Top Goalies to Watch in Cincinnati Girls Soccer 2026

As the 2026 high‑school soccer season draws near, Cincinnati coaches are sharpening their focus on thekeepers who will shape each program’s fate. The preseason outlook hinges on a group of returning netminders who posted strong stats in 2025. This preview breaks down the top talent across the city and surrounding regions.

• Gabriella Brennan (Taylor) – Sophomore with 11 shutouts and 98 saves.
• Lindsay Bruce (Milford) – Incoming junior, 9 shutouts, 78% save rate.
• Kara Buck (Seton) – Sophomore, 133 saves, 94% save rate.
• Bailee Class (Highlands) – Sophomore, 9 shutouts, 120 saves, tournament MVP.
• Ava Gray (McNicholas) – Junior, 87 saves, 84.5% save rate, 4 shutouts.
• Jada Kassner (Fayetteville‑Perry) – Junior, 96 saves, 4 shutouts, Division V all‑city.
• Mallory Oliver (Harrison) – Incoming junior, 135 saves, 10 shutouts.
• Leah Peter (Anderson) – Incoming senior, 136 saves, 8 shutouts, four playoff shutouts.
• Elle Speelman (Walnut Hills) – Junior, 88 saves, 6 shutouts, first‑team honors.
• Lexi Willis (Little Miami) – Incoming senior, 66 saves, 94% save rate, 7 shutouts.

Gabriella Brennan – Taylor

Brennan recorded 11 clean sheets and 98 saves as a sophomore, keeping just 15 goals behind her net. Her performance earned her a spot on the all‑city first team. As a rising junior, she looks to lift Taylor’s record beyond the 12‑7 mark, backed by a seasoned group of upperclassmen.

Lindsay Bruce – Milford

Already a two‑year veteran, Bruce led the Eastern Cincinnati Conference with nine shutouts in 2025. She posted a 78% save percentage while allowing 23 goals, a standout that secured first‑team all‑city honors in Division I. The incoming junior is expected to anchor Milford’s defense with further improvement on the horizon.

Kara Buck – Seton

Buck helped make the Seton defense nearly impenetrable, allowing just nine goals while posting 133 saves at a 94% clip. Her sophomore season was a key part of the Saints’ run to the state finals, and she earned first‑team all‑city recognition. As a rising junior, she will be a pivotal returning piece for a squad looking to build on that deep run.

Bailee Class – Highlands

Class shined in the postseason, posting eight shutouts and allowing only two goals across eight victories, including a clean sheet in the Ninth Region final. Her 120 saves as a sophomore earned her co‑defensive player of the year honors for Northern Kentucky and Southeast Indiana. The rising junior will be counted on to maintain that defensive intensity for the Fighting Irish.

Ava Gray – McNicholas

Gray delivered another solid campaign as a junior, posting an 84.5% save rate with 87 saves and four shutouts. She pairs with a strong senior class to give the Rockets a solid foundation for improvement. Their aim is to surpass the 9‑4‑8 finish recorded in the previous season.

Jada Kassner – Fayetteville‑Perry

Kassner anchored the Rockets’ backline en route to a conference title, finishing the season 6‑0 in league play and 13‑5‑1 overall. Her 96 saves and four shutouts propelled her to first‑team all‑city honors in Division V. As a senior, her experience is expected to lift the team’s defensive solidity even further.

Mallory Oliver – Harrison

Oliver, who moves into her junior season, has already logged two years of net‑minding experience. In 2025 she tallied 135 saves and 10 shutouts, a slight upgrade from her freshman output of 134 saves and 8.4 shutouts. Her consistent play earned her a place on the all‑city first team.

Leah Peter – Anderson

As a senior, Peter finished second in the Eastern Cincinnati Conference with 136 saves and eight shutouts. She posted four consecutive shutouts in the playoffs and recorded 17 saves in a nail‑biting 3‑2 regional championship win over St. Ursula. Her leadership will be pivotal as Anderson looks to sustain a deep postseason run.

Elle Speelman – Walnut Hills

In a crowded ECC race, Speelman delivered 88 saves and limited opponents to 19 goals, adding six clean sheets to her junior résumé. She earned first‑team all‑city honors and will captain a nine‑member senior cohort aimed at improving on last year’s 10‑6‑3 record. Her experience should bolster Walnut Hills’ chances for a playoff berth.

Lexi Willis – Little Miami

Willis anchored Little Miami’s ECC championship side, posting seven shutouts while conceding just four goals across 16 matches. Her 66 saves came at an impressive 94% success rate, marking her as a reliable returning staple. The incoming senior is set to provide continuity for a squad eager to defend its conference title.

Vote for Your Favorite Goalie

Fans can cast their ballot for the top girls soccer goalkeeper ahead of the 2026 campaign. The voting portal allows one vote per hour and closes at 4 p.m. on Friday. Participation helps highlight the players who will define the upcoming season. Make sure to support your favorite keeper before the deadline.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Previewing Cincinnati high school girls soccer’s top goalies