Leja Named a United Soccer Coaches Player to Watch for Second Straight Year
8/5/2024 2:03:00 PM | Women's Soccer
LYNCHBURG, Va. – Senior goalkeeper Ainsley Leja was included among goalkeepers on the United Soccer Coaches 2024 NCAA Division l Players to Watch - Goalkeepers. The recognition is the second for the Liberty keeper in as many seasons.
Leja was one of 10 goalkeepers and one of four women from across the country recognized by United Soccer Coaches. She was joined by three other women's soccer keepers, Emily Bredek (ODU), Mia Justus (Texas) and Bre Norris (Portland).
The Rockford, Mich., native added to her impressive 2022 campaign with a stellar 2023 season. Leja earned recognition as the 2023 CUSA Keeper of the Year along with being named to the 2023 CUSA All-Conference first team and the United Soccer Coaches All-South Region first team. She was also included on the 2023 CUSA All-Academic team, the CSC Academic All-District team and the CUSA Academic Honor Roll.
In her junior season, Leja achieved a 16-3-1 mark in net helping lead the Lady Flames to a CUSA title in its first season in the league. Leja allowed 12 goals in over 1,800 minutes played in 20 starts last season. She topped her own single-season program record with a 0.60 goals-against average (previously 0.62, 2023), pacing CUSA and good for No. 15 in the nation in GAA.
Leja led the CUSA with 10 shutouts, landing No. 14 in the country. Her 10 shutouts were the second most in team history for a single season and matched her output from the 2022 season. Leja did not allow a goal across 550 minutes of play (across seven contests) from Sept. 3 to Sept. 30.
The Players to Watch 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 6 – Defenders
August 9 – Midfielders
August 13 – Forwards
Leja was one of 10 goalkeepers and one of four women from across the country recognized by United Soccer Coaches. She was joined by three other women's soccer keepers, Emily Bredek (ODU), Mia Justus (Texas) and Bre Norris (Portland).
For the 2??nd straight season, Ainsley Leja has been named an @UnitedCoaches Player to Watch for goalkeepers ?? pic.twitter.com/3XELLjXAAb
— Liberty Women's Soccer (@LibertyWSoccer) August 5, 2024
The Rockford, Mich., native added to her impressive 2022 campaign with a stellar 2023 season. Leja earned recognition as the 2023 CUSA Keeper of the Year along with being named to the 2023 CUSA All-Conference first team and the United Soccer Coaches All-South Region first team. She was also included on the 2023 CUSA All-Academic team, the CSC Academic All-District team and the CUSA Academic Honor Roll.
In her junior season, Leja achieved a 16-3-1 mark in net helping lead the Lady Flames to a CUSA title in its first season in the league. Leja allowed 12 goals in over 1,800 minutes played in 20 starts last season. She topped her own single-season program record with a 0.60 goals-against average (previously 0.62, 2023), pacing CUSA and good for No. 15 in the nation in GAA.
Leja led the CUSA with 10 shutouts, landing No. 14 in the country. Her 10 shutouts were the second most in team history for a single season and matched her output from the 2022 season. Leja did not allow a goal across 550 minutes of play (across seven contests) from Sept. 3 to Sept. 30.
The Players to Watch 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 6 – Defenders
August 9 – Midfielders
August 13 – Forwards
Players Mentioned
GK
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