Brian and Steinlage Earn TopDrawerSoccer.com Preseason Honors

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July 31, 2013

CHARLOTTESVILLE – Two members of the Virginia women’s soccer team were honored Wednesday (July 31) as TopDrawerSoccer.com announced its Preseason Best XI teams. Junior midfielder Morgan Brian (St. Simons Island, Ga.) was named to the first team and senior defender Annie Steinlage (Grand Haven, Mich.) was named to the third team.

Brian is one of three current collegiate players to have already made an appearance with the U.S. Women’s National Team. The two-time first-team All-ACC selection is coming off a four-goal, seven-assist sophomore season where she was named ACC Tournament MVP as the Cavaliers won their second conference title.

Steinlage transferred to Virginia in January after playing three seasons at Michigan State. A first-team All-Big Ten defender the last two seasons, she had three goals and five assists for the Spartans in 2011.

The Cavaliers open the regular season on Aug. 23 with the inaugural Klöckner Classic, featuring one of the strongest fields of any tournament in the nation this season. The Cavaliers face in-state foe VCU in the season opener, while traditional powers North Carolina and Santa Clara meet in the first game of the day. On Aug. 25, Virginia plays Santa Clara and North Carolina faces VCU on the second day of the tournament.