History was made on Saturday afternoon as the U.S. Soccer Federation announced former Penn State women’s soccer goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher was named the U.S. Soccer Female Player of The Year.

Naeher became the second goalkeeper to win this honor in 40 years and the first Nittany Lion to ever win the award.

Naeher had a spectacular 2024 on both an international and club level as she became the third U.S. goalkeeper to make 100 appearances for the national team. She was also voted Best FIFA Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year for her efforts this past season.

Naeher made her mark with the US Women’s National Team, coming up big in multiple penalty shootouts during the 2024 Concacaf W Gold Cup and summer Olympic tournaments. Naeher kept a clean sheet throughout all three U.S. knockout matches in the Olympics, claiming more shutouts than she had goals allowed during the tournament, 3-2.

With her shutout performance against Brazil in the gold medal game, Naeher became the first goalkeeper to earn a shutout in a FIFA Women’s World Cup final and Olympic gold medal game.

Naeher retired from international play earlier this year but will continue her professional club career with the Chicago Stars during this upcoming NWSL season.