Preseason Battle to Fill Women’s Soccer Goalkeeper Opening

Four players are in a tense preseason competition to determine the starting goalkeeper for the 2025 Georgia Gwinnett College women’s soccer team. This is one of the interesting position battles for the Grizzlies during practice and exhibition matches with the fall season quickly approaching.   

GGCAthletics.com examines the three returning players who join a transfer newcomer in competing for the top spot on the depth chart, replacing 2024 third NAIA All-America team selection and Continental Athletic Conference Goalkeeper of the Year Ayano Kurosawa.

Sophomore Elle Sarter has the most playing experience from last fall’s 12-7-2 squad that won the CAC tournament title and advanced to the second round of the NAIA national tournament. The Bassingborne, England, native appeared in three matches in a reserve role and helped secure three shutouts for the squad.

Meanwhile, classmate Ulrike Duyck made four appearances for GGC during the 2023 season before an injury in last fall’s preseason limited her availability. 

Freshman Svenja Hoppe also has battled injuries during her career, but a productive summer in training has her ready to compete for significant playing time this fall.

Junior Rirei Sasaki made 30 starts and stopped 116 shots across two seasons at NAIA’s Campbellsville University (Kentucky) from 2022-23. She helped the Tigers win 12 matches in 2022.

“We’re going to have a great goalkeeping battle throughout the preseason,” said Head Coach Dr. Mike Giuliano. “Elle is coming off a strong spring and gained experience as a freshman for us last year. Rirei played really well against us in 2023 while at Campbellsville, and Ulrike and Svenja have improved so much. We feel good about whoever comes out and wins the job.”

Georgia Gwinnett College’s first regular-season test comes August 23 when the team travels to Montreat College (North Carolina). The home opener comes August 26 against Truett-McConnell University (Georgia) at the Grizzly Soccer Complex.