Leja Listed as a United Soccer Coaches Player to Watch
8/7/2023 3:33:00 PM | Women's Soccer
LYNCHBURG, Va. – Liberty goalkeeper Ainsley Leja was included among goalkeepers on the United Soccer Coaches 2023 NCAA Division l Players to Watch.
Leja was one of nine goalkeepers from across the country recognized by United Soccer Coaches.
The Rockford, Mich., native had a stellar campaign in 2022, earning recognition as the ASUN Goalkeeper of the Year. Leja was selected to the ASUN All-Conference first team and the United Soccer Coaches All-South Region second team. She also was included on the CSC Academic All-District team and the ASUN Academic Honor Roll.
In her sophomore season, Leja achieved a 14-3-4 mark, allowing just 13 goals in over 1,800 minutes played in 2022. She earned a program-record 0.62 goals-against average for the season, placing her third in the ASUN and 20th in the nation in goals-against average. Leja totaled 56 saves across the season, good for a .812 save percentage.
Leja led the ASUN with 10 recorded shutouts, the 13th most in the nation. Her 10 shutouts were the second most in team history for a single season. Leja managed to not allow a goal across 420 minutes of play (five games) from Sept. 15-Oct. 2.
The lists are compiled and released by the Division I All-America Committees to promote college soccer leading up to the official start date for the regular season later this month. The lists include United Soccer Coaches All-Americans and first or second-team All-Region players from 2022, who are scheduled to return for the 2023 season.
United Soccer Coaches plans to release other positions' players to watch across the rest of the preseason schedule:
August 8 – Defenders
August 11 – Midfielders
August 15 – Forwards
Leja was one of nine goalkeepers from across the country recognized by United Soccer Coaches.
The Rockford, Mich., native had a stellar campaign in 2022, earning recognition as the ASUN Goalkeeper of the Year. Leja was selected to the ASUN All-Conference first team and the United Soccer Coaches All-South Region second team. She also was included on the CSC Academic All-District team and the ASUN Academic Honor Roll.
In her sophomore season, Leja achieved a 14-3-4 mark, allowing just 13 goals in over 1,800 minutes played in 2022. She earned a program-record 0.62 goals-against average for the season, placing her third in the ASUN and 20th in the nation in goals-against average. Leja totaled 56 saves across the season, good for a .812 save percentage.
Leja led the ASUN with 10 recorded shutouts, the 13th most in the nation. Her 10 shutouts were the second most in team history for a single season. Leja managed to not allow a goal across 420 minutes of play (five games) from Sept. 15-Oct. 2.
The lists are compiled and released by the Division I All-America Committees to promote college soccer leading up to the official start date for the regular season later this month. The lists include United Soccer Coaches All-Americans and first or second-team All-Region players from 2022, who are scheduled to return for the 2023 season.
United Soccer Coaches plans to release other positions' players to watch across the rest of the preseason schedule:
August 8 – Defenders
August 11 – Midfielders
August 15 – Forwards
Players Mentioned
GK
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