West Virginia Mountaineers
Big 12
The beat goes on for the West Virginia women’s soccer team. They continue to dominate the Big 12 Conference and they once again won the regular season championship. The Mountaineers started a little slow, but once they formed their chemistry within their attack and along the backline, they have not looked back.
2014 Record: 16-2-3, 7-0-1
Coach: Nikki Izzo-Brown
Good Results: 10/10 Texas Tech (4-2), 10/19 at Kansas (2-0)
Bad Results: 8/29 Duke (0-2), 9/26 at TCU (0-0)
Why They Can Surprise:
West Virginia is peaking at the right time and they have the right amount of balance within their attack to be very difficult for opponents to completely shut down. Twelve different players have scored at least one goal for the Mountaineers this season led by the trio of junior forward Kailey Utley, senior forward Kate Schwindel and freshman midfielder/forward Michaela Abam. Defensively, West Virginia has one of the top defenders in the country in sophomore Kadeisha Buchanan and she, along with junior goalkeeper Hannah Steadman, have led a tremendous run defensively for the Mountaineers. This balanced mix has a lot of the necessary ingredients for a deep NCAA Tournament run.
Why They Can Disappoint:
If teams can be ultra-efficient with their limited shots on goal, then West Virginia could potentially have some issues in the NCAA Tournament. The Mountaineers have done a great job in limiting the amount of shots by teams all season long. However, they have allowed a little too high of a percentage in regard to shots on frame by their opponents. In a postseason season tournament scenario where fewer shots are available to be had, this is something to keep an eye on for the West Virginia side.
Key Strikers:
Kate Schwindel, Senior, 7 goals, 1 assist
Kailey Utley, Junior, 5 goals, 5 assists
Kelsie Maloney, Junior, 3 goals, 4 assists
Key Midfielders:
Michaela Abam, Freshman, 8 goals, 0 assists
Cari Price, Junior, 1 goal, 3 assists
Carla Portillo, Freshman, 0 goals, 2 assists
Ashley Lawrence, Sophomore, 4 goals, 7 assists
Key Defenders:
Kadiesha Buchanan, Sophomore, 3 goals, 2 assists
Key Goalkeepers:
Hannah Steadman, Junior, 0.71 goals against average, .754 save percentage, 10 shutouts
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 2.39 (20th in nation, 1st in conference)
Goals-Against Average: 0.753 (42, 3)
Shutout Percentage: .500 (44, 1)
Save Percentage: .731 (245, 9)
Recent Postseason Appearances:
2013 First Round Defeated Rutgers
2013 Second Round Lost to Virginia Tech
2012 First Round Lost to Princeton
2011 First Round Lost to Virginia Tech
2010 First Round Defeated Morehead State
2010 Second Round Defeated Penn State
2010 Third Round Lost to Boston College
2009 First Round Defeated Loyola (MD)
2009 Second Round Lost to Wake Forest
2008 First Round Defeated Princeton
2008 Second Round Lost to Virginia
2007 First Round Defeated Navy
2007 Second Round Defeated James Madison
2007 Third Round Defeated Penn State
2007 Quarterfinals Lost to USC
*all team stats through 11/2
See All Women’s Soccer Postseason Capsules
