Photos by Steven Wright | Greene County News
Bellbrook senior Jordan Frantz has been one of the best goalkeepers in the state for four seasons. She recently entered the top 25 of the record books on the all-time saves list.
BELLBROOK — In a recent match against Edgewood, one of the few saves Jordan Frantz had to make came while she was sitting on the sideline.
An errant ball bounced in her direction and was on course to make its way back onto the pitch. Frantz grabbed it as it strolled by from behind to keep it from disrupting play.
Call it a goalie’s instincts to grab the ball when its nearby. Frantz for years has developed a good instinct that has turned her in one of the best goal keepers in Ohio history when she’s actually in front of the net.
Bellbrook’s senior goalie is quickly rising in the state’s record books. Frantz recently moved into the top 25 on the career saves lists with 669 entering her team’s game on Thursday which places her 23rd overall in state history. She leads the Southwestern Buckeye League in shutouts this season with 10, already a career high, and is currently on pace to finish in the top five of the league for total saves for a fourth straight season.
“I never really thought I would have been in the record books like this,” Frantz said. “I’ve learned so much through these accomplishments, and they mean a lot to me, but the stuff we do as a team means so much more.”
Her accomplishments are a big part of the success for her Golden Eagles team this season. Bellbrook had already secured at least a share of a second division title in four years prior to Thursday’s match at Ross which the Golden Eagles entered with a 12-1-2 overall record. In the MaxPreps girls state rankings for Division III schools, Bellbrook was fifth as of Thursday and the highest ranked team from the Southwest District.
“When I make a save against good teams, I feel great because my team is doing great things and that just allows me to do great things with them,” Frantz said.
Head coach Brad Stork said the defenders playing in front of Frantz each night take some of the pressure of off her in net with their great play, but he still has the belief she is one of the best keepers playing in Ohio this year.
“She’s focused 24-7,” Stork said. “She knows her diet, her weight training, and her sleep patterns. She is engaged to do all the things off the field needed in order to move on to the next level. We’ve been bless to have some great keeper coaches here during Jordan’s career. These girls have really helped her along the way, but most of it has been Jordan.”
On the field, Frantz does more than just keep the ball out of the net well.
Not every game requires 80 minutes of her full attention due to her team’s stellar offensive pressure this season. Frantz said rather than just watching the action when the ball isn’t making its way down the field at her, she has learned how to stay engaged by wanting to relieve stress from her back line. She referenced her time playing centerback in the past to better communicate with her back line and keep things calm on the field so it has a ripple effect to the front lines.
“I enjoy easy nights, but I like getting action,” Frantz said. “I like being busy, the adrenaline and thrill and playing a lot, but I know my teammates need a break sometimes so easy games are good for them.
Frantz has signed to play for Wright State starting in the Fall of 2025. Stork said her abilities could earn her a starting role the moment she steps on campus.
In the meantime, she has goals she still wants to accomplish at Bellbrook. Already checking off a league title and shutout records off her list, continuing her strong play in order to earn a fourth straight All-SWBL First Team honor is next. And being a team-oriented player, she believes a run at state is realistic.
“The saves mean a lot to me, but the stuff we do as a team means so much more,” Frantz said. “The wins we get from it, it just feels like everyone is part of my success because I wouldn’t be able to make saves or do anything else without them. These accomplishments just are a reflection of the team and how much the team means to me.”
Contact Steven Wright at 937-502-4498 and follow on X (formerly Twitter) @Steven_Wright_.
