In the team's first eight games, Virginia's defense has been amazingly effective. The cohesive, experienced unit is first or tied for first in the ACC in goals allowed, goals against average and shutouts. The scary part is that the Cavaliers have been playing without arguably their top defender.
Along with true freshmen Jen Redmond and Laura Comeau, sophomore Becky Sauerbrunn will compete this November for the United States U-19 national team at the World Championships in Thailand. Because of the time commitment required to properly train and prepare for the tournament, the three Cavaliers are taking the semester off from school and will redshirt this season of eligibility.
Traditionally, the U-19 World Championships are held toward the end of August so the players can miss as little of the collegiate season as possible. However, August is monsoon season in Thailand, so the tournament was delayed until mid-November.
Qualifying to play for the national team starts at the state level, Sauerbrunn said.
"Once you make your state team, they hold regional camp and select 36 girls for each of the regional teams," she said. "Then, those regional teams compete in a tournament against each other where the national team coaches watch and select the girls who they want on the U-19 team."
Sauerbrunn said she began in the development program at age 14. Just a year later at age 15, she was already playing for the U-16 national team. Ever since then she has been involved with the national program and her club team in addition to playing for Virginia last season.
"It's really just a lot of tryouts," she said. "You just have to keep making the cut."
Sauerbrunn has done more than just make the cut since arriving in Charlottesville last year. As a freshman, she played every minute of the season as a key member of a Cavalier defense that allowed only seven shots and an average of under a goal per game. For her performances, Sauerbrunn was named a first-team NSCAA All-American and ACC Freshman of the Year. She also was a finalist for National Freshman of the Year.
"Becky's play really speaks for itself," Virginia coach Steve Swanson said. "As a first year, to come in and play the way she did was pretty special. She is a great player and an even better person."
In addition to Sauerbrunn, Redmond and Comeau will have the opportunity to gain incredible experience at the international level this fall. Redmond, a two-time high school All-American and previous captain of the U-17 national team, would have, in all likelihood, challenged for a starting spot in an already stout midfield unit for the Cavaliers. Comeau, also a two-time All-American, would have competed this season for the starting goalkeeper position with junior Christina de Vries.
"I've known Jen and Laura for a long time," Sauerbrunn said. "We've shared a lot of experiences together, and I'm really excited to have them coming to Virginia. I helped show them around when they visited, and I'm glad they like the school and Coach Swanson as much as they do."
Currently attending training camp in Florida, the three players have some more traveling to do before they make the final trip across the world to Thailand. After camp ends next week, Sauerbrunn said she will return to Charlottesville to accompany the team before she heads off to California for the team's final training camp. After that, she will be back in Virginia one last time before leaving with the team.
"I'm practicing and playing against the very best players around," Sauerbrunn said. "We all learn from each other, kind of like mutual sharing. Hopefully, this competition will make me a more complete player."
If that is the case, the ACC -- and the country, for that matter -- should watch out next season. In the meantime, all Sauerbrunn, Redmond and Comeau can do is sit back and watch as the Cavaliers try to extend their winning streak one game at a time.
"I am extremely excited that Virginia is kicking everybody's butt," Sauerbrunn said. "It's kind of fun because [the national team players] talk with each other when one of our teams beats someone else's. I miss the girls and wish I could be there. But more than anything, I am really excited for how well they are playing."
Come November, Virginia soccer will not be the only thing Sauerbrunn has to be excited about.
Read More
'The Måns Dahlberg show' is kicking into gear, just in time for Virginia’s title chase
By Thomas Baxter | YesterdayHe's one man during the first few months of the season, quite another in the final two.
TILOCK: The real Virginia baseball just stood up
By Xander Tilock | 2 days agoThe Cavaliers' chronic issues are dwindling, and underperforming stars are ascending.
Dietrich’s comeback clincher sends No. 7 seed men’s tennis to NCAA quarterfinals
By Margaret Piatos | 3 days agoFor the 18th time in 20 years, Virginia is headed to the quarterfinals.
