Heather Hinz

Early life

Hinz was born in Laytonsville, Maryland. She started out as a striker before being asked to play in goal after an injury to the goalkeeper for her Olympic Development Program team. She led the country with 13 clean sheets in the 2022 season, part of the strong defense on a Gamecock team that ranked as high as third nationally. In that year's SEC championship, she saved three penalty kicks in a semifinal shootout against Georgia and made a last-minute save to keep her shutout against Alabama in the title game, being named the tournament's most valuable player. She recorded ten shutouts in 2023, leading the conference in save percentage and goals against average, and was recognized as the SEC Goalkeeper of the Year and first-team All-SEC. She signed a one-year contract with the option for another year, becoming a backup for reigning NWSL Goalkeeper of the Year Jane Campbell. On July 28, she made her professional debut in the NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup, putting together multiple saves in a 2–1 win against Tigres UANL. After an injury to Campbell, Hinz made her regular-season debut and started in the season finale on November 2, making five saves in a 3–2 loss to Bay FC.

Seven days later, Hinz joined USL Super League club Fort Lauderdale United FC on a two-month loan. She made her USL debut the following day in a 1–1 draw with the Tampa Bay Sun. After making two appearances, she was recalled to Houston on December 10. On May 5, 2025, the Dash announced that she had mutually agreed to terminate her contract.

Sydney FC On June 30, 2025, Hinz signed a one-year contract with A-League Women club Sydney FC. On November 8, she made her debut for the club and started in a 0–0 draw with Adelaide United on matchday two. She has made a great start to her career in Sydney, establishing herself as one of the best goalkeepers in the league, conceding an average of just 0.9 goals per game and having a strong 87% save rate. At the end of the season, Hinz won the A-League Women's Players' Player of the Year Award and the Members' Player of the Year Award. In June 2026, she departed the club at the conclusion of her contract to take up an opportunity in the United States.

Fort Lauderdale United In July 2026, Hinz returned to former club Fort Lauderdale United FC in the USL Super League.

Personal life Hinz is the daughter of Laura and Lance Hinz. She has three older sisters; Megan was also a professional goalkeeper before going into college coaching. Hinz knows American Sign Language (ASL). She is good friends with former Sydney FC and former Houston Dash teammate Maddy Ayson.

Honors and awards

South Carolina Gamecocks SEC women's soccer tournament: 2022

Individual SEC Goalkeeper of the Year: 2023 First-team All-SEC: 2023 SEC tournament MVP: 2022