Previewing Cincinnati high school girls soccer's top goalies
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While the kickoff of the 2026 high school soccer season is still a month away, The Enquirer is getting preseason coverage rolling with looks at the top returning players across each position group.
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The defensive anchors of every unit and the first group to feature are the goalies. Here are some key keepers to watch in 2026.
Be sure to vote for your favorite using the ballot at the end of the story. You can vote once an hour until 4 p.m. Friday.
Gabriella Brennan, Taylor
Brennan stepped up in her sophomore campaign, securing 11 shutouts and 98 saves in 2025. She allowed just 15 goals all season, earning a spot on the all-city first team. The incoming junior will look to improve on Taylor's 12-7 finish alongside over a dozen Yellowjacket upperclassmen.
Lindsay Bruce, Milford
An incoming junior already with two years of experience in goal, Bruce led the Eastern Cincinnati Conference with nine shutouts in 2025. She made 78% of stops and allowed just 23 goals, earning Enquirer first-team all-city honors in Division I.
Kara Buck, Seton
The Seton defense was nearly impenetrable in 2025, thanks to Buck's play in goal. Buck allowed just nine goals all season, recording 133 saves at a 94% clip. The incoming junior is a crucial returning piece from the Saints' state finals run and was a first-team all-city selection.
Bailee Class, Highlands
Class was at her best in the postseason, allowing just two goals in eight wins, including a shutout of Notre Dame in the Ninth Region final. She had nine shutouts and 120 saves in her sophomore season and was named one of The Enquirer's co-defensive players of the year in Northern Kentucky and Southeast Indiana.
Ava Gray, McNicholas
Gray turned in another strong showing as a junior for McNicholas. With an 84.5% save percentage, she made 87 saves with four shutouts in 2025. She, alongside a nine-member senior class, should have the Rockets in prime position to improve on a 9-4-8 finish.
Jada Kassner, Fayetteville-Perry
As a junior, Kassner anchored the Rockets' defense en route to a conference title with a 6-0 record, finishing 13-5-1 overall. Her 96 saves and four shutouts earned her a spot on the first-team all-city in Division V, and her performance should only improve as a senior.
Mallory Oliver, Harrison
Oliver, an incoming junior, already has two seasons as goalie under her belt. She's been a lockdown keeper as an underclassman, turning in 135 saves and 10 shutouts in 2025, a small improvement from her 134 saves and 8.4 shutouts as a freshman. Her performance earned her a spot on The Enquirer's all-city first team.
Leah Peter, Anderson
The incoming senior was one of the top goalies in the ECC last season, finishing second in the conference with 136 saves and eight shutouts. Peter's defense was critical in the playoffs; she led four straight shutouts to reach the regional final, then made 17 saves in a narrow 3-2 regional championship win over St. Ursula.
Elle Speelman, Walnut Hills
In a highly competitive ECC, Speelman was more than up to the task. She finished her junior year with 88 saves and just 19 goals allowed, turning in six shutouts along the way. The first-team all-city selection will lead a nine-member senior class to improve on last year's 10-6-3 season.
Lexi Willis, Little Miami
A critical component of Little Miami's ECC champion season in 2025, Willis allowed just four goals in 16 games with seven shutouts. The incoming senior turned in 66 saves last season, representing an astonishing save percentage of 94%.
Vote for your favorite girls soccer goalkeeper ahead of the 2026 season
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Previewing Cincinnati high school girls soccer's top goalies