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Goalkeepers

Welcome to Our Keeper Page!

We are striving for at least three keeper sessions per week, and GK coaches are getting out to weekend games as well! We will now be posting our training schedule updates on Twitter. You do not need to have a Twitter account to view these, just click on the Twitter box on the right side of this page or use this link:

https://twitter.com/fcalliancegk

Also, if you use the Twitter "push notifications" feature, it will alert you when new posts are made.  Training videos post there as well!


Emma Cooke flying around!

FC Alliance Goalkeeper Staff

Hemant Sharma: Director of Goalkeeping
Carrie Ollom: Samford University goalkeeper
Allison Whitworth: Auburn Univ. and NWSL pro keeper; Jamaica Natl. Team Coach
Jon Taylor: Maryville College goalkeeper 
Bogachan Akyildiz: Tennessee Wesleyan Univ. goalkeeper
Ben Patin: Union College goalkeeper
Daniel Adelman: ETSU goalkeeper
Luke Wheat: Maryville College goalkeeper

Former FC Alliance Keeper Coaches in the College Ranks:

Marty Baker: University of Tennessee, Keeper Coach
Ben Munger: University of Texas, Keeper Coach
Bryan Walker: Tennessee Wesleyan University, Head Coach
Alyssa Whitehead: George Mason University, Keeper Coach (Jamaica National Team World Cup!!)

Goalkeeper Staff

Our staff includes former collegiate and professional goalkeepers.  Led by Director of Goalkeeping Hemant Sharma and Assistant Director Carrie Ollom, a former Samford goalkeeper, our staff offers a wealth of high level coaching and playing experience.  We often offer guest sessions led by college coaches and current & former professional players.  U.S. National Team Goalkeeper and MLS Goalkeeper of the Year Luis Robles has joined us for training before!

Topics covered at sessions include every aspect of being a successful goalkeeper: ready position, catching, breakaways, crosses, footwork, punting, goal kicks, throwing, communication and more.  Goalkeeper coaches also observe keepers in their team practices and provide feedback. 

Non-club keepers may be permitted to attend sessions for a fee, provided their club coach grants permission. See our written policy on this matter below under Resources.


Be sure to check out topbarkeepers.com for information about summer and winter goalkeeping camps in the Knoxville area!

Contact Information

Hemant Sharma: hsharma@utk.edu

Carrie Ollom: cjollom@gmail.com

Whit tries to meg Hemant -- not happening!

Whit tries to meg Hemant... not happening!


MLS Goalkeeper of the Year (NY Red Bulls) and US National Team Goalkeeper Luis Robles at FC Alliance Training


Congratulations to Marty Baker on being named assistant coach at VCU! Thanks for all you have done for our goalkeepers and good luck!

FC Alliance Keepers in the Pros!

Taylor Bailey: Oakland Roots (USL Championship)

FC Alliance Keepers in MLS Academies

Robert Eaton, 2004: FC Cincinnati 
Adam Leonard, 2006: Nashville SC
Harrison Odell, 2008: Nashville SC

FC Alliance Keepers to Play in College

Hailey Abston: UT-Chattanooga
Daniel Adelman: East Tenn. State Univ.
Taylor Bailey: Nova Southeastern Univ.
Jordan Beets: High Point University
Anthony Bernardi: King University
Levi Burdette: Carson-Newman Univ.
Emma Cooke: Presbyterian Univ.
Katelyn Cooley: Xavier University
Katie Cottrell: Carson-Newman Univ.
Liz Denton: Trevecca Nazarene University
Erin Douglas: Freed-Hardeman University
Lindsey Dunham: King University
Caroline Eckern: UT-Chattanooga
Katie Emig: UT-Chattanooga
Bijan Gloston: Marshall University
Mackenzie Haba: University of Tennessee
Brayanah Hack: Tennessee Tech 
Peyton Huber: Liberty University
Rose Hull: Furman University
Maggie Jones: Berry College
Ryan Jorgensen: ETSU; Maryville College
Max Kaplan: Univ. of Memphis
Mayson Liner: Wofford University
Austen Meyers: Tennessee Wesleyan
Molli Miller: UT-Chattanooga
Shayne Miller: Doane University
Carter McAdoo: Maryville College
Keagan McCoy: University of Texas
Sam McGee: East Tenn. State Univ.
Tess Mrozek: East Tenn. State Univ. / King
Jasmine Rizk: Carson-Newman Univ.
Abbey Saddler: Univ. of Arkansas; UT-Chatt.
Luke Semann: Maryville College
Sarah Slusher: Georgetown (KY) College
Jake Spirko: Milligan College
Dezmond Thompson: Northern Kentucky
Lindsey Todd: Austin Peay University 
Mollie Wheeler: Lee University
Jared Whittenbarger: Milligan College
Maddie Williams: Milligan College

Current  College Commitments:
Cayden Norris: University of Tennessee


Here is former First Team All-SEC goalkeeper Julie Eckel from the University of Tennessee. Thanks for helping out with FC Alliance keepers during your time in Knoxville!


FC Alliance Coach Allison Whitworth takes out Abby Wambach in a women's pro league game. Whit played for the Atlanta Beat and FC Gold Pride. Thanks for all of your coaching efforts in Knoxville!

Resources for Goalkeepers