Nicole Renee Barnhart (born 10 October 1981, in Pottstown, Pennsylvania) is an American soccer goalkeeper who currently plays for the Philadelphia Independence of Women's Professional Soccer and is a member of the United States women's national soccer team.Barnhart grew up in Gilbertsville, Pennsylvania and played college soccer for Stanford University Cardinal. She was named an all-Pacific-10 Conference player in 2002, 2003, and 2004, and holds the Stanford women's record for lowest career goals-against average (0.41).
Barnhart has appeared in 23 matches for the senior U.S. women's team — two games in goal in 2005, one game in goal in 2007, five games in goal in 2008, and her debut, a five minute appearance at forward against Mexico on 16 October 2004. As the third U.S. goalkeeper at the 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup, she was only expected to see action in the event of injuries to Hope Solo and Briana Scurry.
Barnhart was the hero of the U.S. Women's CONCACAF final against Canada when she saved a penalty that won the final.
Nicole Barnhart was a member of the gold-medal winning 2008 United States Olympic team, although she did not appear in a match with Hope Solo playing all five U.S. games.
