even one save or make one mistake. It takes a lot to be a high level goalkeeper, the mental aspect is just as important as the physical traits. These top college keepers all have that, and all have the opportunity to be excellent pros as they continue to dominate the college game. Here are seven of the best NCAA goalkeepers to watch in 2024.
Ryan Campbell – UCLA, Senior
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Ryan Campbell is considered the best college goalkeeper on one of the best teams in the country. The Stanford transfer came to UCLA after helping the Cardinal get to the national title game last year and is looking to do the same for UCLA. Campbell has nine shutouts in 13 games this season. She was the PAC-12 goalkeeper of the year last season and is the surefire favorite to win Big 10 Goalkeeper of the Year this season. NWSL teams looking for goalkeepers will definitely be pursuing her in free agency.
Pauline Nelles – Arizona State, Junior
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Right behind Ryan Campbell is Pauline Nelles, who has emerged in just two seasons at Arizona State. Germany is known for producing great goalkeepers, and Nelles might be next. She’s undoubtedly going to end up on the senior German National Team one day, and she’s been elite this season as well. Nelles already has five shutouts this season and is set to surpass the nine shutouts she had last year. The German keeper might stay in school for another year, but if there’s enough interest from pro teams, she could leave Tempe after this year. Arizona State is among the best in the Big 12, with Nelles leading the way in the back.
Emily Puricelli – Saint Louis, Senior
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Emily Puricelli is part of a Saint Louis team that has dominated the A-10 over the last few seasons. Puricelli is the all-time school leader in wins and shutouts and has a chance to become the all-time saves leader. Last year, she had a phenomenal 86% save percentage with 11 shutouts and is at the same 86% save percentage this season. The homegrown product is set to help the Billikens go for a deep run in the NCAA Tournament and is sure to be on a pro team somewhere next year.
Lynette Hernaez – BYU, Sophomore
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After receiving no playing time at Washington State, Lynette Hernaez transferred to BYU and has been their starter ever since. Hernaez’s numbers don’t stand out at the moment because they’ve had one of the most demanding schedules in the country, starting the season with a ranking in the Top 5. Hernaez getting this experience as a sophomore shows her skill level and how much her coaches trust her. Few goalies that are underclassmen get this kind of opportunity in a power five conference, there’s plenty of skill there. BYU will be back at the rankings at some point this season, and Hernaez will be one of the reasons for this.
Teagan Wy – California, Junior
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Teagan Wy is fresh off being the starter for the USWNT U-20 team at the World Cup. That experience will be invaluable for her as she heads back to Cal Berkeley. This will be her year to shine and emerge as one of the best keepers in the ACC. As a freshman, she played behind current Angel City goalkeeper Angelina Anderson and, last year, started in all 19 games, but Cal didn’t have as great of a team to help her out. Wy managed to be Third-Team All PAC-12 and now has a chance to showcase her skills in a loaded ACC. Expectations will be high, but she will surely break out as the next big collegiate goalkeeping star.
Jaime Gerstenberg – Indiana, Senior
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Jaime Gerstenberg won Big 10 Goalkeeper of the Year as a junior, highlighting her prowess in the net. Gerstenberg has pro experience playing for FFC Turbine Potsdam in the Frauen Bundesliga before coming to Bloomington. Playing at a pro club before coming to the Big 10 to play against college players must have been a cakewalk. Indiana’s offense hasn’t been able to help her much within a tough schedule, but Gerstenberg still managed to record ten shutouts last year and four this year. As mentioned before, Germany knows what they’re doing with their goalkeepers, and Gerstenberg is sure to play in the Bundesliga if she doesn’t end up in the NWSL.
Breanna Norris – Portland, Senior
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Breanna Norris became the first Portland goalkeeper to win WCC Goalkeeper of the Year. Considering the pedigree of Portland’s program, it is a welcome surprise for Norris and the Pilots. It was well deserved as Norris managed double-digit shutouts in consecutive seasons and has three this season with a career-best 86% save percentage in a tougher schedule. The WCC welcomed a few teams from the defunct PAC-12, which boosts the conference’s profile and will help Norris’s pro prospects tremendously. If she keeps this up, she will get some looks from some pro teams or come back for one more season as a graduate senior if not.
Featured image via @calwsoc
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