ORLANDO, Fla. (October 4, 2015) – Orlando Pride goalkeeper Ashlyn Harris was voted the National Women’s Soccer League Goalkeeper of the Year for the 2016 NWSL season, the league announced Tuesday.
Harris, 30, becomes the first Pride player and first member of an expansion team to win a league award – as she finished the season with 62 saves while she posted a 1.33 goals-against-average (GAA) in 15 appearances for Orlando in 2016.
The Satellite Beach, Fla. native and U.S. international recorded four shutouts – tied for fifth most in the league – as she went 5-9-1 in net this season for the Pride.
The North Carolina product produced a highlight reel’s worth of stops this year as she won the NWSL Save of the Week award on eight occasions – the most in the league – including in Week 18 with a spectacular full-stretch save against Sky Blue FC as she got her gloves on to a header from SBFC forward Samantha Kerr to push the shot around the post.
Harris, who was acquired by the Pride with the No. 2 selection of the 2015 NWSL Expansion Draft, had a 0.756 save percentage this season as she faced 82 shots on goal – the third most in the league behind FC Kansas City goalkeeper Nicole Barnhart (102) and Houston Dash goalkeeper Lydia Williams (83).
Harris’ 1.33 GAA matched her career best in the NWSL, which she also posted in 2015.
List of NWSL Goalkeeper of the Year winners:
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><u>Year</u></strong></span> |
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><u>Player</u></strong></span> |
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><u>Club</u></strong></span> |
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">2013</span> |
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Nicole Barnhart</span> |
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">FC Kansas City</span> |
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">2014</span> |
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Alyssa Naeher</span> |
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Boston Breakers</span> |
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">2015</span> |
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Michelle Betos</span> |
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Portland Thorns FC</span> |
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">2016</span> |
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Ashlyn Harris</span> |
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Orlando Pride</span> |
The NWSL awards are voted on by club officials, players, media that cover the league on a consistent basis and fans.
