A goaltender (also called a goalkeeper or goalie) is the player in hockey, soccer, lacrosse, and some other sports whose job is to defend the goal and prevent the opposing team from scoring. While other players roam the field or ice trying to advance the ball or puck toward the opponent's goal, the goaltender stays near their own goal, acting as the last line of defense.

In ice hockey, the goaltender wears special padded equipment and uses a large glove and blocker to stop the puck, which can travel over 100 miles per hour. Hockey goaltenders often drop to their knees and spread out to cover as much of the net as possible. In soccer, the goalkeeper is the only player allowed to use their hands (but only inside a marked area near the goal). A great save by a goaltender can change the outcome of an entire game.

Being a goaltender requires different skills than other positions: lightning-fast reflexes, intense focus, courage, and the mental toughness to bounce back after giving up a goal. When a goaltender stops every shot in a game, it's called a shutout, one of the greatest achievements in these sports.