Carmen Liberto is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Chaparral High School for AZPreps365.com

Playing on varsity can be a huge opportunity in a high school athlete’s career. But playing on varsity as an underclassmen might bring a different amount of pressure. 

Shay Spoor, the sophomore starting goalie on the Chaparral girls soccer team, was on varsity last year as a freshman, and she has worked her way up to being ranked third nationally in girls soccer goals against average for the 2024-2025 season..  

Spoor has 16 shutouts for this season, and has helped lead her team to their win in the 5A State Tournament championship game.

Spoor has been playing soccer since she was 3 years old and she said she has been in love with the sport ever since. When she was younger, Spoor said she played a lot of football and other sports with her brothers, but had a habit of always catching the ball. 

That habit led to her choosing to pursue a soccer career in goaltending. 

Even though Spoor said she loves the game, but playing on the varsity team comes with more pressure than she realized before, Spoor said. 

“There’s definitely a lot of pressure and expectations, but it’s also more of a learning experience,” Spoor said. “The team really pushes me to be a better version of myself just because of the higher expectation.” 

Since her freshman year, she has seen an increase in her playing time. 

Being on the team with upperclassmen has made her a better player and made her handle the pressure better, she said.   

Spoor’s fellow teammates, which are majority upperclassmen, have watched her become the player she is now. 

Ava Hinske, a senior forward, said she watched Spoor be thrown onto the varsity field to take a leadership role on the team even though it was a “hard position.”

Hinske said being in the position of not only being on varsity as an underclassmen, but playing goalie gives them the opportunity to grow under pressure. 

“Everybody’s leadership skills on this team are great, but specifically Shay, just because she’s a goalie, the way she talks on the field and the way she uplifts everybody,” Hinske said. “It’s just impressive.” 

Coach Robyn Carlson brought Spoor onto the team in her first year and has also been able to watch Spoor come into her own. 

Carlson said Spoor stands out in her position because of the confidence she brings and gives to other players – even in tough situations such as letting a goal or two in. 

“After letting three goals in while playing against Highland High School, she tried to uplift the team and really get out there and do everything she can,” Carlson said. 

Carlson also said Spoor has fully stepped into her leadership role, by communicating more, making directions and calling for the ball in situations she’s needed in. 

Spoor is now able to call herself, along with the rest of her teammates, a state champion. 

She made four saves total for the game, helping to protecting the team's lead in their 3-1 win.