Women’s Soccer’s Allison Deardorff Dazzles in First Year as Starter

When women’s soccer redshirt first-year goalkeeper Allison Deardorff first came to Rogers Park at the beginning of the 2023-2024 season, she spent games on the sidelines, waiting for her chance to take the field for the first time. This season, she got that chance and has shown herself to be a force in the goal.           

Deardorff first began playing soccer at the age of four. She and her brothers all played at the same club, Sockers FC, growing up — a decision made by their parents which served as an alternative to daycare, according to Deardorff. Through her early exposure, Deardorff said she quickly developed a love for soccer. 

The Isasca, IL native said she initially began her playing career switching between goalkeeper and forward, later after recognizing her talent between the posts, she decided to stay in the role. 

Interim head coach Angela Staveksie said in goal, Deardorff is a fierce competitor who’s been able to maintain her competitive spirit while also bringing out the best in herself and her teammates in both practices and games.

“She’s probably one of the most competitive players and goalkeepers that I’ve worked with but at the same time she brings this goofiness and fun,” Staveskie said. “She just brings a great balance both on and off the field. She’s committed, very committed to it, but there’s also this fun, you know, lightness to her.”

Staveskie said Deardorff’s calm approach to her position and the game as a whole is a strength. 

“Goalkeeper is a tough position because it can be more stressful than others,” Staveskie said. “Your margin of error is just slimmer, you don’t get as many opportunities to make mistakes.”

Last season, then first-year Deardorff declared a redshirt year, taking the time to acclimate to the team alongside fellow goalkeepers including then graduate Naya Lipkens and fourth-year Emma Gutherie. 

Deardorff said redshirting for a year allowed her to learn under the presence of two veteran goalies, she said studying the game from the sidelines helped her prepare for the 2024 season.

Fellow redshirt first-year and forward Emily Rossi said she could see how Deardorff’s redshirt year benefited her.

“I think she did want to come in and play, but she allowed herself to take a year, take a step back and really learn from everything and then come in this year with some sort of vengeance and ready to prove to everyone that she deserves to be here and she belongs in the field,” Rossi said.

This season, Deardorff has started in all 19 of the Ramblers’ games and has allowed just 13 goals and made 71 saves, including a season high 11 saves against Fordham University Sept. 22 and five against 2024 Atlantic 10 regular season champions Saint Louis University Sept. 26.

Deardorff said it felt good coming into Rogers Park this season and being able to secure the spot as starting goalie, especially after her redshirt year.

Staveskie said Deardorff has both earned and embraced her starting spot and it’s been amazing to see her thrive as a player, despite the pressure associated with being goalie. 

Despite having locked the starting position and being confident in her abilities, Deardorff  continues to ask questions of her goalkeeper coach and other goalies, according to Staveskie. 

“The effort that she gives is really invaluable and you know that regardless of the outcome, she’s always going to put her best foot forward, compete as hard as she can and give the team the best that she has,” Staveskie said. 

Ross said in the 10 years she’s known Deardorff and seen her play at their shared soccer club, she’s consistently been a hard working player and is one of the most competitive people she knows. Rossi said she believes these qualities make Deardorff one of the best goalies in the A10.

“She hates losing,” Rossi said. “She’s always reading the energy, she’s always making these insane saves and just being super competitive — she’s always working super hard.”

Deardorff’s presence on the field extends far beyond her goalkeeping abilities. Her leadership and confidence on the pitch have had a significant impact on her teammates, including Rossi, who said knowing Deardorff is in the goal puts her at ease down the field.

“She’s just a very calming presence back there because she’s so confident in herself, in the saves, that she can make it,” Rossi said. “I think that it makes the team more confident. She’s just a great leader from the back — she’s always talking, communicating and that really sets the tone for the team.”

Deardorff’s season hasn’t gone unnoticed in the conference, as she’s racked up several A10 honors including three Rookie of the Week awards and a Defensive Player of the Week nod. 

Deardorff said the recognition means a lot to her and credits her teammates in helping her achieve these accolades. 

“It means a lot for me and my team,” Deardorff said. “It just shows that my defense is amazing and they help me out and help me win those awards too.”