A player in sports like soccer, hockey, or lacrosse whose primary role is to prevent the opposing team from scoring by defending the goal. Short for goalkeeper.
Shortened form of 'goalkeeper,' first recorded in the 1920s as sports slang. 'Goalkeeper' itself combines 'goal' (from Middle English 'gol,' meaning boundary) and 'keeper' (one who keeps or guards), emerging with organized sports in the 19th century.
Goalies are the only players in soccer allowed to use their hands within the penalty area, but this rule only emerged in 1912 - before then, any player could catch the ball. Psychologically, goalies often develop unique superstitions and rituals because they face the highest pressure situations where individual mistakes are most visible and costly.
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