Top 5 Goals: U-20 Women’s World Cup, Women’s ICC, NCAA Soccer Week 1

August 23, 2022
By Rohtas Wadera

2022 has to be remembered as the summer for Women’s Soccer. Not only did the Euro just wrap up, but there was the Women’s ICC, the Women’s Cup, NWSL, the U-20 World Cup, and NCAA Soccer all in the same week! It’s awesome to see how far the game has evolved and become more visible over the last couple of years. With so many options, the list has been whittled down to five. Please enjoy another fantastic list of the best women’s soccer goals from the U-20 Women’s World Cup, Women’s International Champions Cup, and NCAA Soccer Week One.

5. Linda Caicedo – Columbia U-20

Colombia with the quick response! 🇨🇴

They equalize at 1-1 against New Zealand 💪 pic.twitter.com/KAoxpojbKG

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) August 16, 2022

Linda Caicedo is one of the bright young stars of the tournament and is a name we all need to remember for the future. At just 17 years of age, she’s already made an impact in her domestic league and is doing so on the world stage as well. So don’t be surprised to see her in a Barcelona or Real Madrid jersey one day.

Caicedo has so much confidence on the ball. Her quick feet created the space needed to go for the spectacular shot. Caicedo’s shot curled away from the keeper and had the dip to go up and over to find the back of the net. Her future is as bright as anyone’s in women’s soccer right now.

4. Mégane Hoeltzel – France U-20

FRANCE TAKES THE LEAD IN EXTRA TIME! 🇫🇷

Mégane Hoeltzel with the finish! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/tK73uWr6DK

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) August 22, 2022

France was so close to advancing to the semifinals after scoring this goal in extra time. The technique on this strike is picture-perfect. The way that Mégane Hoeltzel lined herself up for the shot was key and allowed her to keep her knee over the ball. The ball arrowed in from long range without any deviation. By the time the keeper reacted, the shot was past her and in the net.

This is how to strike a ball and to see it at the U-20 level is exciting because the quality of these young women is getting better and better on the pitch.

3. Sam Kerr – Chelsea

SAM KERR’S GOAL IN SPANISH IS ALL THE ENERGY WE CAME FOR ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ pic.twitter.com/Gxo6JiaJ7Z

— Women's International Champions Cup (@iccwomen) August 18, 2022

Sam Kerr makes it look so easy it’s almost unfair. Her pace, movement, and timing in unison make her unguardable. Getting in behind defenses that use a high line is something she’s done with ease; this goal is no exception.

The first touch off her chest was perfect and set her up for the cheeky chip over the goalkeeper from just outside the box. The finesse needed not to hit the ball too hard is critical otherwise, it goes over the goal. Sam Kerr better be on the final list for Ballon D’Or nominees; she’s been that good this year.

2. Lindsey Horan – Lyon

YES, YES. Horan is the winner. What a goaaal 💥 pic.twitter.com/at56CzAHqF

— Women's International Champions Cup (@iccwomen) August 18, 2022

Lindsey Horan returned to Portland in a different jersey, but that didn’t stop Portland fans from cheering for her. Lyon was trailing Chelsea 2-0 and needed a spark with less than 20 minutes to go.

A free kick opportunity presented itself right outside the box, and Horan obliged with this beautiful free kick. The ball needs to have the pace to beat the keeper but also the curl to get up and around the wall. Horan did both, showing her endless amounts of quality in the process.

The Great Horan will be great for Lyon. It’s nice she got the chance to perform in front of that Portland crowd before moving to France for at least a year.

1. Emma Phillips – Northwestern

Emma Phillips bicycle kick for the lead 🚲🚲🤯🤯#SCtop10 | @NCAASoccer pic.twitter.com/YwvasXv7t1

— Northwestern Soccer (@NUWSoccer) August 19, 2022

If you’re an avid Twitter user, you’ve likely seen this goal making the rounds from this past week already.

Emma Phillips went viral with this stunning bicycle kick goal. It’s one of those things that you can practice, but this looked more like a tremendous amount of improvisation.

The defender is draped all over her, and with her back to goal, Phillips never took her eye off the ball and threw her foot up in the air while falling. No one could’ve expected Phillips to try that, but the result was something special. Unreal goal to take the top spot on this week’s list.