Lipscomb women’s soccer goalkeeper CJ Graham is ranked 9th in the nation in save percentage after the NCAA Division I weekly statistics were updated Tuesday.
The sophomore stopper boasts a .879 save rate, conceding only 7 times in 12 matches and collecting 51 total saves.
Graham has also played the most overall minutes of the top 10 in save percentage, racking up 1,121 minutes this campaign.
Bisons head coach Kevin O’Brien hardly seemed surprised about Graham’s accomplishments; the 10-year leader of Lipscomb’s women’s soccer program was quick to praise Graham’s work all season long.
“It’s been a great debut season for CJ, no doubt!” said O’Brien. “We knew she had it in her since her arrival on campus, but to see her develop right in front of our eyes has been a coach’s joy.”
“I believe that she’s improving with each and every performance and I’m confident that her best is yet to come.”
Hailing from the Asheville suburb of Swannanoa, North Carolina, Graham has played every minute that the Bisons have been on the field after backing up 4-year starter Melissa Gray in goal last year.
Graham boasts a wealth of experience outside of her current position; she played in the field as an attacker before being converted by her youth coaches into a goalkeeper.
A graduate of Asheville STEM school Nesbitt Discovery Academy, a school with no soccer program, she played her high school soccer with the Owen High School Warlassies. At Owen, she played both goalkeeper and attacking midfielder for the varsity team. While only an 8th grader, she scored the match-winning goal in the NCISAA AA state championship match.
On the strength of Graham’s seven clean sheets, the Bisons have picked up 8 wins and a draw from twelve matches, including a 3-0-1 ASUN record.
The Bisons travel to Louisville, Kentucky for their next piece of action in a conference clash with Bellarmine. That match takes place 5 p.m. Thursday at Frazier Stadium in south Louisville.
The match will be broadcast live by The Bison, Lipscomb’s on-campus radio station. The Bison is available by downloading The Bison app or by listening online at thebisonradio.com.
Photo courtesy of Lipscomb Athletics