Navy?s women?s soccer team has accomplished a number of firsts this season, namely winning a school-record 21 games while leading the country with a stifling defense that boasts a 0.227 goals-against average.
However, Navy?s greatest accomplishment could come tonight, when the Midshipmen try to win their first-ever NCAA tournament game. They face William & Mary in a first-round contest at 7 p.m. in Chapel Hill, N.C. The winner advances to meet the winner of UNC-Asheville and North Carolina Sunday at 1 p.m.
While Navy (21-1) earned an automatic NCAA berth by defeating Colgate for the Patriot League title, William & Mary (16-1-3) received one of 34 at-large bids to make its 14th NCAA tournament appearance in 15 years under longtime coach John Daly. The Tribe won the Colonial Athletic Association regular-season title but lost to Old Dominion in the league?s tournament semifinals.
“Getting into the tournament is exciting because it validates all the hard work we?ve done this year,” Navy midfielder Molly Burd said. “Knowing we got in because we won our league shows we deserve to be there.”
Senior forward Meggie Curran, the 2006 Patriot League offensive player of the year, leads Navy with 12 goals and 15 assists. Patriot League co-rookie of the year Cassie Barbaresi, a midfielder, contributed six goals and 13 assists. Sophomore goalie Lizzie Barnes anchors the Midshipmen?s defense after leading the nation in goals-against average (0.16) and save percentage (.958).
Sophomore forward Claire Zimmeck, the CAA player of the year, leads the Tribe with 14 goals and four assists, followed by junior Donna Mataya, who has 11 goals and two assists. Goalie Meghan Walker has stopped 83.7 percent of the shots she has faced and has posted 10 shutouts.
Burd said William & Mary will be a difficult opponent to face in the first round. However, she added that Navy is in a better position to win in the tournament this year compared to 2003, when the Midshipmen lost to Penn State, 5-1.
“In the past couple of years, we may not have done as good as we could have because of team chemistry,” Burd said. “That?s not the case this year. The first class treats the plebes as equals, and it has shown on the field.”
