After focusing on forwards, midfielders and defenders during the first round of signees, the Northwestern State soccer team focused on goalkeepers this time around.

Losing a pair of goalkeepers to graduation, the Demons bring in Oakland transfer Julia Zangerl and high school standout Sabrina McCarter, head coach Ian Brophy announced Tuesday.

“They will come in and add competition,” Brophy said. “After losing two really good goalkeepers who each won Southland Conference Goalkeeper of the Week awards, they will add competition to an already talented goalkeeper room.”

Zangerl, the first transfer of the cycle brought in, started for the Golden Grizzlies this past year. In 2024, she made 66 saves, posting three shutouts and a 1.83 goals against average with a .710 save percentage.

Her best outing this past season came in a shutout of Bowling Green, stopping a season-high seven shots. She also recorded shutouts of Green Bay in Horizon League play, as well as Illinois State.

“We’re really excited about bringing in Julia,” Brophy said. “She brings in experience, which is key, and she will compete for a starting spot, which we have had success in the past with our goalkeeper unit.”

McCarter, a native of Orem, Utah, joins Tayla Crandell as the signees from Utah this recruiting cycle.

McCarter was a four-year starter for Mountain View High, where she earned all-state honorable mention and Region 8 First Team accolades as a senior, leading her team to a 12-6 record and a berth in the quarterfinals and a second-place ranking in the region.

In her last two seasons in high school, she helped guide her team to 25 wins and a pair of quarterfinal appearances, including the school’s first regional title in seven years as a junior.

In addition to her accomplishments on the field, she was named Academic All-State as well.

“She was club teammates with Tayla and will come in and compete right away,” Brophy said. “She has a lot of potential, so not only do we feel she can come in and make an impact immediately, but also we are excited for what she can do down the road as well.”

The pairing joins returning goalkeepers Kennedy Rist and Audrey Marfia, as the Demons aim to take the next step, making it to the Southland Conference Tournament title match.