DGK in Action – Spring 2015

PRO

“I’m overwhelmed with emotion at this point. Words can’t explain how honored I am to represent my country on the highest stage,” said Harris. “I’ve worked my whole life for this moment. I want to thank my family, friends, and my club for the constant support and encouragement to get me where I am today. There is no time to celebrate or rest at this point. My dream is to win a gold medal and I will do everything in my power to bring that home to our country.”

NWSL UPDATE – April 2015

Congratulations to all the Dynasty goalkeepers who are “living the dream”.  The following five goalkeepers have been in training camps with various NWSL (National Women’s Soccer League) clubs this spring fighting to get their chance and earn a coveted spot on a roster.  It isn’t easy and you don’t earn much money (or none at all if you are a non-rostered reserve player), but the experience of being able to play with and against some of the top female player’s in the world is a tremendous opportunity for anyone who is as competitive and passionate about their sport and position as these 5 goalkeepers!

The best part is that TWO of our goalkeepers, Megan Kinneman and Kelsey Wys, actually attended camp together in 2007 (see photo) and were coached by Ashlyn Harris! Plus Kelsey now finds herself on the same squad as Ashlyn as her back-up!  Dynasty goalkeepers are now competing against each other at every level; youth, college, AND professional, as well as mentoring and coaching each other to new heights!  I love the camaraderie and mentorship of our family of goalkeepers!2007 Week 4 Group Shot

  • Ashlyn Harris – a University of North Carolina graduate, Harris is a veteran player who has experience as a professional player since 2010 in both the WPS and NWSL as well as abroad in Germany and Sweden. Harris is the starting goalkeeper of the Washington Spirit, but will miss a considerable part of the NWSL season while on duty with the U.S. Women’s National Team this summer in Canada competing in the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

 

  • Megan Kinneman – a 2013 graduate of LSU. 2015 marks the second season for Kinneman (aka “Ping”) with the Houston Dash in a reserve role. Following pre-season she was named as a reserve gk for the Dash, but was already activated to the full roster for the home opener on the absence of Dash Starting gk Erin McLeod who was on duty with the Canadian National Team. She should likely see several call ups to the active roster this season due to McLeod’s role with Canada.Ping dash - smaller

 

  • Caroline Stanley – recently graduated from the University of Southern California and was named as the 3rd non-rostered goalkeeper for the Seattle Reign behind Hope Solo and Haley Kopmeyer. Since Hope will be on duty with the U.S. Women’s National Team much of the summer this will give Caroline a great opportunity to be called up onto the active roster behind Haley. As a first year professional player she will gain valuable experience training daily with the Seattle Reign.Stanley

whitney head

Samantha Whitney – who recently completed her career at Adelphi University was named to the Boston Breakers reserve squad at the completion of the NWSL pre-season. The reserve squad will train alongside and against the full team and compete in exhibition games against other NWSL reserve squads in the league.

 

  • Kelsey Wys – Wys spent her rookie season playing with the New York Flash and was traded to the Washington Spirit during the off-season. Having started 9 games and seeing action in 10 for the Flash in 2014 as well as her experience as a 4 year starter in college for Florida State University and in the U.S. Youth National team program, Wys will prove to be a very competent back-up to Harris when she is called up for National Team duty this summer.

Wys

COLLEGE

KELSEY GRAHAM – Wheaton, IL

Congratulations to senior goalkeeper Kelsey GrahamKelsey Graham of Wheaton College (IL) on a stellar four year career.  She ended her soccer career with the Thunder being name the D3soccer.com’s Goalkeeper of the Year as well as to their 1st Team All- American!  Facing an average of five shots on goal per game, Graham posted a .944 save percentage, the nation’s best mark by a significant margin. Wheaton achieved an impressive 0.28 goals-against-average with the senior in goal, fifth best in the nation, contributing to a 13-1-2 record in games she started. Graham only allowed 10 goals all season in 22 matches earning 12 total shutouts, six solo shutouts, and was also been recognized as a First Team All-CCIW goalkeeper and First Team All-Central Region by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA). At the conclusion of her fall season Kelsey took the time to write me this note that I wanted to share with the younger goalkeepers out there that are currently stressing over the college recruiting process and wrestling with their college decision.

It’s been a number of years since I attended camp but I just wanted to say thank you again for all your hard work you put into coaching the many goalkeepers who attend your camps. When I came to camp I was in the midst of my college decision. The week of training and teaching forever changed and impacted the expectations I had for myself as a player, and ultimately where I went to school. I just finished my senior season at Wheaton College and the team had a great year. We had an awesome regular season but had a tough and unexpected loss in the first round of the national tournament. It was really difficult to end my career in that way, but I wouldn’t have changed the season for anything. I thought you’d like to know that yesterday I was nominated to D3soccer.com’s 1st team All-American and also named D3 Goalkeeper of the Year. I don’t think that I would have become the player I am without the week I spent at Dynasty Goalkeeping, which taught me what real training looks like and planted a seed in my mind of the level of talent I could reach. Years later, I still look back on camp and know that you made me a better player. So thank you! I hope you are doing well and I’m sure camps are even better now than they were back then. Keep up all your hard work because it’s worth it and it impacts players!

Thank you for everything, Kelsey Graham 

Kelsey, like many of my Division 2 and 3 athletes, had the opportunity to develop, contribute, excel, and make an impact on her program for FOUR seasons while getting an outstanding education at a small college. Let this serve as a reminder to all of you out there that think Division 3 soccer isn’t worth considering. The Division 1 large school environment is not a one size fits all model. Division 2 & 3 soccer should be looked at more closely by many of you as they can offer a much better fit and balance between academics and athletics as well as an opportunity to play and compete at a higher level. In my opinion it is better to play on a top D2 or D3 team that is competing for their conference championship and qualifying for the NCAA tournament with committed players as well as having potentially superior academics, than to attend a lower tier D1 college with a losing record and uncommitted players just so you can tout that you will be playing ‘Division 1’ to your parents, friends and teammates. That stroke to your ego will only last a few months at best, until you arrive on campus and realize you don’t fit in. The key to your success and happiness is finding a college that fits ALL of your needs, academically, socially, and then finally athletically. While this may be a Division 1 school, I encourage you to keep an open mind as I think you will be surprised at the opportunities you will find at Division 2 & 3 schools.

YOUTH

MARZIA JOSEPHSON & HEITHO SHIPP – January 22-27th, 2015 – Orlando, FL

Congratulations to both Marzia Josephson and Heitho Shipp for being selected to attend the 2015 National Training Event in Orlando, Florida January 22-27, 2015.  In addition to the higher level training they will receive with other top level players from Region 3, this is one of the ways players are identified for the U.S. Youth National team program.

MARZIA JOSEPHSON – March 14th – 21st, 2015 – Carson, CA

Based on her performance at the January National Training Event in Florida Marz was invited into her first U15 National Team Training Camp!  She is just one of many Dynasty goalkeepers who are competing at the National Team level.  Way to go Marz!Marz