North Jersey's Underrated Returning Goalkeepers

New Jersey's Northwest Jersey, Big North, and Skyland Conferences all have hidden gems throughout the vast amount of schools under their banners. Goalkeepers, such as [player_tooltip player_id='100088' first='Aidan' last='Stokes'] and [player_tooltip player_id='12821' first='Alan' last='Rutkowski'], have brought national attention to New Jersey at the position, further displaying the state's already respectable reputation in player development. The next gem could very well be an overlooked goalkeeper from this region, especially with the elite ECNL and USL academy some of these prospects feature for.    Rubio is a 6'0" Delbarton keeper who plays his club soccer for [program_tooltip program_id='279901' first='TSF' last='Academy']'s 2008 boys team. The right footed rising junior recorded 61 saves in 20 matches last season for 18-2-2 Delbarton. He recorded a clean sheet in all but 6 games. The Dover native's athleticism gives him excellent range to make diving saves, preferring to parry away securely but occasionally having the handling to bring the save into his body. Rubio is decisive in his actions, coming up quickly to claim crosses with catches or punches away disregarding potential contact. His decisiveness also shows when coming up from his line to make kick saves.     Monge is an undersized keeper that has impressed as an immediate starter during his first two high school seasons, recording 274 saves in 41 matches. He is also a wrestler with a 17-9 record in the 150-lb. and 157-lb. weight-classes over those two years. His wrestling background shows in the agility he has making saves and bravery when going into crowded areas to punch away crosses. When distributing, his right foot has power behind it to boot punts into the midline with ease and notable accuracy to consistently find his target in the direct buildup.     Gokhale is a rising senior that made 188 saves in 31 matches over the past two seasons. During this spring season, he has competed in tennis, with an 8-2 record in 1st Doubles primarily with Christian Suh, whom he reached the NJSIAA Tournament Quarterfinal with. He has great eyes to make saves from point blank and on well-placed long distance shots. He prefers to come up from his line early, imposing himself on the attacker and putting his body on the line for chest or kick saves. His direct distribution could improve by adding more power behind his kicking.     Keyes will be a four year starter this season, making 459 saves in 53 matches in his first three seasons. He had only five games of less than 10 saves in 2024 and even had a 21 saves in a loss to Robbinsville. His height gives him great advantage in net, using his length well to get up high to save chipped finishes and deliveries. Keyes' length also allows him to make athletic kick saves.     Coleman is a rising junior for Bergen Catholic that made 61 saves in 17 games in 2024. He plays his club football for [program_tooltip program_id='288067' first='STA' last='Soccer']/Cedar Stars Academy-Bergen and has trialed in Croatia with NK Istra 1961. The accomplished ECNL academy keeper has a dynamic combination of size and athleticism to make hard to reach saves. His quick reactions help him stop penalties and quickly hit shots from close range. He navigates crowds box well to still make saves.     The towering Vichengrad is entering his fourth varsity season, having made 304 saves in 46 appearances. He plays for STA's U19 ECNL team and has aims to play collegiately. His large frame makes saves look easy, though his handling must become more consistent. The left footer is comfortable building out from the back with composure when standing on ball and admirable touch aerially. He is an attentive presence at the back, especially with his head always on a swivel on set pieces tracking both back post runners and deliveries. His punches away from crowded boxes are quite calm and decisive. Vichengrad's length makes up for any errors in positioning or when his reaction to make a save is off.     With 156 saves in 21 matches in his first season as a starter, D'Asti displayed the shot-stopping chops that earned him a spot in a USL Academy club. His handling is secure, consistently catching on saves and when claiming crosses. He is explosive, allowing him more aerial ability than his stature would suggest. D'Asti is left footed with vision to find open teammates up the flanks with notable accuracy to set up aerial duels. When stopping at close range on rebounds, his notably quick reactions even once on the ground to relentlessly protect his net are exemplary as to why his back line trusts him.

New Jersey's Northwest Jersey, Big North, and Skyland Conferences all have hidden gems throughout the vast amount of schools under their banners. Goalkeepers, such as Aidan Stokes Aidan Stokes GK State NJ and Alan Rutkowski Alan Rutkowski GK State #10 Nation NJ , have brought national attention to New Jersey at the position, further displaying the state's already respectable reputation in player development. The next gem could very well be an overlooked goalkeeper from this region, especially with the elite ECNL and USL academy some of these prospects feature for.