When teams take the field against the Virginia men's soccer squad they tend to focus on third-year preseason All-American Ryan Trout...even though he won't tell you that.
"It's not anybody's team this year," Trout said. "I don't think there's ever been just one guy doing it all."
But with over 40 starts and 30 points in just over two years, Trout towers over the rest of the Cavs in playing and scoring experience.
Three years ago when he was picking a school, Trout found his choice to attend Virginia to be relatively easy, thanks to the University's unmatched combination of athletics and academics.
"Virginia is the top team in the country for soccer, and it has been for the last 10 years," he said. "I decided it was the best school for me, because it has a great soccer program and is a great university for academics."
It didn't take one of the nation's top high school players long to become an integral part of the powerhouse Cavaliers. In his first year, Trout started 18 of Virginia's 26 games and was a double-digit scorer for the Cavs.
"I wanted to come here as a freshman and get a chance to start and help contribute to the team," Trout said.
Trout has accomplished all that and more. He nearly reached his ultimate goal of a National Championship in his debut season, until the UCLA Bruins knocked off Virginia in the final game.
"We were that close and then we didn't get it," Trout said. "It just makes you want it more."
In his first two years, Trout has had a myriad of superstar players to help season his soccer repertoire, although one of those greats, current DC United phenom Ben Olsen, stands out most in his mind.
"The player I really remember most along the way would have to be Ben Olsen," Trout said. "It is incredible the way he was able to take over the game. I just tried to learn as much as I could while he was here."
This year's attempt at ultimate glory, however, will feature a bit of a different twist for Trout, as he has moved from his more passive position of outside midfielder to the attacking spot of forward. The great change might negatively affect other players, but Trout looks auspiciously at the opportunity.
"It really doesn't matter. If I'm playing forward I want to have a lot of goals, if I'm playing midfielder I want to have a lot of assists," Trout said. "Personal goals, aside, the main goal is the National Championship, if we win that than everything else will fall into place."
Fortunately for the Cavs, Trout's talents enable him to be a scoring threat in addition to being one of the best crossers in the nation. He has chalked up an astounding 11 assists in each of his two seasons along with scoring a total of nine goals from the midfield.
"I like doing both," Trout said. "It's a great asset being able to score and cross, that way you're not limited to one thing."
"Of his assists last year, a lot of them were quality crosses from the right side," coach George Gelnovatch said. "He also had six goals last year, and I'd like to see him at least double that."
Pressure might seem evident, if not overbearing, for the experienced superstar, but wisdom helps Trout realize that the Cavaliers as a group will be the determining factor of success.
"I have a little more pressure on me this year than past years because I have more experience than most guys on the team," Trout said. "But there's still 10 other guys on the field and they all have the ability to do exceptional things."
Moreover, Trout is working hard toward future goals of further academic and athletic success.
"It's real important to my parents and myself that I finish school," Trout said. "I would like to get my degree and then go play in Europe. It would be an incredible experience to be able to play there and get paid for it"
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