The University of Mary Washington women’s soccer program opened a new chapter in its illustrious history in 2008, with new head coach Corey Hewson taking over as the third head coach in team history. The Eagles, with as many as five freshmen in the starting lineup, raced to an 8-6-5 overall record, including a 4-1-3 Capital Athletic Conference mark, and showed glimpses of a return to glory.
The Eagles opened the 2008 season at the Susquehanna University Kickoff Classic, and started with a 2-2 tie against Lycoming College, in which freshman Bridget Dooley and senior Hannah Pearson provided goals. One day later, the Eagles downed host Susquehanna, 1-0, on Pearson’s second goal in as many days. Pearson, with Dooley and freshman defender Marianne Dubinsky, was named to the all-tournament team.
Mary Washington then opened play in the Capital Athletic Conference, defeating Wesley College, 4-1, thanks to a pair of Pearson goals, as well as tallies from freshmen Caitlin Frick and Amy Olson. UMW remained unbeaten with a 1-1 tie against state foe Christopher Newport University, with Pearson adding her fifth goal of the season. After falling at second-ranked Messiah College, UMW topped Gallaudet in CAC action, 9-0, with freshman Brandy Simpson scoring a pair of goals.
The Eagles then traveled to York, Pa., for an important CAC match against the Spartans of York College. UMW fell, 2-0, in what would be the only conference game the Eagles would lose all season. Coach Hewson’s squad rebounded to top Marymount, 2-0, thanks to goals from Gabi Rangel-LaFuente and Kim Pernice to move to 3-1 in league play, before falling at Eastern University in nonconference play.
Freshmen Nicole Dierkes and Brandy Simpson provided goals as the Eagles topped Guilford College, 2-1, before tying CAC rivals St. Mary’s College, 3-3, and Salisbury University, 1-1. Rangel-LaFuente, Olson, and Dierkes netted goals against St. Mary’s, while Kim Pernice booted her second goal of the year in the tie against Salisbury. UMW continued to excel against South Region opponents with wins at North Carolina Wesleyan, 3-1, thanks to a pair of scores from Kate Parvin, and a 1-0 win at Roanoke, with Pearson scoring the game winner with 21 seconds remaining.
UMW dropped nonconference matches to The College of New Jersey and Washington & Lee University before tying Stevenson University, 1-1, at Homecoming. Marianne Dubinsky, Lauren Harkness, Bridget Dooley, and Caitlyn Frick all scored as UMW closed the regular season with a 4-1 win over Hood College before UMW fell, 2-1, in the waning seconds at York in the CAC Tournament to close the book on the 2008 campaign.
The Eagles’ balanced attack was evidenced by 13 different players scoring goals in 2008, with Pearson leading the way with seven goals and two assists. Freshman Amy Olson provided six goals and two assists, and junior Kate Parvin added four goals and three helpers. Freshman Nicole Dierkes added three goals and three assists for UMW. In goal, senior Laura McCarthy closed her career with three shutouts and 78 saves on the year, while freshmen Tina Brehm and Grace Rosales combined for 11 saves and one combined shutout in 12 combined appearances.