From College to Pro: Emmie Allen’s Path to Professional Goalkeeping

Emmie Allen is a professional soccer player and goalkeeper who currently plays for Bay FC in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). From High Point, North Carolina, she had a standout college career at the University of North Carolina (UNC), where she played as the starting goalkeeper. She was instrumental in leading her team to the national championship match in 2022, recording numerous saves and shutouts. After declaring for the 2024 NWSL Draft but not being selected, Allen joined Bay FC for preseason training and signed a one-year contract in March 2024. She made her professional debut in July 2024. Off the field, Allen is passionate about fitness and enjoys motivating others.

The College Foundation: Why It’s Crucial

"College soccer was a crucial and transformative step in my journey to professional soccer. It provided me with invaluable experiences and challenges that shaped both my game and my mindset. Playing at UNC, where the expectation was always to contend for a national championship, created an environment full of pressure and high stakes. While it was intense at times, I’m incredibly thankful for that pressure now, because it taught me how to handle the demands of the professional world. The intensity of the college game pushed me to evolve as a goalkeeper in ways I didn’t expect. I faced a fair share of challenges, made mistakes, and encountered setbacks, but each experience became an opportunity to grow. Through those tough moments, I developed a stronger mental resilience and a deeper understanding of the game. Looking back, every mistake was a building block that ultimately made me a better player. College soccer also played a significant role in my personal development. It was more than just about improving on the field—it helped me grow as an individual. The discipline, the team dynamics, and the daily grind all contributed to shaping my character. I learned how to balance the pressures of high-level competition with the need to stay grounded, and I’m grateful for that balance."

EXPOSURE & OPPORTUNITIES: "From my freshman year of college, I actively sought exposure from professional scouts. I reached out to teams, asking if I could train with them during the summer, though it didn’t come to fruition. Still, that initiative showed my determination and eagerness to be part of a professional environment. To further highlight my progress, I made a habit of compiling highlights from each game I played. At the end of the season, I would create a comprehensive highlight reel showcasing my growth and performance over the entire year. This dedication to self-promotion and constant improvement helped me stay focused on my goal of playing professionally."

Trials and First Professional Contracts

"Although I wasn’t selected in the 2024 NWSL Draft, my journey took an unexpected turn right after the draft. The goalkeeper trainer from Bay FC reached out to me and invited me to preseason to try out for the team and earn a contract. I entered preseason with a "nothing to lose" mentality, and it pushed me to have some of the best performances and practices of my life. Stepping into the professional environment, I quickly learned the importance of being fully locked in—both mentally and physically—throughout every practice. It became clear that I had to believe in myself and trust that I was good enough to be there because, at the end of the day, no one else is going to have that belief for you. When I was told at the end of the two-month preseason tryout that I was being offered a contract, it was one of the most incredible feelings I’ve ever had. All the sacrifices, hard work, and determination had paid off, and my dream had finally come true. That moment will always be unforgettable, and I don’t think anything will ever top the sheer joy of realizing that my dream was now my reality."

 Challenges & Overcoming Them

"Mental toughness is essential to being a professional soccer player, and even more so for a goalkeeper. It can be tough when only one goalkeeper gets to play at a time, and there are times when you feel left out or like you’re not wanted. But it’s in those moments that you have to believe in yourself and remind yourself that you’re good enough, even if you’re not the starter. I work with a sports psychologist every week to help me overcome mistakes and mental roadblocks that arise during practice or games. When I’m not the one playing in games, I treat practice as if it’s a real match, putting pressure on myself to perform at the highest level. As a professional, I’ve learned that perfection isn’t the goal, but striving for it is. Even the best soccer players in the world make mistakes every day. What truly matters is how you respond to those mistakes. It’s how you bounce back that ultimately determines whether you’ll grow and improve from them or let them hold you back. "

For Aspiring Goalkeepers

"What sets me apart from most goalkeepers is my unshakable self-belief and confidence. I’ve always had a strong conviction that I could achieve my dream of becoming a professional soccer player. But for me, confidence is not just about my abilities on the field—it’s about who I am as a person. At the core of that belief, I am a child of God, and that is the foundation of my confidence. When I place my confidence solely in myself or my performance, it becomes fragile. There are times when I do everything right to prepare, yet still don’t perform my best or face a loss. Sometimes, things are simply beyond my control. But my true confidence comes from my faith in the Lord. He is a constant, unwavering foundation in my life. His love and acceptance are not dependent on how I perform, and that gives me a sense of peace and security that nothing else can provide. Whether religious or not, my biggest piece of advice is to know who you truly are and what your values are. If your identity is built only on your performance in soccer, it can all come crashing down when things don’t go your way. Understanding your worth beyond the game gives you the resilience to weather the challenges and setbacks, knowing that your value isn’t defined by any single moment or outcome. "