Riley Goldberg is a senior. But she is no ordinary senior. Riley is just 16 years old, and she will graduate with her high school diploma in May of this year. Riley is academically gifted; she is one of the smartest students at Leesburg High School with a weighted GPA of a 4.86. She is currently ranked 14^th in her class. It has not been an easy road for Riley but she has pushed through no matter what obstacles have been thrown her way.

(Riley dressed in blue recently celebrated her senior night. Riley is just 16 years old and will graduate from Leesburg High School this year. She has been a four year starter at goalie for Leesburg High School. She is joined by her parents Katrina and Dawn Goldberg and her younger sister Eliot Goldberg.)

Riley was home schooled until she was around 10 years old due to bullying. Her parents pulled her out of school due to the ongoing bullying she would receive. But that would eventually change when Riley told her parents that she wanted to go back to an in person school. By the time she was 12 she was smart enough to leapfrog a few grades and wound up in High School at just 12 years old.

During her freshman year, Riley would become one of Lake County’s youngest goalies to ever start a match. At just 12 years old she was competing against some of the top talent in Central Florida. Her freshman year she would make 160 saves, her sophomore year 182 saves and made 230 saves her junior year. Now in her senior year Riley has over 300 saves this season. All throughout her high school career Riley was the starting goalie for Leesburg High School and although her career as a high school athlete is winding down, she is so appreciative of her time with the Leesburg High School Yellow Jackets.

(From left to right #8 Nevaeh Banner, #18 Asia Montgomery, #15 Ayanna Arriaga Furman, #11 Hope Storts, #1 Riley Goldberg #16 Raelyn Blanchard, #21 Jasmine Maple.

“I can’t say enough how much fun it has been going to games with the girls , making friends and being a leader to younger players as well. I love being a team captain and helping younger athletes understand the game better. Making them feel comfortable out on the pitch is so important. I love to teach and at the end of the day it’s why I want to be a college professor.” says Riley.

Among her many talents Riley is also an author and has used writing to help her with anxiety and depression. “I suffer from anxiety and depression, and I use writing to help with that. I write poetry and it’s amazing how writing can have such an impact on people. There are people who also suffer from anxiety and depression just like me. Knowing that I am having a positive impact on people is a great feeling.” Riley’s first book is currently under the review stage.

(Riley makes a diving kick save from Villages senior Emma Johnson earlier this season. Riley is good friends with fellow Villages Charter School senior goalie Bailey Keller.)

Riley looks up to Leesburg High School principal Michael Randolph “I love principal Randolph. He has an English background, so he and I get along great. When I show him my poetry, he loves it and is a big supporter of mine. I see the kind of leader he is and how involved he is with the community and school. I look up to him and he is the definition of a true leader.” says Riley.

Riley is involved with the AICE Cambridge level classes at Leesburg High School and has big plans for her future “I am a dual enrolled student at Lake-Sumter State College so I will graduate with my associate degree. I plan on attending UCF in the fall to earn my Bachelor’s Degree in English and minor in philosophy. Then I plan on going after my doctorate in English to become a college professor.” says Riley.

(Riley is proud to represent Leesburg High School. Principal Michael Randolph is one person in particular she looks up to. Riley intends to get her Doctorate Degree in English.)

Riley’s mom Katrina says “We are so proud of who Riley has become as a person. She has made some very good life choices at this stage in her life. She knows what she wants, and she has battled through a lot of adversity in life. We are just proud seeing who she has become as a person.” says Katrina.

As far as what soccer means to Riley she says “Soccer means everything to me. It has helped me battle mental turmoil at times. No matter what I am going through, when I step on the soccer field, I am less stressed and can focus on the task at hand. Coach Elisabeth Emery has been such a great coach and I love playing for her.” says Riley.

(Riley Goldberg stands next to Alana Camps. Riley made the 1st Area All Girls Soccer Team during the 2022-2023 season and Alana Camps made 2nd team.)

Riley plans to give back to our community after she graduates high school, “I intend to return to Leesburg High School next season as a goalie coach to help with the transition to a new goalie. I have been the starting goalie the past four years. By doing online classes at UCF, it will afford me the opportunity to also take on a coaching role.”

Riley Goldberg is an amazing story, and she is just getting started with her journey. This 16-year-old knows what she wants and is a go getter. We can’t wait to see where her journey takes her and what she does in life. Go Riley!