Racing Louisville FC has signed United States youth international Hillary Beall to a one-year contract with an option for 2023, the club announced Thursday, to round out its goalkeeping corps ahead of the 2022 season.
Beall, who attended Racing’s pre-2022 NWSL Draft goalkeeper camp back in December, was named to the All-Big Ten Tournament team last fall while captaining the University of Michigan, which went 17-4-3 on the season.
The Laguna Beach, Calif., native also boasts extensive U.S. youth national team experience, featuring in competitions from the U-17 to U-20 levels.
“Hillary is a very talented goalkeeper and brings a lot of valuable experience through her time with the youth national teams,” said Racing’s goalkeepers coach, Sergio Gonzalez. “She’s also shown her qualities throughout her career at the University of Michigan. I’m very excited to have her as part of our goalkeeping unit to see how she competes within the team.”
Beall numbered 285 saves and a 0.797 save percentage at Michigan. During her fifth-year senior season last fall the Wolverines advanced to the NCAA tournament’s quarterfinals before falling to eventual national champion Florida State in overtime.
A notable final college season followed a standout summer for Beall, who was named 2021 All-United Women’s Soccer Goalkeeper of the Year after helping SC Blue Heat to a UWS National Championship in the national pro-am league.
While wearing red, white and blue, Beall was most recently a member of the 2018 U-20 World Cup squad in France. There, she played alongside eventual Racing teammates Emily Fox, Savannah DeMelo and Jaelin Howell.
“I am really excited to be here in Louisville with a newer team and organization,” Beall said. “It has been my dream since I was a little kid to play professional soccer, so I am thrilled about it. I am ready to go to work.”
Beall, who joined Racing for the start of its preseason camp, joins fellow goalkeepers Katie Lund and Jordyn Bloomer on the roster. The club is preparing for the preseason NWSL Challenge Cup tournament kicking off March 18.
