Who is the best goalkeeper in California? 

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The PrepSoccer State <a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2023/01/updated-2026-california-girl-rankings/">Player Rankings for California's 2026 class were released on Thursday</a>. This is the first ranking for this class. If you'd like to learn more about our rankings process, check out <a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2022/10/behind-the-scenes-prepsoccers-national-rankings/">this article</a>. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The freshman class in California is deep in every position group, but the goalkeeper position is special. There is generational talent that could make this the best group of shot stoppers to pass through California in a long time. There are currently 10 goalkeepers in the first rankings, but more will join in future updates. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["82502"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"There is plenty of reason to believe that Biehl might end up being the best player in this class in the country when all is said and done. She is a special talent in goal and comes is as the top ranked player in the position for California. She is a rare combination of determination, athleticism, and natural talent. The Surf standout made some saves in the past year that seemed unthinkable at the youth level - diving efforts on shots to the top corner, quick reactions to block shots that she saw late, and flying efforts that appeared like she could fly. The best part may be that she plays for Surf Soccer Club and is forced to make decisions with the ball at her feet. Her passing and distribution is among the best in the position. She is just a freshman and there is a long way to go, but Biehl continues to impress scouts and earn the attention from professional clubs. The young net minder had some struggles with crosses, as her singular focus on the ball led to her getting caught in traffic in the box and sometimes over running the ball. It's a small nitpick on an otherwise incredibly exciting prospect for the position.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["20057"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Standing at five-foot-11, Trayer is one of the tallest players in the position for this class. She definitely uses that height too. It must feel like to the opposition that the freshman goalkeeper covers the whole frame of the goal with her wing span. That's not quite the case, but her quick lateral movement and strong hands allow her to get to shots that no other player in this group can reach. She's been exceptional at the club level as a leader for the Slammers FC HB Koge 08 squad. Her best quality is in penalty kicks though. Trayer is a rare player that almost flips the odds of a shot from the spot from the kickers favor to the goalkeeper's advantage. Her three-save performance in the high school tournament in December is a perfect example of just how unfair it is to have Trayer in goal.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["19625"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"The multi-sport athlete was been a bright spot in the ECNL this season. Beary, who is also a track and field star, is a key reason for the success of So Cal Blues 08. She handles the strong shots exceptionally well. She has the strength to keep driven efforts out of the goal. The right-footed goalkeeper has really improved her distribution as well. She is one to watch from the position.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["82570"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"The Legends FC 08 team is stacked - and there are games when August won't face a shot - which makes the teams when she has to make a save after no action for 30 minutes even more impressive. August earned her spot on this list for the highlight saves. She comes up in the big moments with unthinkable blocks. Along with her excellent shot-stopping, she is quick off her line and has secure hands. Once she gets a hand on the ball, there is no rebound. August has the physical traits that make a top goalkeeper, but it's the time she puts in on the technical nuances of the position that makes her great.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["19290"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"Bryant is one of the players who could be in for a big jump in these rankings in the near future as she continues to impress every time scouts see her play. She has assumed the starting role for her varsity team, Los Gatos, as a freshman. After going 1-11 last season, Los Gatos is 6-2-2 (as of Jan. 17) with a 3-0-1 record in league play. Bryant is a standout at the club level as well. She originally caught the attention of scouts for her play with MVLA. It seems like once a game she makes a diving save to stop what looks like a guaranteed goal. Bryant's not the biggest goalkeeper on this list, but she might be the most determined. The Cal North ODP star is one to watch this spring as she leads her high school and club.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["82439"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"Vargas is a fearless goalkeeper who is one of the best at handling crosses. She has safe hands and does well in securing crosses in traffic. She has good technique in distribution and can spring the attack for her side with either a long throw or a drop kick. The foundation is there for Vargas to develop into a top prospect in the position.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["83483"],"_player_evaluations_6_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='83483' first='Grace' last='Ae']'s quality in goal was earlier identified by US Soccer scouts who brought her into a Talent Identification event in May. She seems to be using that experience as motivation as she continues to improve her craft since then. She is one of the toughest players in goal. She does not shy away from any challenge - and she feeds off difficult competition. Ae's excellent in diving and quick to return to her feet. She has the athletic profile to be a top keeper at the next level - and the drive to match.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_player":["19164"],"_player_evaluations_7_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"Gonzalez is another standout from the Slammers FC HB Koge program. She is also having a breakout campaign with Los Alamitos during the high school season. Gonzalez is coming into her own as a top player in the position in this class and one that scouts should keep an eye on during the rest of the high school season and the start of the spring campaign in the club game.","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_8_player":["19134"],"_player_evaluations_8_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"McLin makes so many saves that her annual list of top saves only has bangers that any goalkeeper would be proud of making in a game. McLin has a strong technical foundation as a goalkeeper. She does well in setting her base before she jumps which gives her the power to reach the high shots. She also showed a good awareness of her goal and made good reads on shots. McLin looks to be one of the top talents coming from Northern California in this class.","_player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_9_player":["20330"],"_player_evaluations_9_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_9_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_9_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"Wheeler might get lost in the mix a bit with this class because she is one of the few 2026 goalkeepers on a 2007 ECNL team. She really impressed with her play on the in the ECNL this fall. She splits time in goal for her side, but she made some quality saves when called upon. Wheeler was part of the id2 program last year, and showed that she is one of the best in the region in her position. She is one to keep an eye on this season.","_player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":10,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63c9b3ce997cd"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->