Senior goalkeeper Morgan Stearns has seen it all. She has been through all the ups and downs that one could possibly experience on the soccer field, although for her, they have mostly been ups, as indicated by her program-record 60 wins. In addition to that, she has been like a brick wall in net, going nearly 800 minutes of game time since a ball has rolled into the back of her net, another program record.
Stearns has etched her name into Virginia women’s soccer lore, but it’s unfamiliar, and even uncomfortable, territory for her.
“It’s kind of weird because it’s such a huge honor and so cool to be able to have,” Stearns said. “But it’s also a weird feeling because I don’t deserve all the credit at all. Especially when there are games when we have no shots on goal thanks to my stellar defense. So it’s weird to have these records under my name, especially when so many people put work into this as well.”
Etching her name into the Virginia record books is only fitting for Stearns, who has Cavalier blood coursing through her veins.
“My grandfather came here and played lacrosse,” Stearns said. “He actually played a little soccer as well, which was kind of funny, but he was primarily a lacrosse player. My dad played football here, and [my] mom went here and was on the dance team. Now I’m a student-athlete here… Basically, from the day I was born I knew that I was going to come to U.Va., so it’s great to be here.”
Results and accolades Morgan has drawn don’t come easy, however. In practice, coach Swanson has the team always thinking and practicing their execution.
“We do a lot of simulation… If we know that an opponent does certain things, we work on that in practice,” Stearns said. “If they do a lot of long ball or if they’re known for attacking the wing, we work on those live scenarios. We get in a ton of good work in scrimmages and do a lot of work with the shape of our back line, which I think has really helped us”
Through it all, a major key to Stearns’ success is just the ability to stay loose and play with a clear head.
“On game days I’ve kind of got away from superstition and putting too much ritual in it,” Stearns said. “The biggest thing I do is dance the whole time … in all meetings, when I’m on the field… The best way to get all the nerves out is by dancing.”
Indeed, Stearns has danced her way to two all-time Virginia records — wins and consecutive shutout minutes — but is not yet satisfied.
“I’m motivated by all the women who played here before me,” Stearns said. “They have done so much for this program, and I was close with many of them… I’m really driven, of course, by winning titles, but especially this year with the people who came here and did so much for our program. We really want to finish the job and benefit the program, and I really want to win for the team and gather some hardware for all of our efforts and to further boost our program.”
The next step in Stearns’ and the No. 3 Virginia (6-0-0) women’s soccer team is to host Richmond (4-1- 0) at 7 p.m. Thursday at Klöckner Stadium. Off to a dominating start to the season and having yet to concede a goal, the Cavaliers will remain confident, but know not to overlook a Virginian opponent.
“It’s an in-state rivalry, so anytime you have that I think you’re going to have to focus on the team coming in and coming in hard,” Stearns said. “Everybody is going to want to come in and beat us, especially on our home turf.”
“The Spiders are a great team,” senior forward Morgan Reuther said. “I grew up playing against some of their players. Obviously, it’s an in-state rivalry, and I think we expect them to come ready to play. And we’ll be ready too.”
Hopefully, Stearns and the entire team will show up ready and will continue to “dance” their way to victory against Richmond, just as they have so far this season.
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