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Sept. 22, 2003
By Sean Lauer
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – Another tournament, another victory for the Cavalier women’s soccer team. Dartmouth…no problem! Harvard…Ivy League, Shmivy League! Who are these players that have waltzed through the competition first in the Virginia Soccer Classic and then in the Adidas/Hypertherm Tournament at Dartmouth? These ladies are definitely on their way up, especially in the rankings.
One man that’s not surprised at the #8 ranked ‘Hoos success this year is Coach Steve Swanson, who recorded his 150th win of his career on Sunday, September 21st. “I have felt all along that we have the talent to compete with any team in the country,” explains Swanson. “What is surprising is how well the team has come together so early. We really have been playing good soccer right from the beginning of pre-season. The players deserve all the credit as they came in to pre-season fit and ready to go.”
However, with difficult ACC play beginning this week for the team, Coach Swanson knows that a tough road lies ahead. Making it even more challenging is facing that long, bumpy road with a smaller than normal team. “We have only 16 field players and 3 goalies,” clarifies Swanson, “which is the smallest squad I have ever coached.” However, with 150 wins under his belt, Steve Swanson knows what to expect the rest of the season. “In order to be consistent each and every game we (players and coaches) have to be that much more disciplined in how we prepare for training and games.”
The team hopes to build on the recent victories and keep the momentum moving forward. The stretch run of the season is about to begin for the ladies. The Cavaliers next game is this Friday against North Carolina State in Raleigh, NC.