Wake Forest Athletics
Photo by: Seth Seebaugh / Wake Forest Athletics
Amaral Named to Mac Hermann Watch List
8/26/2026 4:09:00 PM | Women's Soccer
The keeper entered the 2026 season with a 0.84 career GAA, currently holding the top spot in program history.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Wake Forest women's soccer redshirt-junior goalkeeper Valentina Amaral has been named to the 2026 Mac Hermann Watch List, the organization announced Wednesday afternoon.
The Oviedo, Fla.-native started the first three contests of the 2026 season, and is one of two ACC keepers that has yet to concede a goal. Amaral leads the ACC in shutouts per game, saves per game and save percentage. Additionally, she is tied first in the NCAA for save percentage and goals against average, while tied fourth nationally in shutouts.
With yet to record a goal against, her career goals against average remains the best in program history, ahead of ProDeac Aubrey Kingsbury (Bledsoe).
Amaral wrapped the 2025 season with six shutouts, 81 saves, and a .794 save percentage, earning her conference and All-America nods. The keeper remained among top powers in the country and ACC, as her save percentage finished fourth in the conference.
2026 Honors and Watch Lists
Preseason Mac Hermann Goalkeepers to Watch List
Preseason Mac Hermann Players to Watch List
TopDrawerSoccer Preseason Best XI
ACC Co-Goalkeeper of the Week (Week 1)
Amaral's Career Honors
2025 All-American Third Team
2025 All-ACC Third Team
2025 All-Atlantic Region
2024 All-ACC Third Team
2024 All-Atlantic Region
Best Single-Season GAA In Program History (0.69)
These positional announcements also lead up to the 2026 watch lists for the prestigious Missouri Athletic Club's Hermann Trophy on the official start date for regular season games on August 13 (women) and August 20 (men). The MAC Hermann Trophy is presented annually to the Division I National Players of the Year as voted by Division I College Coaches at the end of the regular season. The 2026 recipients will be announced on January 8, 2027, in St. Louis, Mo.
The Oviedo, Fla.-native started the first three contests of the 2026 season, and is one of two ACC keepers that has yet to concede a goal. Amaral leads the ACC in shutouts per game, saves per game and save percentage. Additionally, she is tied first in the NCAA for save percentage and goals against average, while tied fourth nationally in shutouts.
With yet to record a goal against, her career goals against average remains the best in program history, ahead of ProDeac Aubrey Kingsbury (Bledsoe).
Amaral wrapped the 2025 season with six shutouts, 81 saves, and a .794 save percentage, earning her conference and All-America nods. The keeper remained among top powers in the country and ACC, as her save percentage finished fourth in the conference.
2026 Honors and Watch Lists
Preseason Mac Hermann Goalkeepers to Watch List
Preseason Mac Hermann Players to Watch List
TopDrawerSoccer Preseason Best XI
ACC Co-Goalkeeper of the Week (Week 1)
Amaral's Career Honors
2025 All-American Third Team
2025 All-ACC Third Team
2025 All-Atlantic Region
2024 All-ACC Third Team
2024 All-Atlantic Region
Best Single-Season GAA In Program History (0.69)
These positional announcements also lead up to the 2026 watch lists for the prestigious Missouri Athletic Club's Hermann Trophy on the official start date for regular season games on August 13 (women) and August 20 (men). The MAC Hermann Trophy is presented annually to the Division I National Players of the Year as voted by Division I College Coaches at the end of the regular season. The 2026 recipients will be announced on January 8, 2027, in St. Louis, Mo.
Players Mentioned
Goalkeeper
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