West Virginia Mountaineers
Overall Rank: #15
#1 Big 12
West Virginia continued its run of dominance in the Big 12 last season as the Mountaineers won the Big 12 Conference Championship but yet did not receive a top 16 seed in the NCAA Tournament. The mission is simple in 2014 for the West Virginia women’s soccer team. The mission is to continue their consistently strong play in the Big 12 and find a way to secure one of the elusive 16 national seeds in the NCAA Tournament.
2013 Record: 16-4-3, 7-1-0
2013 Postseason: NCAA
Coach: Nikki Izzo-Brown
Returning Leaders:
Goals: Kate Schwindel, Senior, F, 11
Assists: Kate Schwindel, Senior, F, 6
Shots: Kate Schwindel, Senior, F, 28
Saves: None
Other Key Returnees: F Ashley Lawrence, F Kelsie Maloney, F Kailey Utley, M Jess Crowder, D/M Cari Price, D/M Leah Emaus, D Kadeisha Buchanan, D Carly Black
Key Losses: F Francis Silva, M Amanda Hill, M Annalika Steyn, GK Sara Keane
Strengths:
Katie Schwindel is going to be the anchor of the attack and should take over nicely for Francis Silva. Schwindel, scored 11 goals and her senior leadership will be a significant asset for the Mountaineers. There is also plenty of talent in the attack to surround Schwindel this fall. Sophomore Ashley Lawrence and junior Kelsie Maloney combined for ten goals in 2013 and should have more with the loss of Silva to graduation. The Mountaineers also are tough to beat at Dick Dlesk Stadium as last season they were 9-1-1 on their home pitch.
Weaknesses:
The goalkeeper position has to be addressed with the graduation of Sara Keane. Senior Katie Osterman did appear in one match last season playing just under 15 minutes. This should be a three-way battle most likely between Osterman, junior transfer from Tennessee Hannah Steadman and redshirt freshman Michelle Newhouse. The ability to lock down teams defensively in the second half needs to be addressed as West Virginia conceded 16 of 24 goals in final 45 minutes. If that can be addressed that will help the Mountaineers a great deal.
Final Projection:
The schedule should provide enough of an RPI boost to help West Virginia avoid a tougher draw than last year in the NCAA Tournament. A trip to Penn State will kick off the season on August 22. Duke and Georgetown highlight the home portion of the non-conference schedule. In Big 12 play, the Mountaineers have a very home friendly schedule with Texas Tech, Oklahoma State, and Baylor all coming to Morgantown. This favorable schedule should be a tremendous asset for West Virginia this fall in their quest to be one of the top 16 seeded teams in the NCAA Tournament.
Projected Postseason: NCAA Tournament
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 2.04 (40th in nation, 2nd in conference)
Goals-Against Average: 1.005 (81, 4)
Shutout Percentage: 0.435 (63, 3)
Save Percentage: 0.736 (253, 8)
Madness 2015 NWSL Draft Rankings:
#19 Kate Schwindel
Madness 2014 Women’s Soccer Recruit Rankings:
#27 Michaela Abam
See All College Sports Madness Top 44 Women's Soccer Previews
