Hunter Gilstrap
Encyclopedia
Hunter Gilstrap is an American
soccer player, currently playing for Pittsburgh Riverhounds
in the USL Professional Division.
, and spent the season playing in the USL First Division
, making five first team appearances and playing in international friendlies against teams from Spain, Brazil and Guatemala.
He transferred to the expansion Cleveland City Stars
in 2007, and immediately became a fan-favorite, appearing in 20 regular season games in 2 seasons with the team, and helping them to the USL Second Division
championship in 2008.
After spending the 2008-09 USL offseason playing in the South African Premier Soccer League
with Maritzburg United
, Gilstrap re-signed with Cleveland for a third season on April 22, 2009.
Gilstrap captained the Stars in their first USL First Division
campaign in 2009. Despite their last place finish, Gilstrap finished among the top 7 goalkeepers in the league in 4 statistical categories, including saves and shutouts. He was also awarded the Stars' Community Leadership Player of the Year Award for his work with the club and community during the season.
Gilstrap played the 2010 season with the Pittsburgh Riverhounds
of the USL Second Division
. The team finished in 3rd place after losing to the Richmond Kickers
in the semifinals of the USL-2 Playoffs. Gilstrap won the 2010 USL-2 Goalkeeper of the Year Award and was voted First Team All-league for his efforts during the campaign. On February 9, 2011, Gilstrap signed a two-year contract extension with Pittsburgh, who will play the 2011 season in the USL Pro
league.
, attended Lexington High School, played club soccer for the NECSA (now South Carolina United FC) Galaxy, and played college soccer
at Clemson University
and at the College of Charleston
, where he registered a 1.16 goals allowed average (GAA) and 4 shutouts during his senior season.
During his college years Gilstrap also played with the Greenville Lions
in the USL Premier Development League
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
soccer player, currently playing for Pittsburgh Riverhounds
Pittsburgh Riverhounds
Pittsburgh Riverhounds is an American professional soccer team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded in 1999, the team plays in the National Division of the new USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid....
in the USL Professional Division.
Professional
Gilstrap was drafted with the 13th overall pick in the 2006 USL-1 draft by Miami FCMiami FC
Fort Lauderdale Strikers is an American professional association football team based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States. Founded in 2006, the team plays in the North American Soccer League , the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid...
, and spent the season playing in the USL First Division
USL First Division
The United Soccer Leagues First Division was a professional men's soccer league in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico....
, making five first team appearances and playing in international friendlies against teams from Spain, Brazil and Guatemala.
He transferred to the expansion Cleveland City Stars
Cleveland City Stars
Cleveland City Stars was an American professional soccer team based in Cleveland, Ohio, United States. Founded in 2006, the team played in the USL First Division , the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid until 2009...
in 2007, and immediately became a fan-favorite, appearing in 20 regular season games in 2 seasons with the team, and helping them to the USL Second Division
USL Second Division
The United Soccer Leagues Second Division was a professional men's soccer league in the United States, part of the United Soccer Leagues league pyramid...
championship in 2008.
After spending the 2008-09 USL offseason playing in the South African Premier Soccer League
Premier Soccer League
Premier Soccer League is the trading name of the National Soccer League of South Africa. The top league is the ABSA Premiership, sponsored by ABSA...
with Maritzburg United
Maritzburg United
Maritzburg United is a South African football club based in the city of Pietermaritzburg that currently competes in the Premier Soccer League.-Notable former coaches: Gordon Igesund Ernst Middendorp Trott Moloto Kosta Papic Boebie Solomons...
, Gilstrap re-signed with Cleveland for a third season on April 22, 2009.
Gilstrap captained the Stars in their first USL First Division
USL First Division
The United Soccer Leagues First Division was a professional men's soccer league in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico....
campaign in 2009. Despite their last place finish, Gilstrap finished among the top 7 goalkeepers in the league in 4 statistical categories, including saves and shutouts. He was also awarded the Stars' Community Leadership Player of the Year Award for his work with the club and community during the season.
Gilstrap played the 2010 season with the Pittsburgh Riverhounds
Pittsburgh Riverhounds
Pittsburgh Riverhounds is an American professional soccer team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded in 1999, the team plays in the National Division of the new USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid....
of the USL Second Division
USL Second Division
The United Soccer Leagues Second Division was a professional men's soccer league in the United States, part of the United Soccer Leagues league pyramid...
. The team finished in 3rd place after losing to the Richmond Kickers
Richmond Kickers
The Richmond Kickers are an American professional soccer club based in Richmond, Virginia, United States. Founded in 1993, the team plays in the American Division of the USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid...
in the semifinals of the USL-2 Playoffs. Gilstrap won the 2010 USL-2 Goalkeeper of the Year Award and was voted First Team All-league for his efforts during the campaign. On February 9, 2011, Gilstrap signed a two-year contract extension with Pittsburgh, who will play the 2011 season in the USL Pro
USL Pro
The USL Professional Division, commonly known as USL Pro , is a professional men's soccer league in the United States that began its inaugural season in 2011....
league.
Youth and Amateur
Gilstrap grew up in Lexington, South CarolinaLexington, South Carolina
Lexington is a town in and the county seat of Lexington County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 17,870 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Lexington is located at ....
, attended Lexington High School, played club soccer for the NECSA (now South Carolina United FC) Galaxy, and played college soccer
College soccer
College soccer is a term used to describe association football played by teams who are operated by colleges and universities as opposed to a professional league operated for exclusively financial purposes...
at Clemson University
Clemson University
Clemson University is an American public, coeducational, land-grant, sea-grant, research university located in Clemson, South Carolina, United States....
and at the College of Charleston
College of Charleston
The College of Charleston is a public, sea-grant and space-grant university located in historic downtown Charleston, South Carolina, United States...
, where he registered a 1.16 goals allowed average (GAA) and 4 shutouts during his senior season.
During his college years Gilstrap also played with the Greenville Lions
Greenville Lions
Greenville Lions were an American soccer team, founded in 2001, and was a member of the United Soccer Leagues D-3 Pro League and Premier Development League , the third and fourth tiers of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2003, when the team left the league and the franchise was terminated.The...
in the USL Premier Development League
USL Premier Development League
The USL Premier Development League is the amateur league of the United Soccer Leagues in the United States, Canada, and Bermuda, forming part of the American Soccer Pyramid...
.