Top Cincinnati Girls Soccer Goalies to Watch in 2026

The 2026 high school soccer season is just weeks away, and the battle behind the net will be a focal point for Cincinnati-area programs. Goalkeepers who recorded impressive statistics and helped their teams reach deep into playoffs are set to anchor their squads again. Here’s a rundown of the top returning keepers across the region.

Gabriella Brennan – Taylor

Brennan earned the starting job as a sophomore in 2025, posting 11 shutouts and 98 saves while conceding just 15 goals. Her consistency propelled her to the all‑city first team. As a incoming junior, she will aim to lift the Yellowjackets beyond a 12‑7 finish, bolstered by a core of experienced upperclassmen.

Lindsay Bruce – Milford

Already a two‑year veteran, Bruce led the Eastern Cincinnati Conference with nine shutouts in 2025. She stopped roughly 78% of shots and allowed 23 goals, earning Enquirer first‑team all‑city honors in Division I. The incoming junior should add depth to Milford’s lineup as the team looks to build on its recent success.

Kara Buck – Seton

Buck was a mainstay in Seton’s backfield, allowing just nine goals while recording 133 saves at a 94% clip. Her play helped the Saints reach the state finals, and as an incoming junior she remains a key fixture for a team that will lean on a veteran core to repeat that deep run.

Bailee Class – Highlands

Class shined in the postseason, delivering two goals‑against performances in eight playoff wins, including a shutout of Notre Dame for the region crown. As a sophomore she logged nine shutouts and 120 saves, earning co‑defensive player of the year honors for Northern Kentucky and Southeast Indiana.

Ava Gray – McNicholas

Gray posted an 84.5% save rate as a junior in 2025, making 87 saves and securing four shutouts. Along with a veteran senior class, she is expected to help the Rockets improve from a 9‑4‑8 record and push deeper into conference play.

Jada Kassner – Fayetteville‑Perry

Kassner anchored the Rockets’ defense en route to a conference title with a perfect 6‑0 league record and a 13‑5‑1 overall mark in 2025. Her 96 saves and four shutouts earned first‑team all‑city honors in Division V, and her senior season should build on that strong foundation.

Mallory Oliver – Harrison

Oliver, an incoming junior, has already two seasons of experience. In 2025 she recorded 135 saves and 10 shutouts, a modest upgrade from her freshman 134 saves and 8.4 shutouts. Her work earned a spot on the all‑city first team, making her a lock to strengthen Harrison’s goal line.

Leah Peter – Anderson

Peter was one of the top performers in the ECC, finishing second with 136 saves and eight shutouts. Her defensive work propelled Anderson to four consecutive shutouts, culminating in a narrow 3‑2 regional championship win over St. Ursula. As a senior, she will be a cornerstone for the Raptors’ postseason run.

Elle Speelman – Walnut Hills

Speelman posted 88 saves and limited opponents to 19 goals in her junior season, delivering six shutouts. Named to the first‑team all‑city squad, she will lead a nine‑member senior class aiming to improve upon last year’s 10‑6‑3 mark.

Lexi Willis – Little Miami

Willis was vital to Little Miami’s ECC championship campaign, allowing only four goals across 16 games while racking up seven shutouts. Her 66 saves represented a 94% save percentage, and she returns as a senior ready to help the Panthers defend their conference title.

Vote for Your Favorite Goalie

The ballot remains open for hourly voting until 4 p.m. Friday. Fans can cast their choice among these standout keepers to honor the top performer ahead of the 2026 season.

For the full story and original voting instructions, see the Cincinnati Enquirer piece titled “Previewing Cincinnati high school girls soccer’s top goalies.”