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2007 Season in Review


The University of Mary Washington women’s soccer program, long known as one of the most successful teams at the school and one of the most winning programs in NCAA Division III history, returned to excellence in 2007, defeating two nationally-ranked opponents en route to a 10-4-3 overall record.

The Eagles began the season at the highly-competitive Gettysburg College Invitational, where they opened the campaign with an impressive 2-1 victory over the University of Scranton before falling to the hosts in the tournament championship. Sophomore Kate Parvin netted both goals for the Eagles in the win over the Royals.

The Eagles opened the home schedule with a scoreless tie against Ursinus College, and then defeated Shenandoah University, 8-0. Parvin scored the game winner as the Eagles upended seventh-ranked Christopher Newport University, 2-1, on the road in the next game, providing perhaps the most memorable win of the season.

After falling to third-ranked Messiah College, the Eagles topped Gallaudet University, 7-0, and then dropped a disappointing 2-1 decision to York College in double overtime. The team responded with a season-high eight-match unbeaten streak, the majority of which came against Capital Athletic Conference foes.

Opening the streak was a 1-0 win over Marymount University, in which Ali Lanewala netted the game winner. A 3-1 win over Wesley College preceded a scoreless road tie with St. Mary’s. The Eagles then knocked off their second nationally-ranked opponent on the road, as UMW topped Salisbury, 2-1, with Hannah Pearson and Alison DiPippa providing the goals.

After a 3-0 victory over Hood College, the Eagles tied Division II Chowan University at Homecoming before closing the regular season with a 3-0 victory at Villa Julie College. UMW opened play in the Capital Athletic Conference tournament by hosting Hood in the quarterfinals. Parvin’s goal and two assists sparked the Eagles to a 3-0 win. The Eagles fell at York in the CAC semifinals to close the year with a 10-4-3 overall mark.

Parvin led the team with seven goals and five assists for 19 points. Pearson scored five goals and four assists for 14 points, and DiPippa notched five goals for 10 points. Junior goalkeeper Laura McCarthy had eight shutouts in goal, posting a 76.6 save percentage and a 0.95 goals against average.

The Eagles will lose four seniors to graduation, led by all-region defender Margaret Vaccaro and all-conference defender Kristina Ashwell. Also gone are forward Emily Talbot, who joined the team a year ago in addition to playing lacrosse at UMW, as well as midfielder Megan Vaughan-Albert. UMW does welcome back 13 of the 14 players who scored a point in 2007, and another bumper crop of recruits will vie seriously for starting roles.

Defensively, in addition to McCarthy, UMW will look to the leadership of rising seniors Rachel Gerstein, Kelley Hardgrove, Kim Pernice, and Lauren Harkness. The large senior class of 2008 also includes forwards Hannah Pearson and Katie Patchett, and midfielder Ali Lanewala.