Navy?s women?s soccer team has come a long way in a short period of time under coach Carin Gabarra.
The Midshipmen have posted a 157-82-17 record under Gabarra since the team earned varsity status in 1993. Their success culminated in 2003 with a 17-5-1 record and Navy?s lone Patriot League tournament title and NCAA postseason berth.
This season?s squad has featured a number of similarities with the 2003 team and may have a chance to be even better. Navy was 6-0 through Friday following wins over LSU and Butler last weekend. What?s even more impressive is how Navy, which is ranked seventh in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America Mid-Atlantic Region Poll, is winning. It has outscored opponents, 18-1, with 11 different players scoring at least once and 18 contributing at least a point.
“There is tremendous team chemistry on this team,” said Gabarra, whose injury-riddled 2005 team went 10-8-2, including 2-5 in the Patriot League. “I can?t remember being on a team where so many different players have scored. This is not a team where one player has to carry someone else.”
Navy?s balance comes from a variety of sources. Its roster is comprised of a great mix of experienced and first-year players. Navy?s freshman class ranked tops among Patriot League schools, according to Soccer Buzz Magazine.
So far, that class of seven newcomers has lived up to its billing. Forward Cassie Barbaresi was the most recent player to show off her ability. She earned Patriot League offensive player of the week honors after scoring twice and dishing out three assists combined in the LSU and Butler wins. This came two weeks after earning the league?s rookie of the week award. She currently leads the team with four goals and three assists.
On the other side of the field, Lauren Bresnahan has played a crucial role, earning Patriot League defensive player of the week honors last week. Through Thursday, the Mids were tied for 13th in the country with a 0.167 goals-against average. Navy?s goalies are currently ranked 15th in the nation with a .944 save percentage.
“This has been an awesome experience so far,” Bresnahan said. “I didn?t know what to expect playing college soccer, especially at the Naval Academy. But I have confidence that anyone on this team will do the right thing out there if they have the ball.”
Helping bridge the gap between the younger and older players is a strong senior class that includes forward Meggie Curran. The Silver Spring native is a two-time all-Patriot League selection who has two goals and four assists on the year. She also recently set the school record for career assists and entered the weekend with 33.
