Coming off a successful 2006 campaign the Virginia women's soccer team has set its sights very high -- at a national championship.Given Virginia's talent and experience, the Cavaliers believe a national championship is attainable and certainly within reach.
"Our long-term goals are to win an ACC championship and an NCAA championship," coach Steve Swanson said. "Those are goals we've had since I got here. Our team would be selling itself short if we didn't have these realistic goals."
The Cavaliers concluded the 2006 season on a high note with an appearance in the NCAA Tournament round of 16. Virginia has reached the round of 16 six of the last eight years. Virginia also finished the year ranked in the top 20 nationally.
Virginia's strongest asset likely will be its defense. All four starters return to anchor what should be one of the ACC's most feared defenses.Senior Becky Sauerbrunn, a two-time All-American, and junior Nikki Krzysik, a preseason Hermann Trophy watch list member, will lead the defense. Juniors Sarah Senty and Alex Singer will occupy the other starting positions.Both Senty and Singer are veteran players that bring a tremendous amount of talent and experience to the table. Sauerbrunn, Krzysik, Senty and Singer have all started the past two seasons.Their combined experience and unity will make them into a fearsome starting defense.
Virginia also returns several reserve defenders, namely junior Alli Fries and sophomore Amanda Stewart.Both Fries and Stewart should see expanded roles this season and will be expected to take some of the weight off the starters' shoulders. The addition of three freshmen defenders will give the group additional depth and options.
Virginia's talented backline has combined to record 24 shutouts in the past two seasons. If the Cavaliers make a run deep into the NCAA Tournament or win the national championship, it will likely be because of its veteran defense.
"This team is going to do great things and I am excited to see where it goes," Krzysik said.
On the other hand, Virginia is vulnerable at probably the most important position on the field, goalkeeper. Christina de Vries, a three-year starter and school record holder for career shutouts and goals against average, graduated in May. The departure of de Vries leaves a huge gap in Virginia's defense, both literally and figuratively. It is not immediately clear who will start the first game of the season. Redshirt sophomore Chantel Jones and junior Celeste Miles are the leading candidates at this juncture to start the season opener. Jones made a big impression during spring practice and also played on the U.S. under-20 national team this summer at the Pan-Am games. Miles returns from playing 72 shut-out minutes last season.
Virginia has a lack of collegiate experience at the goalkeeper position that will likely create problems early on in the season. Miles and Jones, however, are both very talented and will likely blossom into capable collegiate players.
Virginia begins the season ranked No. 11 nationally and opens the home portion of their season at Klöckner Stadium Friday against Delaware.
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