The latest guest on New England Soccer Journal’s “The Goal” podcast is Endicott College senior goalkeeper Jackie Ruggiero.
The California native helped Endicott, a Division 3 program in Beverly, Mass., finish the 2022 season at 9-5-5. She started 16 games and posted an impressive 0.67 goals against average with eight shutouts. Ruggiero was a Second Team All-CCC selection.
Remarkably, Ruggiero has played that well despite having just four fingers on her right hand. When she was in high school, she seriously injured her hand in an accident. As a result, she later had her right ring finger partially amputated.
Still, Ruggiero was able to go on to flourish in net and become an excellent college keeper.