You could say Jessica Wilk's first season as Virginia's field hockey coach was a success. After all, the Cavaliers ended last season with a No. 10 national ranking and a 13-9 overall record.
But Wilk and the rest of the Cavs are far from content with the way things turned out. A loss to rival Old Dominion in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament ended their postseason early and left them disappointed and itching for another chance.
With last year's frustrating finale still lingering in their minds, it's no surprise the Cavs are excited about the 2000 season. They return eight of 11 starters and play one of the toughest schedules in the country. And if all goes well, they think they can claim a prize they left behind last year: a deep run in the NCAA Tournament.
"I'm very excited to be back," senior forward Lorraine Vizzuso said. "I've been waiting for the season to start since we lost to Old Dominion in the [NCAA] Tournament. We worked really hard in the spring to come together as a team and we are fitting together really nicely. We'll be ready."
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"Maryland's going to be very strong," Wilk said. "They lost only one player from a national championship team. Carolina didn't lose a soul. There are a lot of good teams out there, and there's a lot of parity in our sport right now. And I think that's a good thing."
The strong midfield combo of juniors Carrie Goodloe and Jessica Coleman will lead the Cavaliers in their quest. After only two seasons, Goodloe is already on the team's top-10 all-time assist list. Coleman was Virginia's leading scorer last season with 54 points (22 goals and 10 assists) and also received 1999 All-ACC and third-team All-American honors.
"Jess Coleman is someone who's very dangerous on the field," Wilk said. "She's got strength, she's got speed and she's got a lot of power."
Leadership and experience from Virginia's three seniors are also crucial factors in helping guide the Cavs. The trio is led by Vizzuso, whose skills on the forward line last year earned her a spot on the All-ACC team.
Vizzuso "is very fast," Wilk said. "She's got skills. She's a very smart player and she's very dangerous as a scoring threat."
Sweeper Julia Richardson and goalkeeper Becky Worthington round out the senior trio. Both were named to the 1999 All-Tournament team after their stellar defensive performances in the ACC Tournament. Worthington also recorded a 75.2 save percentage with seven shutouts last year.
"I'm really excited for the new girls coming in," Richardson said. "I think they can step in really quickly and have a nice impact on our team."
The Cavaliers began their 2000 campaign earlier this week with a pair of games in the ACC-Big 10 Challenge in St. Louis, Mo. After falling to Penn State in their season opener, 3-1, Virginia bounced back with a 2-0 victory over Ohio State. In that match, freshman goalkeeper Emily White notched a shutout in her first career start. The Cavs (1-1) head to Richmond today for a 4 p.m. date with the Spiders. Then they return home to face Northwestern tomorrow at 4 p.m. on the University Hall Turf Field.
It may be too early to tell whether or not the Cavaliers will go far into late November at the Tournament. But no matter how things unfold, they know they have that potential.
Said Wilk: "All 21 people come out to practice everyday, wanting to be a starter. There's good competition, and we're building well as a team. Certainly I feel very strongly about our team and what we're going to be able to do this year."
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