Big Cat Newsletter - Fall 2023

by Neil Thompson

Introduction 

Oi Oi Big Cats! This is our second installment of the Big Cat Newsletter. For those of you who are new readers: welcome! We use this newsletter as a simple, clear way to announce all things Big Cat including the accomplishments of some of our Big Cat goalkeepers, and relaying important information about Big Cat events.
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Upcoming Events

  • Gloves/Apparel Deals

    • Fall Fire Sale - LIVE
    • Black Friday Sale – November 24 – December 1
      • Additional Limited Inventory Releases
      • Deals on Current Gloves

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 Pro Spotlight 

We find enormous value in sharing the successes of the goalkeepers within our Big Cat family that have gone on to do great things at the Pro level. We hope all of our Big Cat goalkeepers aspire to play at the highest level possible, so we feel it is necessary to remind you: it IS possible! We have tons to share, so let’s get right into it.

Roman Celentano Wins MLS Supporters’ Shield & Signs Extension

Roman Celentano FC Cincinnati Big Cat Goalkeeping
Earning the #1 spot outright from his performance last season, Big Cat Roman Celentano has snatched his first bit of professional hardware by clinching the MLS Supporters’ Shield with FC Cincinnati. Earlier in the season Roman also extended his contract with FC Cincy through 2027. With historical moments for both the club and Roman, all sights are now focused on the MLS Playoffs and winning the MLS Cup where FC Cincy has moved past NY Red Bulls in the first leg of the knockout rounds via Roman's winning PK shootout save. The next round of playoffs will be played against the winners of the Philadelphia Union v NE Revolution series.

Brian Schwake Earns Copa Del Rey Win

After a phenomenal stint at Greenock Morton & in Scotland, Brian Schwake took a big step in his professional career by signing for Spanish third division club CD Castellon. Recently Brian earned a cap and win in the Copa Del Rey, moving his team onto the next round of knockout via a 3-2 ET thriller. While moving to a new country and changing clubs, Brian is working hard to break into consistent first team action as Castellon currently sits in first in the Primera Federación table.

Lysianne Proulx: World Cup Selection & Melbourne Move


A Big Cat Camp React attendee in 2019, Lysianne had the opportunity to represent her home nation of Canada at the 2023 Women’s World Cup. At the conclusion of the tournament, Lys earned herself another great opportunity and signed at club level with Melbourne City in the first tier of Australian women’s football where she is currently in season.

Phallon Tullis-Joyce to Manchester United


Another Big Cat Camp React attendee, Phallon Tullis-Joyce completed an incredible move to the legendary footballing grounds of Manchester United this past fall. A University of Miami graduate and starter for Ol Reign in the NWSL, Phallon’s abilities captured the attention of the English side. We wish Phallon the best of luck this season as she looks to work her way into the United squad.

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 Local Legends 

This section will be all about YOU, our Big Cat Family! Each letter we will highlight some of our young keepers' accolades and accomplishments for all to see. We hope to capture as many stories as possible, so feel free to reach out to your local Big Cat coach to mention something you feel deserves to be recognized! We will do our best to get you included - just remember you (or your goalkeeper) have a long journey ahead of them and many more successes to come. What they achieve today is only the beginning.

Molly Vapensky Earns Additional USYNT Caps

Continuing her impressive run of form, Molly Vapensky was once again selected for the USYWNT roster at the U-17 age level. The competition took place in Carson, California where she earned the USA a shutout against Japan and was even able to catch up with some of the California Big Cat family after the match!

 

Duran Ferree Selected for U-17 USYNT World Cup Roster Spot

After signing a professional contract for San Diego Loyal Last at the age of 16, Duran has proven his worth to the USSF by getting called in for the U-17 World Cup. The tournament is taking place in Indonesia this November.

Kate Praetz Sets Program Shutout Record

Big Cat Kate Praetz is near the top the NCAA DIII charts this 2023 fall season, earning a Conference Tournament Title for St. Catherine’s program, FOURTEEN clean sheets,  along with 94 saves, only eight goals allowed, .928 Save Percentage, and a 0.40 Goals-Against Average. That puts her at a staggering 268 saves, 30 shutouts, and 0.62 GAA for her four seasons at St. Kate’s, setting school records for both shutouts and GAA. We wish her the best of luck as her team moves into NCAA playoffs.

Cabral Carter Leads #20 Pitt Backline

 

California Big Cat Cabral Carter solidified his spot along the Pitt Panthers' backline this fall as a sophomore, helping his team hold a DI NCAA national ranking for the majority of the season. Cabral managed 16 starts and 6 shutouts on the year, earning PNC Player of the Week for his school after back-to-back shutouts -one of which was against #9 ranked Duke University.


Marcus Goree & James Rhodes Selected for LA Galaxy Academy

 

Longtime California Big Cat trainees, James Rhodes & Marcus Goree earned positions into the LA Galaxy Youth Academy this fall, proving their hard work and dedication into the goalkeeping craft has begun to shine through. James and Marcus will both be on our radar as they make their ways through the academy and take the next steps in their playing careers.

Maverick Deutsch Selected for RSL Academy

Making the move from Santa Monica Surf, another California Big Cat is making strides into the MLS Academy system at the U-15 level for Real Salt Lake. Maverick has worked extremely hard within his club, putting in extra training as a GK to push himself to the next level. We are excited to see his progress and journey begin to take shape.

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 College Cats 

A quick catalogue of some of our current college Big Cats along with some of their career accomplishments.
  • Alex Flowers - Oakland University (Mich.)
    • Transferred from Western Illinois University (2022)
    • WIU: 32 Matches, 132 Saves, Second Team All-Summit League
    • Oakland: 3 Matches, 22 Saves, 0.759 SV%
  • Caitlin Richards - University of Northern Iowa
    • 2022 MVC All-Tournament Team
    • 59 Matches, 199 Saves, .762 SV%, 17 Shutouts, 
  • Kate Praetz - St. Catherine Univerisity
    • Rookie of the Year Nominee 2021
    • USC All-Region, MIAC All-Conference 2021
    • 62 Matches, 268 Saves, 0.62 GAA, .876 SV%, 30 Shutouts
  • Bobby Curran - Davenport University
    • Transferred from UW-Green Bay (2023)
    • Davenport: 12 Matches, 41 Saves, 0.774 SV%, 4 Shutouts 
  • Bella Schopp -  Brown University
    • All-Ivy League Honorable Mention 2022
    • Ivy League Conference Champion 2022
    • 13 Matches, 28 Saves, .74 GAA, .778 SV%, 4 Shutouts
  • Cabral Carter - Pitt
    • 16 Matches, 56 Saves, 0.700 SV%, 6 Shutouts
  • Riley Johnson - North Central College
    • 14 Matches, 21 Saves, 0.677 SV% 4 Shutouts
  • Matt Marchiori - University of Dubuque
    • ARC Honorable Mention 2022
    • 26 Matches, 82 Saves, 0.672 SV%, 6 Shutouts
  • Matt Vollmer - UW Whitewater
    • 21 Matches, 24 Saves, 1 Shutout
  • Joey Moore - MSOE
    • 12 Matches, 8 Saves
  • Trevor Share - Butler University
  • Liam Fitzgerald - Denver University
  • Ian Turnbull - Coastal Carolina
  • Lucas Ortiz - Eastern Illinois University
  • Dawson Yegge - St. Ambrose University
  • Giancarlo Sagredo - Oregon State University
  • Nova Rothlisberger - Missouri Western State University

New Commitments:

  • Hayden Vostal - DePaul University
  • Alyssa Gluting - Fairfield University
  • Simon Bank - Haverford College
  • Molly Vapensky - Duke University

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Thank you for taking the time to read. As always, this is a project that is ever-changing and improving and we value your feedback! These posts are a work in progress. If you are missing on our college lists and would like to be added or if there is information that you would like to be corrected, please reach out to ian@bigcatgoalkeeping.com.

We encourage you to get involved with as many events as possible to get you or your goalkeeper to the level they deserve. We hope everyone has a fantastic winter season! 

"SMASH IT"

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