Valentina Amaral, the Wake Forest women's soccer goalkeeper, has earned a spot on the 2026 United Soccer Coaches Goalkeepers to Watch List, a preseason acknowledgment that highlights her rising prominence in the sport.
During the 2025 campaign she posted six shutouts, compiled 81 saves and posted a .794 save percentage, a figure that placed her fourth among all Atlantic Coast Conference keepers.
Her career trajectory is underscored by a program‑best 0.84 goals‑against average heading into the new season, while her single‑season best of 0.69 GAA remains the lowest in Wake Forest history.
Accolades and Team Impact
Amaral’s contributions helped the Demon Deacons reach the 2024 College Cup Final, and her consistent performances earned her 2025 All‑American Third Team, All‑ACC Third Team and All‑Atlantic Region honors, as well as previous recognitions in 2024.
The watch list announcement comes ahead of the 2026 Hermann Trophy watch lists, the award that crowns the Division I Player of the Year each January, with the 2026 winners set to be revealed on January 8 in St. Louis, Missouri.
College soccer action kicks off with women’s matches beginning on August 13 and the men’s season opening on August 20, promising a busy schedule for teams across the nation.