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One Special Team
November 18, 2015 05:49 PM | Women's Soccer
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Lately, one word is tossed around more than others at Dreamswork Field.
Special.
Though she is quick to point out that she has never favored one squad more than another throughout her 20-year coaching span at West Virginia University, coach Nikki Izzo-Brown is not afraid to qualify the 2015 Mountaineers as a “special” team. In fact, she believes that because of the immense success her women’s soccer program has achieved in just 20 short years, this year’s squad has an even greater right to the “special” tag.
“This team competes not only against last year’s team, in terms of achievements and wins, but also against all the teams before it,” explained Izzo-Brown. “This year’s team wants to be spoken about as the best team ever at WVU. This team wants to be known as the team that achieved. In order to do that, you have to find a way to win and find a way to separate yourself.”
The No. 4-ranked Mountaineers (17-2-1, 6-0-1) took a big, special step last week, defeating Duquesne 4-0 on Nov. 13, at Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Pegged by many as a squad who often suffers let downs late in November, the Mountaineers made quick work of the naysayers, putting the game-winning goal in the net just 3:29 into the match. WVU’s offensive attack added three insurance goals, and the backline buckled down to hold the Dukes to just five shots, with only one landing on-frame, tallying its program-best 14th shutout of the season.
The win, the Mountaineers’ first in the tournament since 2010, pushed WVU into the second round for the first time since 2013 and the 10th time in program history. It also set-up a weekend of soccer in Morgantown, as WVU will play host to second- and third-round games at Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium. The weekend opens on Friday, Nov. 20, with a 3 p.m. match between Minnesota and Loyola Marymount. Second-seeded WVU will then face first-time opponent Northwestern at 6 p.m. The winners will meet in the third round on Sunday, Nov. 22, at 1 p.m.
Should the Mountaineers advance to the third round, a feat it’s only achieved three times before and not since 2010, the luster on the squad’s “special” tag will grow brighter, for Izzo-Brown believes this team must find a way to separate itself by its performances.
“A team isn’t special just because of its members – it’s special because it achieves great results,” she said. “A special team finds a way to win. A special team finds a way to advance. A special team finds a way to stand alone.”
The Mountaineers are keenly aware of their coach’s favorite descriptor.
“I think for this team, being ‘special’ has to do with an improvement factor,” said junior midfielder Ashley Lawrence, a three-time All-Big 12 First Team honoree. “We improved and advanced to the second round, and that was a part of our goal for this year. I think it is safe to say that we are a special team – we have proven it so far throughout the season and into the postseason. We do mention it (inside the locker room), but that doesn’t mean the work stops there. We will continue to push to that next level.”
One thing is for certain – WVU has been special at Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium this season, compiling an unblemished 11-0 record, only the team’s second undefeated season at home and first since going 7-0 in 2005. The Mountaineers have not lost in Morgantown since dropping a 2-0 decision to No. 21 Duke on Aug. 29, 2014, a span of 23 games.
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For those who prefer to reserve the “special” tag for only record-setting teams….well, the Mountaineers have that covered, too.
With games still to play, WVU has matched or set several records this season, including the much coveted program single-season shutout record, first set by the 2010 squad. The defense has allowed just seven opponent goals this year, six short of the WVU record for fewest opponent goals allowed in a season (13).
Conversely, the Mountaineer attack has registered 52 goals, three short of the program single-season record of 55, set in 2006. WVU sits at 149 points (52 G, 45 A), just one short of the single-season record of 150, last achieved by the 2006 team.
The biggest program record floating near the Mountaineers’ grasp is single-season wins. One win this weekend would give WVU 18 on the season, matching the program record hit three times before by the 2002, 2007 and 2010 squads. The 2015 WVU squad already is the winningest team in program history based on win percentage, as the team boasts an 87.5 win percentage, the second-best mark nationally. The 2002 squad held the previous best win percentage (84.1).
The four-time reigning Big 12 Conference champions also have a chance to rewrite the conference record book this season, as WVU could set the season records for goals allowed [9 by Texas Tech (2013) and Oklahoma State (2011)] and goals allowed per game (0.35 by Oklahoma State, 2011).
Individually, several Mountaineers have worked their way into the WVU record book. Most notably, senior Hannah Steadman owns the Mountaineer career goals-against average record (0.53 in 42 matches) and ranks No. 5 on the career shutouts list with 22, and senior midfielder Amanda Hill ranks No. 7 all-time with 85 career starts
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Speaking of Hill, there is still time to vote for the two-time Mountaineer team captain for the 2015 Senior CLASS Award. Fan voting ends Nov. 23 – vote today!
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Without question, Mountaineer Nation will make the difference this weekend. Fans are asked to pack the stands and cheer on WVU Friday night against the Wildcats. Tickets are on sale now at WVUGAME.com. Tickets are $7 for adults, $5 for students and youth, and $2 for groups of 10 or more. Group tickets will only be available in advance and not at the Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium gate on game day. One ticket provides admission for both games Friday.
With the men’s basketball team playing at 7 p.m. Friday night, parking will be extremely limited in the parking lots around the WVU Coliseum Complex. Fans who arrive to park in the Natatorium/Band lot before 6 p.m. can park free of charge. Fans who arrive after 6 p.m. to park in the Natatorium/Band lot will be charged $10 for parking to attend either the soccer match or the basketball game.
Let’s Go, Mountaineers!
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