Coming off a 1993 season in which his team made a sixth NCAA Division III Tournament trip in nine seasons, MWC head coach Roy Gordon entered '94 with inexperience in several key positions. But after a season-opening loss, the Eagles soared to a 10-match unbeaten streak, including a 4-2 home victory over defending NCAA South Region champion Roanoke, and a 1-1 tie at then second-ranked Virginia Wesleyan.
MWC eventually finished at 17-4-1, equalling a school mark for victories while also scoring a record 78 goals en route to a fourth straight Capital Athletic Conference (CAC)Tournament title. The Eagles also earned a 13th straight postseason berth, winning the Virginia Intercollegiate Soccer Association (VISA) North Division title. MWC reached the VISATournament finals.
Although passed over by the NCAA Tournament selection committee, the '94 Eagles can lay claim as one of the best teams in school history. A consistent offense was shut out only once, while a staunch defense allowed more than two goals just twice, against NCAA teams Virginia Wesleyan and Methodist (OT).
"Offensively, we played more directly this season," said Gordon, whose previous Eagle teams preferred to build from the back. "Oftentimes (in '94), we scored before defenses could compact against us." Gordon attributed much of the 1994 success to a strong quartet of seniors, three of whom earned All-CAC honors. Fullback Rich Linkonis (Richmond, VA) was named CAC Player of the Year after leading a defense which shut out 10 opponents. He also scored 10 goals and had three assists for 23 points. Midfielder Andy McDonald (Roanoke, VA) scored 11 goals and added four assists for 26 points, joining Linkonis on the All-Region First Team. Forward David Holt (Newport News, VA) led MWC with 10 assists, while scoring six goals for 22 points. Holt was an All-CAC choice for the third straight season.
Forward Jason Lawrence (Danville, VA) added two goals and seven assists. "Seniors are expected to carry a big load, and they came through for us this past year," said Gordon. "We were able to make adjustments throughout the year because ofstrong leadership. A different player would come through each game and make an impact." A big impact player was forward Chris Blelloch (So./Hampton, VA). The First-Team All-Region performer scored 17 goals and added seven assists for 41 points, second in the CAC.
Freshmen Jason Fusaro (Huntington Station, NY) and Craig Gillan (Kennett Square, PA) also sparked the MWC offense. Forward Fusaro had six goals and eight assists for 20 points, including a pair of goals in the VISA semifinals. Midfielder Gillan had six goals, six assists for 18 points. Junior midfielders Wyland Leadbetter (Fort Leonard Wood, MO; five goals), Gus Carmona-Ernst (Kennett Square, PA; four goals, including two game-winners in the CAC Tournament), Caz Yasutis (Alexandria, VA; seven assists), Brad Kroll (Easton, MD; three goals) and Chris Caputo (Fairfax, VA; three goals) all were key contributors.
Next season, the midfield will receive a boost with the return of captain Jeff Kramer Qr./Springfield, VA),who went down with a season-ending knee injury in late September. Kramer was a First-Team All-Region choice in '93. Returnees on an effective back line include Les Currier (So./Stafford, VA), a Second-Team All-CAC choice, Dave Worthington (So./Hampton, VA) and John Kraft (Fr./Woodbridge, VA). Goalkeeper Jim Hummel (So./Fairfax Station, VA) took part in 10 shutouts, while allowing less than one goal per match