We've already taken a look at 24 breakout forward candidates and 22 breakout defender candidates for the upcoming girls prep hockey season.
Now, it's time for the goalies.
As I mentioned in the previous two stories, there are many more breakout candidates than just the players mentioned here. These players simply caught my eye entering the new season.
Again, let’s acknowledge our criteria.
First, most of these goalies weren't the full-time starters on their teams last season. Second, how do we define a breakout? The way I looked at it: these are players who have stood out on the club circuits or shown well in smaller samples in prep, but their best (or at least best statistical) prep hockey may still be in store. For that reason, a college commitment didn’t preclude a player from being mentioned. There are a handful of college commits mentioned in this story whose best prep hockey is still ahead of them.
Let's dive into eight goalies, listed alphabetically by last name, who could break out in prep this season.
BREAKOUT CANDIDATES: 24 forwards who could shine in 2025-26 | 22 defenders ready to impress this season
Madelyn Andrade, Tilton | G
Andrade (Plymouth, Mass.) will have a chance to take on most of the work in net for Tilton this season with Evelyn Lacey (Braintree, Mass.) now at Tabor. Even in limited action, Andrade still saw 250 shots and finished with a .932 save percentage. The junior, who plays for the 19U Northeast Generals, moves well and anticipates well in the crease.
Songdy Assoume, Holderness | G
Assoume was fantastic for Holderness last year, putting up a .965 save percentage in a timeshare with Mia Gonsalves (Billerica, Mass.). The former gave up just seven goals on 199 shots all season. She was also strong as a sophomore with a .934. As a captain and Holderness' most experienced netminder this season, Assoume could be in line to take on most of the starting duties ahead of what could be a stout senior year.
Ellie Beigel, Rivers | G
It's Beigel's (Natick, Mass.) time to shine in the crease for Rivers after she split the net with Serafina Applegate (Lexington, Mass.). The SUNY Plattsburgh commit is a standout with the 19U Minuteman Lady Flames in the fall, and she had some stellar performances last season, including a 36-save showing in a 3-2 upset of Dexter Southfield in the regular-season finale last year. It handed Dexter its second loss of the season.
‘PROVE PEOPLE WRONG’: Why Rivers is a sleeping giant in girls prep
River Grady, Williston Northampton | G
Grady (Bedford, N.H.) has a shot to step up in the crease for Williston this season after starter Olivia Ferebee graduated. The former has shown well in limited samples in the past, posting a .953 save percentage as a sophomore after putting up a .911 as a freshman. The '08 has had a good fall with the 19U Boston Americans, and the Wildcats will have one of the best foundations in prep in front of her.
Katie Hurley, Berkshire | G
Hurley was strong in the crease when she was healthy last season. The St. Cloud State commit had a .943 save percentage. She had two shutouts through four starts to begin the season before going down with an injury, and she posted three shutouts in four appearances once she returned. It was an improvement on her .896 save percentage as a freshman. Now is her chance to shine in the crease for the Huskies. Hurley was a standout for the 16U Connecticut Polar Bears at USA Hockey Nationals.
Izzy Kirby, Deerfield | G
Deerfield's crease is up for grabs after Campbell Krotee (Darien, Conn.) graduated, following a run to a Large School title. The Big Green return much of the same group, which will ease the transition in the crease. Kirby and junior Ana Makrogiannis return as the incumbents between the pipes. Kirby, a senior, did well when she saw time last season, putting up a .926 save percentage. The Hobart & William Smith commit pitched shutouts against Millbrook (23 saves) and Taft (12 saves), and she was impressive when I caught Deerfield's win at St. Paul's on Feb. 5, making 23 saves on 24 shots.
RANKINGS: Who leads the first girls prep top 10 entering 2025-26? | Which teams outside of the top 10 could contend?
Ella Puleo, Brooks | G
Puleo (Newburyport, Mass.) lost her sophomore season after tearing her ACL. With a clean bill of health, Brooks hopes the junior can be among the top goalies in prep. With a young, new-look team, the Bishops will need her to be just that. She'll have plenty of opportunity this winter.
Noel Schaab, Choate | G
Schaab (Sherman, Conn.) had a .916 save percentage as a junior at Choate last season, and she could have an even better season in the crease. The Hamilton commit has sound positioning, and her 5-foot-10 frame allows her to take up a lot of the net. In a standout showing with the 19U Bay State Breakers earlier this fall, Schaab did a great job of tracking pucks, limiting rebounds and making big saves on Grade-A looks.
PREP PREVIEWS: Nobles | Exeter | Cushing | Tabor | Groton | New Hampton | Andover | Dexter Southfield | BB&N | Williston Northampton | Loomis Chaffee | Thayer
