NWSL Announces 2019 Goalkeeper of the Year
Published on November 1, 2019 under National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) News Release
Chicago - Washington Spirit goalkeeper Aubrey Bledsoe has been named the 2019 National Women's Soccer League Goalkeeper of the Year, the league announced Friday. On Thursday, the goalkeeper received her first call-up to the U.S. Women's National Team. Last week, Bledsoe was also named to the NWSL's 2019 Best XI.
The 27-year old becomes the first Washington Spirit goalkeeper to receive the award. The goalkeeper title was voted on by the club officials, players, media and fans.
Bledsoe started all 24 matches for Washington this season and logged 2,149 minutes of play. She ranked first in the league with 86 saves and ranked second among all league goalkeepers with nine shutouts, breaking her previous record of four set in 2018. Bledsoe earned Save of the Week honors three times this season (Week 4, Week 12, Week 16) and was named Player of the Week twice (Week 4, Week 7). The Washington Spirit goalkeeper was tied for second in the league in goals-against average (1.04) and conceded 25 goals for a save percentage of 77.5%.
Bledsoe is tied for seventh all-time among NWSL goalkeepers in shutouts (15) and holds the league record for saves in a single season (108).
Reign FC goalkeeper Casey Murphy and Sky Blue FC goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan finished in second and third respectively in goalkeeper voting this year.
GOALKEEPER TOTAL OF FIRST PLACE VOTES
Bledsoe 44.7%
Murphy 29.9%
Sheridan 25.4%
The list of finalists was decided after a preliminary round of voting by owners, general managers, coaches, players and media. The finalists were then voted on by fans, owners, general managers, coaches, players and media.
Voting Breakdown:
Preliminary Round: Owners/GMs/Coaches (25%), Media (25%) and Players (50%)
Final Round: Fans (20%), Owners/GMs/Coaches (20%), Media (20%) and Players (40%)
List of NWSL Goalkeepers of the Year
2013: Nicole Barnhart, FC Kansas City
2014: Alyssa Naeher, Boston Breakers
2015: Michelle Betos, Portland Thorns FC
2016: Ashlyn Harris, Orlando Pride
2017: Adrianna Franch, Portland Thorns FC
2018: Adrianna Franch, Portland Thorns FC
2019: Aubrey Bledsoe, Washington Spirit
National Women's Soccer League Stories from November 1, 2019
- Aubrey Bledsoe Named 2019 NWSL Goalkeeper of the Year - Washington Spirit
- NWSL Announces 2019 Goalkeeper of the Year - NWSL
- NWSL Announces New 2020 Compensation Guidelines - NWSL
- Utah Royals FC DF Katie Bowen Named to New Zealand Women's National Team Roster - Utah Royals FC
- Chicago Offers New Contracts Or Exercises Options for All 26 Players - Chicago Stars FC
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
