Victoria Esson
New Zealand footballer
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Victoria Lucy Esson (born 6 March 1991) is a New Zealand professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for A-League Women club Wellington Phoenix and the New Zealand national team.[4]
|
Esson playing for the Wellington Phoenix in 2026. | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Victoria Lucy Esson[1] | ||
| Date of birth | 6 March 1991[2] | ||
| Place of birth | Christchurch, New Zealand[3] | ||
| Height | 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in) | ||
| Position | Goalkeeper | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Wellington Phoenix | ||
| Number | 1 | ||
| College career | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2012–2013 | Texas Tech Red Raiders | 40 | (0) |
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2014 | Avaldsnes IL | ||
| 2014 | Coastal Spirit FC | ||
| 2014 | Mainland Pride | 36 | (0) |
| 2017–2018 | North Shore United (Seagulls) | 46 | (0) |
| 2019–2022 | Avaldsnes | 4 | (0) |
| 2022 | SC Sand | 12 | (0) |
| 2022–2025 | Rangers | 44 | (0) |
| 2025– | Wellington Phoenix | 7 | (0) |
| International career‡ | |||
| 2008 | New Zealand U-17 | 3 | (0) |
| 2017– | New Zealand | 28 | (0) |
|
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 7 January 2026 ‡ National team caps and goals as of 26 June 2025 | |||
Early life
Esson started playing football at the age of 10 for Halswell United.[5] At first a midfielder and later defender, she became a goalkeeper at the age of 17.[6] Playing for Burnside High School, Esson became the team captain and played at Secondary School tournaments, getting selected to be part of South Island Secondary Schoolgirls squad and the Mainland's U-14 and U-16 squads.[5]
Club career
Esson went to Texas Tech in 2011, becoming Tech's first-ever international football play in the school's history.[7] Esson became Tech's all-time leader in career shut-outs, career goals against and set school records for single season and consecutive shut-outs. Esson also broke the Big 12 Conference record for single season shut-outs with 15 in 2013.[8] Esson ended her time in goal at Tech, winning 41 of their 62 games, including six draws.[8] After graduating, Esson signed with Avaldsnes IL. Struggling to adapt, she returned to New Zealand after just six weeks.[9] She signed with Coastal Spirit FC, but missed most of the season with an injured hand.[8]
In 2014, Esson was captain of Mainland Pride[8] as they won the National Women's League, the top-flight women's football tournament of New Zealand.[10] In 2019, Esson signed with Avaldsnes again, this time playing for three years.[9]
In February 2022, following the injury of first goalkeeper Jasmin Pal, Esson was signed by SC Sand.[11]
In July 2022, Esson joined Scottish club Rangers.[12]
In June 2025, Esson returned to New Zealand and joined Wellington Phoenix.[13]
International career
Esson was a member of the New Zealand U-17 side at the 2008 held in New Zealand, playing all three of three of New Zealand's group games.[2] She was also part of the New Zealand U-20 teams for the 2008 and 2010 Women's World Cups but didn't make an appearance on the field.[2]
Esson made her senior debut for the senior New Zealand team, the Football Ferns, against Thailand. Coming on as a sub in the 80th minute in their 5–0 win.[14][15]
In April 2019, Esson was named to the final 23-player squad for the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup.[16]
On 25 June 2021, Esson was called up to the New Zealand squad for the delayed 2020 Summer Olympics.[17]
Esson was called up to the New Zealand squad for the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup.[18] She was the starting goalie for New Zealand in all the games in the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup.[19]
On 4 July 2024, Esson was called up to the New Zealand squad for the 2024 Summer Olympics.[20]
Personal life
Esson completed her degree in wind, energy and industrial engineering while she was playing football at Texas Tech.[8] Afterwards she got a job at the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority.[6]
Honours
- Individual
- Mainland Football Women's Goalkeeper of the Year: 2014[21]
