Miranda Goldner finds her greatest thrill in the moments that make others crumble. When the game is on the line and a striker is bearing down on her goal, she is the only person who can stop them from scoring. In those moments, the University of Idaho freshman defender feels most alive, living out a dream she’s had since she started playing soccer at three years old.
As Goldner walked off the field after practice, her cleats raking against the bleachers, she lit up and smiled as she talked about the game she loves so much.
“I’ve been in love with the game forever,” Goldner said. “I find a big thrill out of defending the back line, getting into hard slide tackles. The intensity thrills me. I love it once the ball gets past the front line and midfield and gets into the back. You’re heavily relied on, and I like that. I get protective of the back, and it’s just a big thrill like defending the dome.”
The Martinez, California native grew up with a dream of not only playing Division 1 soccer but one day lacing up her boots in the professional ranks.
“Life has been soccer forever,” Goldner said. “I tried out a few sports and fell in love with soccer, so I stuck with it. I’ve wanted to play D1 since I was a little girl. I also had big dreams to be a pro soccer player, and I’m so thrilled to be here.”
Goldner had a passion for the next level, and from eighth grade, she had the desire to achieve her goal of playing D1. With that passion burning through her, she began the college recruiting process in eighth grade.
Years of emails, videos and attending camps all across the country led Goldner to the moment she had been waiting for since she picked up a soccer ball: selecting a college.
After talking with a few schools, she was approached by the Vandals. Following a visit to the campus in January of her junior year, she knew this was the place for her.
“I had a few talks with the coaching staff, and I liked them. They seemed like they could really help me along the way,” she said. “When I got here, I felt calm for the first time in the recruiting process, I felt sure of something. Once I met the girls, I was like, ‘This is family, this is home.’ They’re amazing people that really attracted me, then I committed two weeks later.”
Goldner has enjoyed Moscow in her short time here and has turned her Saturdays into a routine stop at the farmers market.
“I like Moscow. It’s small and cute,” Goldner said. “I lived in the Bay Area I’ve never had a small community like this. The farme’s market is my favorite thing ever. I have a routine: I go every single Saturday that we’re not traveling, and I get donuts, coffee and tacos every single time.”
The small-town atmosphere isn’t just appealing for its farmers market charm; it’s also drawn her to pursue a major in environmental science at UI.
Despite being on campus for only a short time and playing in just ten college games, Goldner has helped the Vandals keep five clean sheets in those appearances. Even though she’s only a freshman, she has already made a strong impression on head coach Jeremy Clevenger.
“I told our coaching staff, she plays like a sophomore,” Clevenger said. “She’s just mature back there. She doesn’t get flustered, she’s very good on the ball, she reads the game very well. She’s had a couple freshman moments, but she’s doing great.”
Coming from high school to D1 is not an easy transition, but Goldner has proven to be a breakout star for the Vandals’ revamped back line. Throughout her first ten games, Goldner has seen her confidence shoot up, improving game after game as she gets more comfortable playing at the D1 level.
“College is like three times the intensity of high school, and that ties into a bunch of things,” she said. “Having the intensity level go up, always staying locked in and focused, even when your legs are tired. Staying true to yourself, to the game, and having confidence that I’ve played soccer since I was three. [It] doesn’t matter what grade I’m in; I can do this. I’m able. I have a team behind me.”
The intensity that makes Goldner’s heart race during Idaho’s biggest defensive moments is the same fire that’s burned since she could kick a soccer ball
The once little girl with a dream is now living it, and every time she puts on her number three jersey and defends the dome with immense pride, it serves as a testament to that 3-year-old girl who had a dream to play the game she loves and all the sacrifice it took to get her to this moment.
Jayden Barfuss can be reached at [email protected].