Virginia Women's Soccer 2014 NCAA Tournament Capsule

Virginia Cavaliers
ACC

 

The 2014 season has picked up from where the 2013 season left off for the Virginia women’s soccer team as the Cavaliers have been one of the more dominant teams in all of the sport. They can be very explosive with their deep attack that does not rely on Morgan Brian alone and they can lock you down defensively when they need to. Overall, they are in prime position to earn a second consecutive trip to the College Cup this season.

2014 Record: 18-2-0, 9-1-0
Coach: Steve Swanson

Good Results: 10/5 at Notre Dame (2-1), 10/26 at Virginia Tech (2-0)
Bad Results: 9/28 at Florida State (0-1), 11/9 vs Florida State (1-0)

Why They Can Surprise:
Virginia will have the very valuable experience of getting over the hump last year by making it to the College Cup and knowing the feeling of an excruciating loss in penalty kicks to UCLA. There is a lot to be said about having to go through a tough loss on the College Cup stage before winning a national title. The attack is lethal, led by junior forwards Makenzy Doniak and Brittany Ratcliffe and senior playmaking midfielders Morgan Brian and Danielle Colaprico. This depth makes it ridiculously difficult to focus on stopping a player like Doniak or Brian since it leaves too many other high quality attacking players to punish opposing defenses. The defense is very strong as well, led by sophomore goalkeeper Morgan Stearns, who has been outstanding all season long and has had to step up and make key saves for Virginia on occasion.

Why They Can Disappoint:
If they have an off night in finishing chances in the final attacking third like they did a little bit in loss at Florida State, this team could be in trouble. The Cavaliers are strong enough defensively to win 1-0 matches but in an ideal situation they will want to keep the pressure on the opponent and not bunker in. Also, the other factor as always is the penalty kick shootout as that is a great equalizer. That can hurt Virginia if they have to go to a shootout in the postseason and run into a hot goalkeeper like a Katelyn Rowland of UCLA.

Key Strikers:
Makenzy Doniak, Junior, 14 goals, 8 assists
Brittany Ratcliffe, Junior, 8 goals, 4 assists
Kalli Torres, Junior, 3 goals, 7 assists

Key Midfielders:
Alexis Shaffer, Sophomore, 5 goals, 5 assists
Morgan Brian, Senior, 6 goals, 5 assists
Danielle Colaprico, Senior, 6 goals, 15 assists
 
Key Defenders:
Emily Sonnett, Junior, 3 goals, 2 assists
Kristen McNabb, Sophomore, 3 goals, 1 assist

Key Goalkeepers:
Morgan Stearns, Sophomore, 0.65 goals against average, .732 save percentage, 5 shutouts
 
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 3.50 (2nd in nation, 1st in conference)
Goals-Against Average: 0.667 (28, 4)
Shutout Percentage: .444 (61, 5)
Save Percentage:  .667 (301, 13)

Recent Postseason Appearances:
2013    First Round    Defeated St. Francis (PA)
2013    Second Round    Defeated Georgetown
2013    Third Round    Defeated Wake Forest
2013    Quarterfinals    Defeated Michigan
2013    Semifinals    Lost to UCLA
2012    First Round    Defeated La Salle
2012    Second Round    Defeated Rutgers
2012    Third Round    Lost to Duke
2011    First Round    Defeated LIU-Brooklyn
2011    Second Round    Defeated Washington State
2011    Third Round    Defeated Virginia Tech
2011    Quarterfinals    Lost to Florida State
2010    First Round    Defeated Lehigh
2010    Second Round    Defeated South Carolina
2010    Third Round    Lost to Ohio State
2009    First Round    Defeated St. John's
2009    Second Round    Defeated Penn State
2009    Third Round    Lost to UCLA
2008    First Round    Defeated Army
2008    Second Round    Defeated West Virginia
2008    Third Round    Lost to Duke
2007    First Round    Defeated Loyola (MD)
2007    Second Round    Defeated William & Mary
2007    Third Round    Lost to UCLA

*all team stats through 11/2

 

See All Women’s Soccer Postseason Capsules