A Golden Glove in Cary
Former Penn State women's soccer goalkeeper Amanda Poorbaugh was crowned the TST 2026 Women's Golden Glove after an electrifying run in the annual 7‑on‑7 tournament held in Cary, North Carolina. Her performance helped Simply Fútbol FC reach the championship match, where they fell just short against the Iowa Demon Hawks, losing 2‑1.
The tournament, known for its high‑stakes brackets, awards a $1 million prize to the winner of each bracket, underscoring the growing financial incentives for elite youth soccer competition in the United States. Poorbaugh also added a $5,000 Keeper Wars title to her résumé, a testament to her reflexes and command of the penalty area.
Poorbaugh’s standout season at Penn State included a career‑high 42 saves and a goals‑against average that placed her among the nation’s most reliable keepers. She logged 1,251 minutes in goal for the Nittany Lions, conceding only nine goals during that span, a statistic that helped cement her reputation as a steady presence between the posts.
Beyond the accolades, the victory marks a milestone for Simply Fútbol FC, a club that has steadily risen through the ranks of American youth soccer. The $1 million prize will be distributed among the squad and coaching staff, providing resources that could influence future development pathways for aspiring professionals.
The recognition also places Poorbaugh in the conversation with other notable keepers who have leveraged tournament success into professional opportunities. As she looks ahead, the former Nittany Lion hopes to translate her collegiate achievements into a career that could see her don the colors of a top‑flight club or earn a spot on the senior national team.