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Heather Hinz (born June 27, 2001) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a goalkeeper for USL Super League club Fort Lauderdale United FC, on loan from the Houston Dash of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). She played collegiately for the South Carolina Gamecocks before being drafted by the Dash in the 2024 NWSL Draft.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | June 27, 2001[1] | ||
| Place of birth | Laytonsville, Maryland, U.S. | ||
| Height | 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m)[1] | ||
| Position(s) | Goalkeeper | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team |
Fort Lauderdale United (on loan from the Houston Dash) | ||
| Number | 31 | ||
| College career | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2019–2023 | South Carolina Gamecocks | 78 | (0) |
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2024– | Houston Dash | 1 | (0) |
| 2024– | → Fort Lauderdale United (loan) | 1 | (0) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of November 10, 2024 | |||
Hinz was born in Laytonsville, Maryland, to Laura and Lance Hinz.[1][2] She has three older sisters, one of whom, Megan, played soccer as a goalkeeper at Michigan before turning professional and then becoming a college coach.[3] Hinz started out as a striker before being asked to play in goal because of an injury to her Olympic Development Program team's keeper.[3] She played high school soccer at Our Lady of Good Counsel and ECNL club soccer for Bethesda Union.[2]
South Carolina Gamecocks
Following one season as a backup, Hinz became the starting goalkeeper for the South Carolina Gamecocks during the pandemic-abbreviated 2020 season.[2][3] In the 2021 postseason, she had to make only three saves in an upset of North Carolina in the first round of the NCAA tournament and went on to record a career-high eleven saves in their quarterfinal loss to BYU.[2][4] She led the country with 13 clean sheets in the 2022 season, part of the strong defense on a Gamecock team that ranked as high as third nationally.[5] In that year's SEC championship, she saved three penalty kicks in a semifinal shootout against Georgia and made a last-minute save to keep her shutout against Alabama in the title game, being named the tournament's most valuable player.[2][6][7] She recorded ten shutouts in 2023, leading the conference in save percentage and goals against average, and was recognized as the SEC Goalkeeper of the Year and first-team All-SEC.[2]
Houston Dash
Hinz was drafted 38th overall by the Houston Dash in the third round of 2024 NWSL Draft.[8] She was signed to a one-year contract with a one-year option, becoming one of the backup options behind reigning NWSL Goalkeeper of the Year Jane Campbell.[9][10] Hinz made her professional debut on July 28, 2024, in the group stage of the 2024 NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup, recording six saves in a 3–0 win over Tigres UANL.[11] After an injury to Campbell, Hinz made her first regular-season start in the final match of the season, making five saves in a 3–2 loss to Bay FC on November 2.[12]
Fort Lauderdale United (loan)
After her rookie NWSL season, it was announced on November 9, 2024, that Hinz would be loaned to USL Super League club Fort Lauderdale United FC through February 16, 2025.[13] She made her first club appearance a day later in a 1–1 draw to Tampa Bay Sun FC.
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