Sydney Fortson

Classroom

A two-time CoSIDA Academic All-American, Sydney Fortson thrives in the classroom as an aerospace engineering major. Through six semesters at the U.S. Naval Academy, Fortson has posted a 3.91 cumulative GPA and has been named to the Supt’s List six times. That list recognizes the top USNA students in the areas of academics, military and physical readiness. She currently ranks fifth in the Naval Academy’s Military Order of Merit and 19th in the Overall Order of Merit for the Class of 2020. Fortson was selected as a second-team Academic All-American in 2017 before reaching first-team Academic All-America status as a junior in 2018. Additionally, she was named the 2018 Patriot League Women’s Soccer Scholar-Athlete of the Year.

Character

Described by her coach and fellow teammates as a loyal, driven and selfless teammate, Fortson was elected and is currently serving as the captain for the Navy women’s soccer team. Fortson cares deeply about her teammates, the program and the team’s success and does an excellent job of balancing her academics, athletics and military commitments as illustrated by her top-20 rankings for both Military and Overall Order of Merit for the Class of 2020. She takes great pride in giving her all, whether it be at practice, the weight room or in a game. She wants to be the best she can be for herself, but more importantly her teammates. In her position as a senior team captain, Fortson leads the team through a compassionate, trustworthy and loyal style, while displaying a top-notch work ethic and discipline.

Community

As team captain for the Mids, Fortson plays a leading role in a variety of the program’s community service efforts. Fortson and her teammates are ardent supporters of GiGi’s Playhouse, a Down Syndrome Achievement Center in Annapolis. Additionally, Navy had the privilege of volunteering with the Honor Flight program this past April. The Midshipmen traveled to Reagan National Airport to welcome military veterans as they arrived into Washington, D.C. The Mids are also regular participants in Special Olympics events that are hosted annually at the Naval Academy.

From Fortson: “One of the Navy women’s soccer core values embraced by the team is to give back. It’s something we think about every day, whether it’s in the hall, on to the field or in our personal lives.”

Competition

This year (2019) marks the third straight season that Fortson has been the Mids’ starting goalkeeper. After seeing five games of action as a freshman in 2016, Fortson took over the starting role in 2017 and made an immediate impact. Playing and starting all 21 games in 2017, Fortson posted a 0.90 goals-against average (GAA) and a .804 save percentage with a 16-4-1 record. She was recognized as the Patriot League Goalkeeper of the Year in addition to earning a spot on the All-East Regional Second Team. As a junior in 2018, she dropped her GAA to 0.85 and went 11-6-3 on her way to an All-Patriot League Third Team nod. Two weeks into the 2019 season, Fortson is continuing to shut down opposing offenses with a 0.49 GAA through four games. Included in this hot 3-1-0 start are a pair of shutouts. Over 50 career games, Fortson is 31-12-4 with an 0.88 GAA, .789 save percentage and 19 solo shutouts. Both her GAA and shutout marks rank fourth all-time in program history. Fortson is just three shutouts away from moving into a tie for second place.

(All stats as of nomination time.)