By Marissa Scott
Grit. Confidence. Leadership.
All three qualities of a great goalkeeper, and all three qualities of Caitlin McManus.
The Riverside, Calif. native began playing soccer at the age of 5 and hasn’t let go.
When the love for soccer turned competitive, running back and forth on the field wasn’t going to allow her to take her where her dreams were.
“I didn’t start playing goalkeeper until my freshman year of high school,” McManus said. “I’ve always dreamed of being a Division I athlete, and I knew that playing on the field wasn’t going to do it for me.”
Throughout high school, McManus was a four-year letterwinner and as a junior, led her team to eight shutouts and a second-round California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) Southern Sectional playoff appearance.
In her four years as the starting varsity goalie, her team went undefeated in Inland Valley League Play with a record of 37-0-2.
The freshman was selected for the Under-16 and Under-18 U.S. National Teams, and was ranked in the top-85 in the country in her age group as she was invited to the Elite Clubs National League training camp in 2017.
When the goalkeeper received recognition from Division I schools, she couldn’t believe her hard work had finally paid off.
“I was amazed. I broke down in tears when I found out that I had Division I schools looking at me,” McManus said. “Coming here to San Jose, I just walked on the campus and I knew this was going to be my home for the next four years.”
The Spartan recruiting class of 2018 brought a variety of players and talents, but fifth-year head coach Lauren Hanson saw something in the freshman that would help lead the team to bigger success.
“She is very athletic and her personality is what you want and need in a goalkeeper,” Hanson said. “She is very directive and a leader. She has all the tools to be a very successful player here and afterward.”
Her ability to command the field and lead her team to victory is what her teammates and coaches are looking for.
“She is super confident and she isn’t afraid to speak her mind because she tells us what we need to hear,” said freshman forward Jada Wilson. “She is very hardworking and when she needs to step, she steps.”
Although senior Paige Simoneau will be the starting goalkeeper for the Spartans this season, McManus will prove to her team why she deserves to be starting in the future.
“Paige is a phenomenal goalkeeper and I’m learning from her that I need to maintain composure,” McManus said. “The difference between club and college ball is the confidence you gain with experience, and I really look up to Paige because of that.”
The SJSU women’s soccer team has brought success in the past after crowning themselves Mountain West regular season champions in 2017 — something the coaching staff is hoping their freshmen recruits can carry on.
“Even though we are coming off the bench, we are making a difference on the field. Lauren recruited this class specifically to be difference makers,” McManus said. “I think that all of us here have something to show and I think this class is going to be very impactful.”
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