Top five active women's hockey goalkeepers in the world

The keepers are entrusted with the responsibility of protecting the goal.

Right from it's inception, women's hockey has evolved to what it is today. The sport has achieved global status and has touched the lives of every woman associated with it. So far, there are 62 nations who are actively participating in the sport. These women enjoy the support of a huge fanbase who cheer for them.

Like any other game, hockey has different playing positions. You have strikers, midfielders, defenders and goalkeepers. Today, we are going to talk about the goalkeepers. She needs to have good balance, swift decision-making and have the courage to throw herself in the line of danger.

Moreover, the goalkeeper needs to have a calm demeanour. She should not get rattled easily. So let's check out the top five female goalkeepers in the world.

5. Maria Belen Succi ( Argentina)

Maria Belen Succi is a rangy Argentinian goalkeeper with a decorated career. The lady from Buenos Aires is a double Olympic medalist, that includes a bronze at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing and a silver at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Belen has defended her goal staunchly, winning many laurels for her country. Her other achievements include gold medals at the 2007 and 2019 Pan American Games. She also has silver medals at the same event in 2011 and 2015. Moreover, Succi has also won the 2010 World Cup in Rosario, Argentina, six Champions Trophies and the World League 2014-2015. The Club Atletico River Plate player has been a true asset to the Argentinian team.

4. Savita Punia (India)

Savita Punia is one of the leading goalkeepers in women's hockey. The girl from the Sirsa district of Haryana is reputed for her flexibility in goal. She is always there when India need her service in crunch situations.

The over 200-match veteran helped India qualify for the Rio Olympics in 2016. This meant the India women's hockey team qualified for an Olympic event after 36 long years. She also put up a splendid display at the Asia Cup in 2018. Punia made a remarkable save against China in the finals at that event. She also earned the Goalkeeper of the Tournament award there. This helped her side bag a slot at the 2018 World Cup in London.

Moreover, her goalkeeping efforts at the Hawke's Bay Cup in New Zealand and at the Tokyo Olympics are also worth mentioning. She was part of the women's team that reached the Olympic semi-finals for the first time.

3. Josine Koning ( Netherland)

Very few players see the success Josine Koning has at just 26 years of age. The HC Hertogenbosch keeper has a gold-laden career. She won gold at the 2018 Champions Trophy. Koning is a double gold medalist at the European Championship in 2019 at Antwerp and 2021 at Amstelveen.

On top of that, she also won gold at the 2018 World Cup in London and the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Josine's was so potent in front of goal in Tokyo that the Dutch side only conceded two goals in the group stages. She was one of the key figures in defence and the prime reason behind their success.

2. Rachael Lynch ( Australia)

Rachael Lynch is a three-time FIH Goalkeeper of the Year nominee, and one of the best goalkeepers in women's hockey currently. She finally won the award in 2019 for the first time. Born and raised in Warrandyte, Melbourne, Lynch used her height (5'10") to perfection. Rachael demonstrated her prowess with the gloves both at club and international level.

She won two titles with the Victorian Vipers at the Australian Hockey League in 2012 and 2017. She also left her mark on the Hockey One League, where she played for HC Melbourne. Lynch made her debut for the Hockeyroos in 2006.

The 35 year old started off with a silver medal at the 2009 Champions Trophy in Sydney. She is also a two-time gold medalist in the Commonwealth Games ( 2010, 2014) and also holds a silver (2018). She also medalled at five consecutive Oceania Cups, winning three golds and two silvers from 2011 to 2019.

Rachael also holds the notable distinction of being the most-capped goalkeeper to play for the Australian national team. She has over 222 appearances for the Aussie women's squad.

1. Maddie Hinch ( England)

Finally, we come down to the numero uno on this list. It is without doubt England's goalkeeping sensation Maddie Hinch. It is no surprise that she is a consecutive three-time FIH Goalkeeper of the Year winner (2016, 2017, 2018). The goalkeeper won her first medal at the Commonwealth Games in 2014.

The following year was even better for Maddie. She saved a crucial penalty to ensure England won the EuroHockey Championships in London. In 2016, she make her debut at the Rio Olympics and also came out on top with a gold to boot.

She made it possible by saving all four penalties against the Netharlands in the finals. Her outstanding performance was widely credited in the media, as the deciding factor in the game's outcome. She repeated the same performance at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. However, this time she had to settle for bronze.

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