Injuries. Coaches, players and fans alike cringe simply hearing the word. An injury can deflate a season, not only for a player, but for an entire team. Take the 2003 edition of the Virginia football team. Quarterback and returning ACC Player of the Year Matt Schaub was injured in the first game against Duke and subsequently was forced to miss the following contest against South Carolina. The Cavaliers were destroyed by the Gamecocks, dashing their dreams of a national championship.
The same cannot be said for this season's women's soccer squad, which has caught a strain of the injury bug themselves. Though a multitude of injuries have left the Cavaliers with a thin bench, the team nevertheless continues to play outstanding soccer. The No. 3 Cavaliers (6-0) remained undefeated with wins over South Carolina and nationally ranked UCLA last weekend. However, the team did not escape last weekend's contests unscathed. Reserve midfielder Taylor Wood sustained a possibly season-ending knee injury during the UCLA match. Wood's injury, along with the injuries to starters Kristen Weiss (day-to-day with a hamstring injury) and Ariel Thompson (day-to-day), has shortened what was already a thin bench.
Virginia began the season with 23 roster spots available, but three Cavaliers left for the season to play for the U-19 National Team. Junior Kara Frederick also has yet to play because of a leg injury she sustained while the team played over the summer in Brazil.
"We knew our situation would be like this when we lost three players to the Olympic team, but we have players that can step up," Virginia coach Steve Swanson said.
Swanson also said he recognizes that premier competitions against opponents such as UCLA can affect the health of his squad.
"It always takes a toll at the beginning of the year to play high-caliber teams," Swanson said.
Though injuries have reduced the number of healthy players on the Cavaliers' bench, the lack of able bodies has given some freshmen a chance to shine. In particular, forward Sarah Curtis has filled the void created by the injuries to Weiss and Thompson. Curtis has three goals on the season, including a tally against the Bruins on Friday.
"I'm not surprised by her impact," Swanson said. "She is someone who because of our situation is getting to play more, and she's made the most of it. I knew when we recruited her that she could make an impact. She can play different positions and brings a lot of athleticism to our team."
While Swanson has used his freshmen extensively this season, he continues to preach to his team the importance of maintaining a similar playing style.
"You have to be careful of [taking a different approach due to injuries]," Swanson said. "With our schedule, you can't have a different mentality each game. The approach has to be the same."
Swanson said he hopes his Cavaliers can sustain their mental approach this weekend and squash their injury bug as his team travels to the William & Mary Tournament for games against in-state rivals George Mason tonight and tournament host William & Mary on Sunday.
"The [W&M tournament] will be a good test," senior forward Lindsay Gusick said. "We are taking it one game at a time."
While this weekend's games will provide a test on the road, the Cavaliers will look to their freshman to provide a spark to a team in need of fewer injuries and improved depth.
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