For a team that couldn't catch a break a few weeks ago, the Virginia women's soccer squad has turned the tide and rediscovered their winning form. The Cavaliers (10-5-2, 3-3 ACC) have won three straight conference games, including Wednesday night's nailbiter against N.C. State.
Virginia aims to finish their regular season victoriously tomorrow against No. 15 Florida State (11-4-3, 3-2-1 ACC) in Tallahasse at 7 p.m. in the squad's final game before the ACC tournament.
Virginia has won five of their last seven, after a shaky early season mired by injuries and inconsistent play. The Cavaliers have climbed up from the ACC basement, and a win tomorrow night would put them above .500 in conference play.
One reason the Cavaliers are hitting their stride at a time when many other teams are hampered by fatigue is the team's youth. Virginia's 10 freshmen make up almost half the entire squad. The top performer to emerge from this group of newcomers this year has been midfielder Kelly Hammond.
Hammond, who leads all midfielders in scoring with one goal and five assists, quickly has developed into a consistent performer for the Cavaliers.
"She's a great athlete," Virginia Coach Steve Swanson said of Hammond. "She does some things on both sides of the ball that you really want out of a central midfielder. She can head the ball well, she's got a great outside shot and she's good going forward. She's got great skills."
Coming out of St. Mary's High School in Bowie, Md., Hammond was highly touted both locally and nationally. In addition to being the 2001 Washington Post Player of the Year and the 2001 Baltimore Sun Player of the Year, she was a 2001 NSCAA All-American and the 2001 National Students Sports Magazine Player of the Year.
The transition from high school to college hasn't come without some difficulty for her, but Hammond said the team's seniors have helped her adjust.
"It's definitely a transition going from being the senior on the team in high school to being one of the youngest, especially at such a high level here at Virginia," she said. "But we have four of the greatest seniors that have showed us so much leadership and brought us so far this season. They've helped the younger players to develop and have a great experience."
Hammond, who has started all but one of Virginia's games this season, is definitely the crown jewel of this year's freshman class. She has been able to transfer high expectations into results through a disciplined work ethic and desire to win.
"She's got a real desire to excel and I think she's a winner," Swanson said. "I think now the big thing for her is to continue to adjust at this level. I think she's settling in and feeling more comfortable in what she needs to do on the field for us to be successful. And that's been helpful to our team for sure."
Hammond says she "feels a lot of confidence in her team right now." Like the young midfielder, Virginia has been settling in and feeling more comfortable playing against their ACC opponents as the season has progressed. Now, with stakes at their highest so far this season, the Cavaliers look to continue their newfound success and bring home the first ACC title in the history of Virginia women's soccer.
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