​Although the 2026 high school soccer season is still a month away, the Enquirer is kicking off preseason coverage with previews of the top returning players at each position, starting with the defensive backbones of every unit—the goalkeepers. Here are the key keepers to watch in 2026.
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Carter stepped in as a junior and delivered 147 saves with nine shutouts, allowing only 19 goals across 20 games. His three saves in a shootout win over Loveland in the district semifinals were pivotal to the Wildcats capturing the district championship, and he earned a spot on the Enquirer’s all-city first team.
Darling, a sophomore, posted 10.5 shutouts in goal for Mason. The Comets surrendered just nine goals all season on their way to a 14-1-3 record, and Darling’s capabilities should continue to grow in his junior year.
With 60 saves against 17 goals allowed, Fey anchored the Eagles’ defense as they finished 12-3-2. He recorded five shutouts as a junior, and he could post an even stronger season in 2026 as CHCA expects to welcome more than a dozen incoming seniors after graduating only five players this offseason.
Covington Catholic’s junior keeper Booker Gifford made several key saves in CovCath’s run to the state runner-up finish. He totaled 181 saves while allowing 27 goals as the Colonels went 18-8-2 overall. Gifford was named to the Kentucky High School Athletic Association all-tournament team, highlighted by his 12 stops to shut out South Oldham in the semifinals.
Goff’s goalkeeping was a bright spot for McNicholas in 2025. The junior logged 111 saves with eight shutouts, allowing 24 goals as the Rockets reached the district finals with a 10-9-2 record.
Wilmington’s junior Scottie Hall stood tall in the net as Turpin defeated Wilmington 6-0 in the OHSAA Division III boys soccer district semifinals on Oct. 21, 2025, at Turpin High School. Hall posted a 91% save rate, turning away 133 shots while allowing just 13 goals and recording six shutouts. His performance helped Wilmington finish undefeated in conference play with a 14-1-3 record, and Hall earned first-team all-city honors. He’ll look to build on that momentum in 2026.
Maslin’s junior goalkeeper was among the top netminders in the Greater Miami Conference in 2025, recording 82 saves with only 25 goals allowed. As Maslin’s young Thunderhawks squad continues to mature, expect the incoming senior to build on his three shutouts from last season.
St. Xavier’s junior James McKernan made a crucial save as St. Xavier defeated Elder 4-0 in a Greater Cincinnati matchup, underscoring his role as a steady presence between the posts for the program.
This piece previews the standout goalkeepers who will shape the 2026 season, highlighting their statistics, contributions to team success, and the anticipation for what they might achieve in the year ahead.