Sacramento Gold FC goalkeeper John Connolly was named the first Mitre National Player of the Week for the 2015 NPSL season.
Connolly played a stellar game in goal on Saturday as the Gold topped the SF Stompers 3-0. He came away with the clean sheet despite facing an incredible 15 shots. At least three of his saves were 1 v 1 opportunities with his best coming as a reflex save early in the game. Each save kept the momentum in Sacramento’s hands and kept the Stompers off the scoreboard.
The Annapolis, Maryland native broke several school records as a four-year varsity player at Archbishop Curley High School. He was also a standout player for the Baltimore Bays, a team that was ranked number one nationally by Soccer America in 2009. He would go on to a decorated collegiate career, starring for LIU from 2009-2013. He was a four-time member of the Northeast Conference Fall Academic Honor Roll. He played for the NPSL’s Brooklyn Italians from 2011-2013, where he was a regular with the team. He started in goal for the team’s playoff loss in 2013.
Connolly then moved to California, where he joined the Gold after a successful tryout. He soon became the starting keeper and led the Gold to the Golden Gate Conference and West Region titles in 2014.
