Ashlyn Harris Wins 2016 NWSL Goalkeeper of the Year Award

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Orlando Pride goalkeeper Ashlyn Harris stands in goal during a 2-1 loss to the Washington Spirit at Camping World Stadium on Friday, Aug. 26, 2016. (Photo by Daniel Castrillon / New Day Review)

Orlando Pride goalkeeper Ashlyn Harris provided some of the best highlights for the first-year National Women’s Soccer League team. Those highlights contributed to her winning the 2016 NWSL Goalkeeper of the Year award Tuesday, per a league announcement.

Harris helped the ninth-place Pride by posting four clean sheets, finishing with a 5-9-1 record this season. The 30-year-old won a league-high eight NWSL Save of the Week awards en route to the league’s second-most 62 saves. Harris faced the third-most shots on goal (82), behind only the Houston Dash’s Lydia Williams (83) and FC Kansas City’s Nicole Barnhart (102).

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Orlando Pride goalkeeper Ashlyn Harris poses with a fan after a 2-1 loss to FC Kansas City at Camping World Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2016. (Photo by Victor Tan / New Day Review)

The University of North Carolina alumna found herself in good company, as she was pitted against the Portland Thorns FC’s Michelle Betos and the Chicago Red Stars’ Alyssa Naeher. The former won the goalkeeper award in 2015 while the latter received the honor in 2014. In 2013, Barnhart won.

Harris is the first member of an expansion team to win a league award, according to the Pride’s press release.

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