Ally Sentnor: The Exciting American Goal Scoring Machine

Ally Sentnor is one of the most exciting and talented female footballers in the world today, alongside Vicky Lopez, Olivia Smith, Milly Clegg and Linda Caicedo, Sentnor’s talent and potential promises to keep fans entertained and glued to their performances.

From youth soccer prodigy to being the first overall pick in the 2024 NWSL Draft by the Utah Royals, Sentnor’s path has been marked by both triumphs and challenges, and she has consistently emerged stronger.

Player Profile – Allyson Marie Sentnor

Ally Sentnor, is a professional footballer who plays for the Utah Royal and the American national youth sides playing primarily as a midfielder or forward.

Sentnor’s soccer journey began in her hometown, where her father’s coaching and her early involvement with South Shore Select and futsal laid the groundwork for her impressive career. She is also the first overall pick in the 2024 NWSL Draft.

After tearing her ACL in her first preseason game of 2021, she made a superb comeback and her college career was marked by resilience and excellence, including leading the Tar Heels to an ACC title and earning accolades such as ACC Midfielder of the Year and All-American honors.

On the international stage, Sentnor has been a standout performer. She captained the U.S. U-20 team, leading them through the 2023 CONCACAF Women’s U-20 Championship and into the 2024 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.

Player Profile Overview

Ally Sentnor’s Early Life and Background

Allyson Marie Sentnor was born on February 18, 2004, and grew up in Hanson, Massachusetts, located in Boston’s South Shore. She is the oldest of three children born to Richard and Lee Sentnor.

Her father, a significant influence on her early soccer development, coached her first team when she started playing soccer at just four years old.

From a young age, Sentnor’s talent was evident. She quickly became known for her goal-scoring abilities, prompting her father to challenge her by having her play in goal or score using only her non-dominant left foot. This helped her develop ambidexterity, a trait that later became one of her most distinctive skills on the field.

At age six, Sentnor joined the Hingham-based South Shore Select club, where her technical skills flourished. In addition to playing with the girls’ teams, she occasionally trained with the Boston Bolts boys’ team, which further sharpened her competitive edge.

She also played futsal, an indoor soccer variant, which helped her develop close control and quick decision-making in tight spaces.

Ally Sentnor’s Playing Style and Strength

Ally Sentnor is a versatile and dynamic player, capable of excelling as both a forward and attacking midfielder. She is known for her two-footedness, technical skill, and high soccer intelligence, she can adapt to different roles and exploit space with clever movement and sharp dribbling.

Sentnor’s vision and playmaking abilities allow her to create scoring opportunities, while her clinical finishing and composure in front of goal make her a constant attacking threat.

Her work rate, defensive contribution, and leadership on the U.S. U-20 national team show her maturity and resilience, particularly after overcoming an ACL injury early in her career.

Ally Sentnor: Utah Royals’ Rising Star and Youth Soccer Phenom

Born with an innate goal-scoring ability, Ally Sentnor quickly dominated the local soccer scene. By the age of six, Sentnor joined Hingham-based South Shore Select, a club that helped hone her technical skills.

Notably, she also trained with the Boston Bolts boys’ team on occasion, pushing her limits even further. Her experience with indoor soccer and futsal allowed her to sharpen her close control and quick decision-making in tight spaces, traits that became critical in her later career.

In eighth grade, Sentnor joined the varsity team at Thayer Academy, where she quickly established herself as a standout. Her time there was cut short as she graduated early in 2021, but her dominance in the high school ranks foreshadowed her future success.

College Career: North Carolina Tar Heels and Overcoming Adversity

Ally Sentnor’s college career at the University of North Carolina started with a significant setback. Minutes into her first preseason game in 2021, she tore her ACL, a devastating injury that sidelined her for the entire season.

She returned to action in 2022, making an immediate impact by scoring in her regular-season debut against UNC Wilmington. That season, Sentnor helped lead the Tar Heels to the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) regular-season title, finishing as the team’s second-highest scorer with ten goals.

Her ability to rise in high-stakes moments shone through as she netted five crucial goals during the NCAA tournament, propelling North Carolina to the national title game, where they ultimately fell to UCLA.

Ally Sentnor’s Sophomore Season with North Carolina Tar Heels

In her redshirt sophomore season in 2023, Ally Sentnor reached new heights. She recorded a team-high 11 goals and seven assists, consistently making the difference in key matches.

Notably, during the NCAA tournament, she either scored or assisted in her final seven games, including a heroic performance in the national quarterfinal against BYU, where she was involved in all three of her team’s goals.

She earned the prestigious ACC Midfielder of the Year award and was named to the United Soccer Coaches All-American third team.

Despite opting to turn professional at the end of the 2023 season, Sentnor continued her education online, demonstrating her commitment to both her athletic and academic pursuits.

Utah Royals: A Stellar Rookie Season

Ally Sentnor’s professional career took off in 2024 when she was selected first overall by the Utah Royals in the NWSL Draft.

The Royals, making a return to the NWSL after a four-year hiatus, made a bold statement by choosing Sentnor as the cornerstone of their rebuild. Notably, her college teammate Savy King was also selected, giving the team a dynamic young duo to build around.

Sentnor made her professional debut in the Royals’ season opener against the Chicago Red Stars on March 16, 2024, starting on the wing. Just six days later, she scored her first professional goal in a 2–1 victory over the North Carolina Courage, displaying her signature flair by dribbling past defenders and finishing from the corner of the penalty box.

As the season progressed, Sentnor’s role evolved. Initially deployed as a winger, she quickly established herself as a key playmaker, contributing to five of her team’s first seven goals.

By June, she had transitioned into a more central attacking midfield role, showcasing her vision and playmaking abilities. Her influence on the field was undeniable, and she led the Royals through a remarkable turnaround in July. The team went from the bottom of the table to winning their group in the NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup.

Ally Sentnor’s contributions earned her both NWSL Player of the Month and Rookie of the Month honors in July 2024, a testament to her rapid adaptation to the professional game. Her leadership, creativity, and goal-scoring instinct have made her a cornerstone of the Royals’ new era.

International Success: Leading the U.S. Youth Teams

Sentnor’s rise to prominence extends beyond her club career. She has been a fixture in the U.S. youth national team system since the age of 12, when she was the youngest player called into camp with the U.S. U-14 team.

Over the years, she progressed through the ranks, representing the U.S. at multiple age levels and playing alongside some of the nation’s brightest young talents.

At age 13, she scored five goals in two friendlies for the U-15s in Germany and later led the team to victory at the Weifang Cup in China, where she was named the tournament’s most valuable player.

In 2020, she was part of the U-17 team, but the cancellation of the CONCACAF Women’s U-17 Championship and FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup due to the COVID-19 pandemic delayed her international breakout.

Ally Sentnor’s Debut for the U20 National Team

Following her ACL recovery, Sentnor debuted for the U.S. U-20 team at the 2022 Sud Ladies Cup, helping the U.S. win the tournament. She then played a pivotal role at the 2022 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, scoring in the group stage opener against Ghana.

By 2023, Sentnor had taken on a leadership role, co-captaining the U-20 team alongside Elise Evans during the CONCACAF Women’s U-20 Championship. Her four goals in the tournament were instrumental in the U.S. finishing as runners-up and qualifying for the 2024 FIFA U-20 World Cup.

Ally Sentnor continues to lead the U-20 squad as its captain, with the potential to make a major impact on the senior national team in the future. The global stage is set as she will attempt to lead the Americans to victory at the 2024 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup in Colombia.

Playing in One of the Best Leagues in the World

Throughout her career, Ally Sentnor has played alongside and against some of the most talented players in women’s soccer. At North Carolina, she teamed up with the likes of Avery Patterson and Emily Colton, forming a potent offensive trio.

With the Utah Royals, she has shared the field with Savy King, her former college teammate and fellow NWSL top draft pick, while regularly facing NWSL stars such as Mallory Swanson, Trinity Rodman and Sophia Smith.

Idols and Influence in Football

Ally Sentnor has mentioned Mia Hamm and Tobin Heath as two of her soccer idols. Hamm, a legendary U.S. women’s national team player, was known for her goal-scoring ability, leadership, and pioneering role in women’s soccer.

Sentnor admires Tobin Heath for her creative, skillful, and fearless style of play. Heath’s dribbling, technical prowess, and ability to take on defenders one-on-one have inspired Sentnor to develop similar qualities in her own game.

Who Does Ally Sentnor Play Like?

Many fans liken her to Tobin Heath due to her exceptional dribbling ability and flair in one-on-one situations. Like Heath, Sentnor can operate as a winger or in a central attacking role, using her quick feet to beat defenders and create space.

In midfield, Ally Sentnor shows traits similar to Lindsey Horan. Both players have excellent vision, strong playmaking abilities, and a knack for scoring goals from deep positions. Sentnor’s composure in the final third and ability to control the game’s tempo mirrors Horan’s approach.

When deployed as a forward, Sentnor’s sharp off-the-ball movement and instinct for finding goal-scoring opportunities draw comparisons to Sam Kerr. Her ability to time runs behind defenders and finish chances efficiently reflects Kerr’s attacking prowess.

Ally Sentnor’s Personal Life

Ally Sentnor is the eldest child of Lee and Richard Sentnor and has two younger siblings: Katelyn, 17, and William, 14. Her father was the coach of the first team she played for, helping her develop into the star that she is today.

Conclusion

As Ally Sentnor’s career progresses, the sky’s the limit for this talented midfielder and forward. Her ability to adapt, lead, and perform on the biggest stages has set her apart at every level she’s played.

With a bright future ahead in both the NWSL and international soccer, Sentnor is poised to become one of the next great stars of American women’s soccer.