The hallmark of a great team is its ability to defend. This season, the Virginia women's soccer team is beginning to establish itself as a premier team as a result of its excellent defensive play. The Cavaliers have recorded seven straight shutouts and nine overall. In fact, Virginia has only surrendered two goals all season long. Both goals scored against Virginia came during the Cavaliers' trip to California, when they suffered a 2-1 defeat to the formerly No. 1-ranked Stanford Cardinal. The Cavaliers have shut out six teams ranked within the top 25 nationally, which has helped Virginia rise to No. 4 in the national rankings. Needless to say, the defense has been an integral component of Virginia's success this season.
This past weekend, Virginia opened ACC play and continued its stellar defensive play. The Cavaliers currently hold a record of 7-1-2 (1-0-1 ACC) after posting a 2-0 win over Duke and playing No. 23 Wake Forest to a scoreless draw. If Virginia is to maintain its success through a tough conference schedule, the defense must continue to hold a high standard.
"We have to be strong in our defense in order for our offense to be strong," senior defender Becky Sauerbrunn said. "Our back line must set an example."
Virginia has managed to employ a great defense mainly because of its cohesiveness as a group. The Cavaliers have proved extremely adept at communicating and working as a team, from the back-line defenders to the midfielders and the goalkeeper. Sauerbrunn and junior defenders Nikki Krzysik, Sarah Senty and Alex Singer have worked extremely well as a group. Each member of the group has started all 10 games for the Cavaliers thus far this season. Their coordination and familiarity with each other make the back line especially strong, providing for their success up through this point in the season.
"Everything seems to be clicking," Sauerbrunn said. "We know each others' strengths and weaknesses really well."
Another important factor of the defensive group has been its contribution to the development of the new starting goalkeeper, redshirt freshman Chantel Jones. The play of Sauerbrunn, Krzysik, Senty and Singer, along with the help of junior reserve defender Alli Fries, has aided Jones in her transition to a new role. Jones has played well, but there is no doubt that her flourishing performances have been aided by the help of a veteran defense.
"We've been talking to her [Jones] and helping her out a lot," Sauerbrunn said. "Our communication has really helped our whole unit to work out the kinks."
One of the reasons why Virginia has been so successful defensively is because it has managed to substantially limit opponents' shots and scoring opportunities.
"We're not allowing a whole lot of shots for the opposing teams, which has really helped out a lot," Sauerbrunn said.
At the same time, Jones' strong play has anchored the defense as a unit and has allowed the back line more room to operate. Jones' presence in the goal has been reassuring to defenders because they know she is backing everyone up in goal, should anything slip past the back line of defense.
"Chantel [Jones] has really stepped up and elevated us," Virginia coach Steve Swanson said. "We have a lot of confidence in her."
Jones and the rest of the Cavalier defense will next look to stop the Florida State offense Thursday at Klöckner at 7 p.m.
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