CleanSheet Goalkeeping comes to you from Hunter Gilstrap, goalkeeper for the USL First Division's Cleveland City Stars.
As a Pro:
2009:
Gilstrap served as team captain for the Cleveland City Stars in their inaugural USL First Division campaign. He played 22 matches for the club and registered 6 shutouts. He was named USL-1 Player of the Week for week 5, and made 3 appearances on the USL-1 Team of the Week. He was named Cleveland City Stars Community Outreach Player of the Year by the staff for his efforts with the Stars' urban outreach programs.
2008-2009:
After the 2008 USL season Gilstrap spent the offseason with Maritzburg United of South Africa's ABSA Premiership.
During that time he featured in 12 matches with the club. In his debut vs. Kaizer Chiefs, he saved a match-winning penalty in the 89th minute to lead the "Team of Choice" to victory. He was also named Man of the Match for his performance against local rival Amazulu.
2008:
Hunter aided the Cleveland City Stars on their road to the 2008 USL Second Division National Championship. Gilstrap carried a Goals Against Average of 1.125 and had 3 shutouts.
2007:
Hunter helped lead the City Stars to a semi-final appearance in its inaugural season. He was awarded the 2007 USL-2 GAA Champion (for lowest Goals-Against Avg.) USL-2 Player of the Week (Aug 7), and twice named to Team of the Week (Jun. 19 and Aug. 7). He led the league in Fewest Goals Allowed (6) and Goals-Against Average (.500). He had the lowest GAA in USL-2, USL-1, and Major League Soccer. He earned a record of 6 wins, 1 loss, and 5 draws during the regular season. He had 6 shutouts (4th in league), and made 49 saves (4.08 per game avg.).
2006:
Gilstrap was drafted 13th overall in the USL First Division draft by expansion team Miami FC. He was the first goalkeeper taken in the draft. As a rookie, he played in 5 matches. He also started in a 1-1 draw against 4-time Guatemalan champion Municipal, playing the full 90 minutes. He also played in friendlies with Spain's Alavez, as well as Brazil's Ituano and Barueri.
In College:
Gilstrap is a 2005 graduate of Clemson University. During his undergraduate career Gilstrap played for the Tigers under coach Trevor Adair. He served as the backup goalkeeper to Olympic Team and current New England Revolution GK Doug Warren during his first two years. Over the next two years he he played in 17 games for the Tigers. His most meaningful win at Clemson was a shutout over rival South Carolina in 2003. After graduating, Gilstrap transferred to the College of Charleston to finish his fifth year of eligibility. There he played for coach Ralph Lundy and served as the starting GK for the Cougars, leading them to a 9-8-2 record and carrying a 1.03 goals against average. During the 2005 campaign he shutout Conference-USA Champions South Carolina, Ivy League Champion Brown, Campbell, and Elon. He was named MVP of the Coastal Carolina Adidas Invitational.
Gilstrap is a 2005 graduate of Clemson University. During his undergraduate career Gilstrap played for the Tigers under coach Trevor Adair. He served as the backup goalkeeper to Olympic Team and current New England Revolution GK Doug Warren during his first two years. Over the next two years he he played in 17 games for the Tigers. His most meaningful win at Clemson was a shutout over rival South Carolina in 2003. After graduating, Gilstrap transferred to the College of Charleston to finish his fifth year of eligibility. There he played for coach Ralph Lundy and served as the starting GK for the Cougars, leading them to a 9-8-2 record and carrying a 1.03 goals against average. During the 2005 campaign he shutout Conference-USA Champions South Carolina, Ivy League Champion Brown, Campbell, and Elon. He was named MVP of the Coastal Carolina Adidas Invitational.
Coaching Experience:
In addition to playing experience, Gilstrap has extensive experience training young goalkeepers. Over the past eight years, he has worked with the following organizations:
-Ambassadors In Sport (Cleveland, OH)
-BFUT Brazilian Soccer Schools
-Bridge FC (Charleston, SC)
-Carolina Elite Soccer Academy (CESA-Columbia and Greenville, SC)
-Clemson Area Soccer Club (Clemson, SC)
-Clemson Soccer Academy, GK Staff Coach
-Lexington Soccer Club (Lexington, SC)
-Lexington HS Varsity Soccer, Boys and Girls GK Coach
-Mount Pleasant Soccer Club (Charleston, SC)
-Northeast Columbia Soccer Association (now Carolina United Futbol Club, Columbia, SC)
-Net Performance Goalkeeper Education Co (now Reusch Goalkeeping Academy)
-Number 1 Camps Goalkeeper Academy, Staff Coach
In addition to playing experience, Gilstrap has extensive experience training young goalkeepers. Over the past eight years, he has worked with the following organizations:
-Ambassadors In Sport (Cleveland, OH)
-BFUT Brazilian Soccer Schools
-Bridge FC (Charleston, SC)
-Carolina Elite Soccer Academy (CESA-Columbia and Greenville, SC)
-Clemson Area Soccer Club (Clemson, SC)
-Clemson Soccer Academy, GK Staff Coach
-Lexington Soccer Club (Lexington, SC)
-Lexington HS Varsity Soccer, Boys and Girls GK Coach
-Mount Pleasant Soccer Club (Charleston, SC)
-Northeast Columbia Soccer Association (now Carolina United Futbol Club, Columbia, SC)
-Net Performance Goalkeeper Education Co (now Reusch Goalkeeping Academy)
-Number 1 Camps Goalkeeper Academy, Staff Coach
-University of Akron Soccer Camps, Staff Coach
