Virginia Cavaliers
Overall Rank: #3
#2 ACC
Virginia Team Page
The 2013 season for Virginia women’s soccer was one of total dominance throughout in all phases. If not for falling short in a penalty kick shootout against UCLA in the national semifinal, they would have rolled to the national championship. The crowds at Klockner Stadium were fantastic as the Cavaliers averaged 1,923 fans per match during the 2013 season. There is plenty of talent returning for another Women’s College Cup run in 2014.
2013 Record: 24-1-1, 13-0-0
2013 Postseason: NCAA
Coach: Steve Swanson
Returning Leaders:
Goals: Makenzy Doniak, Junior, F, 20
Assists: Morgan Brian, Senior, M, 14
Shots: Morgan Brian, Senior, M, 112
Saves: Morgan Stearns, Sophomore, GK, 35
Other Key Returnees: F/D Brittany Ratcliffe, F/M Danielle Colaprico, M Alexis Shaffer, D/M Emily Sonnett, D Kristen McNabb
Key Losses: F Gloria Douglas, D/F Molly Menchel. F/M Amber Fry, M/D Shasta Fisher, M Kate Norbo, D Morgan Stith, D Annie Steinlage
Strengths:
This Cavalier team was lethal offensively in 2013 as they scored 78 goals. The core of that explosive attack returns in 2014, led by senior midfielder Morgan Brian and junior forward Makenzy Doniak. Brian was the 2013 MAC Hermann Trophy winner and scored 16 goals and collected 14 assists last season. Doniak was very efficient with her scoring chances as she scored 20 goals out of 44 shots that were on goal last season. Senior Forward/Midfielder Danielle Colaprico returns as well and she will be looking to build on her 13 assists from last season to compliment Brian and Doniak.
Weaknesses:
There is some work to be done along the back line as far as retooling goes. The losses of Annie Steinlage, Molly Menchel, Morgan Stith and Shasta Fisher will take some time to replace. The other point of emphasis for the Cavaliers is going to be limiting the percentage of shots on goal. Virginia was dead even in shots on target percentage last season as they allowed .434 percent of opposing shots to be on frame. While offensively, the Cavaliers had .434 percent of shots end up on frame.
Final Projection:
The schedule is a pretty balanced in the non-conference portion for the Cavaliers. A visit from a pesky Tennessee side for the Virginia Nike Classic is the headline matchup on September 12th.The conference slate is very road heavy with consecutive road matches at Florida State and Notre Dame. The road schedule also includes trips to Louisville, Duke and Virginia Tech. Virginia does catch a scheduling break with the new ACC scheduling format by not playing North Carolina. If Virginia can get three results out of the five ACC road matches they should be right in the mix for one of the top four seeds in the NCAA Tournament.
Projected Postseason: NCAA Tournament
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 3.00 (1st in nation, 1st in conference)
Goals-Against Average: 0.607 (16, 3)
Shutout Percentage: 0.615 (12, 1)
Save Percentage: 0.746 (234, 104)
Madness 2015 NWSL Draft Rankings:
#1 Morgan Brian
Madness 2014 Women’s Soccer Recruit Rankings:
#26 Olivia Hazelrigg
See All College Sports Madness Top 44 Women's Soccer Previews
