Goal, n.
Etymology: [F. gaule pole, Prov. F. waule, of German origin; cf. Fries. walu staff, stick, rod, Goth. walus, Icel. völr a round stick; prob. akin to E. wale.]
1. The mark set to bound a race, and to or around which the constestants run, or from which they start to return to it again; the place at which a race or a journey is to end. Part curb their fiery steeds, or shun the goal With rapid wheels. Milton.
2. The final purpose or aim; the end to which a design tends, or which a person aims to reach or attain. Each individual seeks a several goal. Pope.
3. A base, station, or bound used in various games; in football, a line between two posts across which the ball must pass in order to score; also, the act of kicking the ball over the line between the goal posts. Goal keeper, the player charged with the defense of the goal.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for goal; he lists it under aim, end.
Where he writes about it:
The mark is that at which one shoots; the goal, that toward which one runs. — from aim
One whose aims are worthy, whose aspirations are high, whose designs are wise, and whose purposes are steadfast, may hope to reach the goal of his ambition, and will surely win some object worthy of a life's endeavor. — from aim
A goal is an end sought or striven for, as in a race. — from end