Heather Hinz

Heather Hinz
Personal information
Date of birth (2001-06-27) June 27, 2001 (age 23)[1]
Place of birth Laytonsville, Maryland, U.S.
Height 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m)[1]
Position(s) Goalkeeper
Team information
Current team
 Fort Lauderdale United
(on loan from the Houston Dash)
Number 31
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2019–2023 South Carolina Gamecocks 78 (0)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2024– Houston Dash 1 (0)
2024– → Fort Lauderdale United (loan) 1 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of November 10, 2024

Heather Hinz (born June 27, 2001) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a goalkeeper for USL Super League club Fort Lauderdale United FC, on loan from the Houston Dash of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). She played collegiately for the South Carolina Gamecocks before being drafted by the Dash in the 2024 NWSL Draft.

Early life and college career

Hinz was born in Laytonsville, Maryland, to Laura and Lance Hinz.[1][2] She has three older sisters, one of whom, Megan, played soccer as a goalkeeper at Michigan before turning professional and then becoming a college coach.[3] Hinz started out as a striker before being asked to play in goal because of an injury to her Olympic Development Program team's keeper.[3] She played high school soccer at Our Lady of Good Counsel and ECNL club soccer for Bethesda Union.[2]

South Carolina Gamecocks

Following one season as a backup, Hinz became the starting goalkeeper for the South Carolina Gamecocks during the pandemic-abbreviated 2020 season.[2][3] In the 2021 postseason, she had to make only three saves in an upset of North Carolina in the first round of the NCAA tournament and went on to record a career-high eleven saves in their quarterfinal loss to BYU.[2][4] She led the country with 13 clean sheets in the 2022 season, part of the strong defense on a Gamecock team that ranked as high as third nationally.[5] In that year's SEC championship, she saved three penalty kicks in a semifinal shootout against Georgia and made a last-minute save to keep her shutout against Alabama in the title game, being named the tournament's most valuable player.[2][6][7] She recorded ten shutouts in 2023, leading the conference in save percentage and goals against average, and was recognized as the SEC Goalkeeper of the Year and first-team All-SEC.[2]

Club career

Houston Dash

Hinz was drafted 38th overall by the Houston Dash in the third round of 2024 NWSL Draft.[8] She was signed to a one-year contract with a one-year option, becoming one of the backup options behind reigning NWSL Goalkeeper of the Year Jane Campbell.[9][10] Hinz made her professional debut on July 28, 2024, in the group stage of the 2024 NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup, recording six saves in a 3–0 win over Tigres UANL.[11] After an injury to Campbell, Hinz made her first regular-season start in the final match of the season, making five saves in a 3–2 loss to Bay FC on November 2.[12]

Fort Lauderdale United (loan)

After her rookie NWSL season, it was announced on November 9, 2024, that Hinz would be loaned to USL Super League club Fort Lauderdale United FC through February 16, 2025.[13] She made her first club appearance a day later in a 1–1 draw to Tampa Bay Sun FC.

References

  1. ^ a b c "Heather Hinz". Houston Dash. Retrieved August 1, 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d e f "Heather Hinz". South Carolina Gamecocks. Retrieved August 1, 2024.
  3. ^ a b c Adams, Emily (October 5, 2022). "How South Carolina goalkeeper Heather Hinz found inspiration in sister's NWSL career". The Greenville News. Retrieved August 1, 2024.
  4. ^ Koh, Michael (November 13, 2021). "UNC Women's Soccer Suffers Shock Defeat in First Round of NCAA Tournament". Chapelboro.com. Retrieved August 1, 2024.
  5. ^ Barry, Caroline (January 25, 2023). "Emphasis on defense fuels Gamecock women's soccer, anchored by NCAA shutout leader Heather Hinz". Carolina News and Reporter. School of Journalism and Mass Communications, University of South Carolina. Retrieved August 1, 2024.
  6. ^ Hindle, Tom (November 4, 2022). "Recapping Women's Conference Tourney Semis". TopDrawerSoccer. Retrieved August 1, 2024.
  7. ^ Adams, Emily (November 6, 2022). "South Carolina women's soccer wins SEC championship, redeems earlier loss to Alabama". The Greenville News. Retrieved August 1, 2024.
  8. ^ Vereen, Matthew (January 12, 2024). "Gamecock Soccer's Hinz selected by Houston in NWSL Draft". WACH. Retrieved August 1, 2024.
  9. ^ "Houston Dash Announce Roster Updates". Houston Dash. August 1, 2024. Retrieved August 1, 2024.
  10. ^ Taft, Jay (July 31, 2024). "Star goalie Erin McKinney becomes first from Rockford area to make pro debut in NWSL". Rockford Register Star. Retrieved August 1, 2024.
  11. ^ Franca, Izabelle (August 1, 2024). "Houston Dash aiming for semi-final spot after epic win over Tigres". MLS Multiplex. Retrieved August 1, 2024.
  12. ^ "Houston Dash Split the Regular Season Series with Bay FC to Close the Season". Houston Dash. November 3, 2024. Retrieved November 3, 2024.
  13. ^ "Houston Dash Loan Goalkeeper Heather Hinz to Fort Lauderdale United FC". Houston Dash. November 9, 2024. Retrieved November 10, 2024.