As part of the Enquirer’s effort to preview the 2024 high school football season, the Enquirer will take a look at the top players to watch this season. In addition to an already released list of the best seniors, midfielders, forwards and defenders, it’s time to honor the best goalkeepers.
Goalkeepers are the last line of defense. Any good goalie would tell you that limiting goals is a team effort, and they like to praise their defenders for it, but having a talented player in goal is the key to a championship team.
Here’s a list of the top 10 goalies to keep an eye on. Players are listed alphabetically by last name. Be sure to take the poll at the bottom of the story. The poll is open until Monday, August 12 at 12:00 p.m.
Boys football
Chirumbolo-McKee Cannon, Oak Hills – The senior allowed one goal per game for the Highlanders and was a first-team player in the Greater Miami Conference.
Rocco Fischer, Wyoming – He allowed eight goals and posted seven shutouts for the Cowboys, who finished 7-8-3.
Carson Hale, Waynesville – The sophomore posted 10 shutouts to help the Spartans reach the Division III semifinals.
Jimmy Lockwood, Harrison – The senior goaltender’s split time for last year’s Southwest Ohio Conference champions, who finished 16-1-1.
Cole Parr, Badin – The junior recorded 11 shutouts and allowed 12 goals during the Rams’ 14-4-1 season.
Brady Queenan, Sycamore – The junior allowed three goals all season and had 6 1/2 shutouts on the year.
Luke Smith, St. Xavier – The senior recorded six shutouts and allowed 24 goals while helping the Bombers reach the regional finals.
Zach Stevens, Little Miami – The senior was selected to the Eastern Cincinnati Conference first team after posting five shutouts and allowing 1.5 goals per game.
Ryan Warm, Lakota East – The senior allowed 26 goals and posted 4 1/2 shutouts while helping the Thunderhawks finish second in the Greater Miami Conference.
Conner Yeager, Clermont Northeastern -He was selected to the all-district first team after allowing 1.4 goals per game for CNE, which went 10-7. He was also selected to the Southern Buckeye Athletic & Academic Conference all-league first team.
Girls’ soccer
Bella Dehner, Oak Hills – The junior posted 12 shutouts and allowed 17 goals to help the Highlanders win the Greater Miami Conference and finish 15-4-2 overall.
Sophia Dinardo, Wyoming – The senior allowed 19 goals and posted seven shutouts for the Cowboys on the season, helping them finish second in the Cincinnati Hills League.
Alyssa Easter, Cincinnati Country Day – The junior allowed 15 goals and posted 15 shutouts, including in the Division III state championship game for the Nighthawks.
Anneliese Knight, Mason – The senior allowed four goals and posted 10 shutouts all season for the Comets, who finished second in the GMC and went 11-3-4 overall. She was an All-District selection and a first-team All-Greater Miami Conference player.
Hillary Knippenberg, Lawrenceburg – The senior allowed 11 goals and posted 12 shutouts in 18 games and led the Tigers to a 19-2-1 record.
Maddie Mescher, Summit Country Day – The senior returns as goalie for the state champion Silver Knights and allowed just nine goals this season. She posted 11 shutouts, including in the Division II state championship game. She was a first-teamer in the Miami Valley Conference.
Gianna Mlynek, Anderson – The Xavier commit is one of the city’s best returning goalies after leading Anderson to a 12-4-3 record and was selected to the district and league first team after allowing 1.1 goals per game.
Rylee Castle, East Central – The senior recorded 13 shutouts and allowed 10 goals on the season, leading the Trojans to a record of 17-2-1.
Riley Van Frank, Batavia – The junior allowed 10 goals and posted 13 shutouts, leading the Bulldogs to a 14-3-1 record and the Southern Buckeye American championship.
Ally Welch, Conner – The senior had eight shutouts as a goalie and allowed 21 goals in 24 games for the Cougars, who were 16-5-3. She was a second-team All-Ninth Region player and an honorable mention All-State selection.
On the radar
Madeline BroeringBrossart; Maleah LehmkuhlRyle; Blake Sakach, Badin; Elizabeth Sarfo-BensonColerain; Erin StansberryGeorgetown; Emma YeagerClermont Northeast.
