Virginia Cavaliers
ACC
The Virginia Cavaliers come into the 2012 postseason absolutely on fire as they rolled through the ACC Tournament beating nemesis North Carolina at Fetzer Field in the quarterfinals and lighting up Florida State and Maryland in dominating fashion. The momentum from this late season surge makes the Cavaliers one of the most dangerous teams in the country as they have outscored five ranked foes 19-3 in their last five matches. Under the guidance of veteran head coach Steve Swanson and a loaded offensive attack, the ingredients are in place to, without question, get to the College Cup.
2012 Record: 16-4-1, 6-3-1
Coach: Steve Swanson
Good Results: 10/21 at Virginia Tech (5-0), 10/25 Boston College (5-1), 10/28 at North Carolina (1-0)
Bad Results: 8/17 Penn State (1-3), 9/27 at Maryland (1-3), 10/5 Wake Forest (1-2)
Why They Can Surprise:
The Virginia style of play that emphasizes free flowing attacking is one of the best spectacles to watch in college soccer when it is rolling on all cylinders. During the last stretch of the regular season and the ACC Tournament, this team made some great opposing defenses look below average. For example, the Cavaliers hung four goals on Florida State and four goals on a very tough Maryland team to clinch the second ACC Tournament championship in program history. The trifecta of Caroline Miller, Morgan Brian, and Makenzy Doniak are going to be very difficult to stop as defenses can’t just focus on one of them. They all are capable to carry the team on their back and push it all the way to San Diego and the 2012 Women’s College Cup.
Why They Can Disappoint:
It’s going to come down to matchups and mindset with this Cavalier squad, along with travel for the quarterfinals if they have to travel. The quarterfinal week usually falls during the University of Virginia’s fall break and Charlottesville presents challenges for travel during the holidays. Also, Virginia does not want to fall behind early and have to press numbers forward earlier than normal to get back into the match. If Virginia can overcome this by starting fast like they did during the ACC Tournament, then they should be able to overcome this without any problem. It will also be interesting to see how Danielle DeLisle holds up in goal if she has to face a penalty kick shootout situation at some point during the NCAA tournament.
Key Strikers:
Caroline Miller, Senior, 16 goals, 5 assists
Makenzy Doniak, Freshman, 9 goals, 7 assists
Danielle Colaprico, Sophomore, 4 goals, 6 assists
Kaili Torres, Sophomore, 4 goals, 4 assists
Key Midfielders:
Kate Norbo, Junior, 4 goals, 3 assists
Erica Hollenberg, Senior, 2 goals, 6 assists
Julia Roberts, Senior, 1 goal, 4 assists
Key Defenders:
Molly Menchel, Junior, 4 goals, 1 assist
Olivia Brannon, Sophomore, 2 goals, 1 assist
Morgan Stith, Junior, 0 goals, 2 assists
Key Goalkeepers:
Danielle DeLisle, Junior, 0.70 goals against average, .786 save percentage, 6 shutouts
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 2.47 (11th in nation, 2nd in conference)
Goals-Against Average: 0.726 (34, 3)
Shutout Percentage: 0.579 (14, 4)
Save Percentage: 0.788 (146, 4)
Recent Postseason Appearances:
Virginia 2011 First Round Defeated LIU-Brooklyn
Virginia 2011 Second Round Defeated Washington State
Virginia 2011 Third Round Defeated Virginia Tech
Virginia 2011 Quarterfinals Lost to Florida State
Virginia 2010 First Round Defeated Lehigh
Virginia 2010 Second Round Defeated South Carolina
Virginia 2010 Third Round Lost to Ohio State
Virginia 2009 First Round Defeated St. John's
Virginia 2009 Second Round Defeated Penn State
Virginia 2009 Third Round Lost to UCLA
Virginia 2008 First Round Defeated Army
Virginia 2008 Second Round Defeated West Virginia
Virginia 2008 Third Round Lost to Duke
Virginia 2007 First Round Defeated Loyola (MD)
Virginia 2007 Second Round Defeated William & Mary
Virginia 2007 Third Round Lost to UCLA
*all team stats through 10/28
See All Women’s Soccer Postseason Capsules
