BWSL2 Save of the Season Presented by British Gas Winner

Eagles shotstopper scoops season award

Let’s be honest, all three of Shae Yanez’s saves in this game – a key league fixture against promotion rivals Birmingham City back in December – deserved to be in the reckoning for both the Save of the Month and Save of the Season awards.

The American’s performance in Crystal Palace’s 3-0 win was absolutely sensational, and she helped keep Birmingham at bay to ensure her side won all three points.

Yanez’s first save was the one that caught the eye. With Palace 1-0 up, Veatriki Sarri took aim from outside the box in an effort to drag City back into the game. Her effort, both powerful and laser-accurate, looked destined for the roof of the net.

However, 28-year-old Yanez – who had joined the club at the start of the 2024-25 season, had other ideas, denying her acrobatically and tipping the ball at full stretch onto the crossbar and away from danger.

If her first save was one for the cameras, her second was a display of agility and impressive reaction time, as she instinctively blocked an effort from Rebecca McKenna from ten yards without having time to even think about it. Her third save was low to her left, and showed a strong wrist to keep a header at bay from just six yards.

A hat-trick of incredible saves, and which inspired Palace to go on to win 3-0. Those three points proved invaluable, with Palace finishing second in the leg by just two points ahead of Charlton Athletic.

“I remember all of us collectively just trying to do the best we could,” said Yanez modestly of her efforts. “We knew we wanted to keep a clean sheet and we were throwing bodies on the line.

“I think I kind of blacked out in that moment, so I don't really remember it. I think I just hoped that I did enough and got enough on it to push it over the bar. It might not be the most amazing save, but it means more to the team.”