After an uncharacterisrically sub-par season in 1998, the most recent MWC squad returned to the form that propelled them ro the 1997 finai four, racing to a 15-4-1 record and climbing as high as seventh in the nation in the national coaches' poll. With an infusion of young players that looks to continue with this year's recruiting class, the Eagles were able to claim fifteen victories or more for the ninth time in the last twelve years, and reached the final of the CAC Tournament for the eighth time in nine years.
The Eagles opened the season with a 1-0 loss at Gettysburg College, but then rebounded to defeat another NCAA Tournament-bound team, Messiah College, at the Battleground in Coach Gordon's 300th career victory.
After winning the Shenandoah University Shootout'Ioumament with wins over Randolph-Macon College and Shenandoah, the team ran its win streak to five with victories over Roanoke College and St. Mary's College. After the Eagles fell to Greensboro College and Christopher Newport by 2-1 margins, they went on one of their patented streaks, staying unbeaten in their next eleven contests.
The streak began with a 3-0 conference win over Goucher College and a 1-1 tie against Virginia Wesleyan College. The Eagles then reeled off nine consecutive victories, including a 2-1 win over nationally-ranked Salisbury State on the road, as well as road wins over Catholic University, Gallaudet Universiry, Marymount University and York College of PA. A disappointing 1-0 triple overtime loss to Salisbury State in the Capital Athletic Conference championship game kept the MWC booters from returning to the NCAA National Tournament for the ninth time since 1986.
The 2000 Eagles will have several holes to fill if they are to remain among the elite of the South Region, as five players are lost to graduation. Among those departed are all-conference performers in midfielder Kevin Linton (four goals, three assists), defenders Jordi Kleiman and Kelly Coffey, and goalkeeper J.T. Nino (seven shutouts; 0.71 GAA).
The returnees who will be looked upon for production and leadership include All-CAC selections Aaron Bernstein and Ryan Geib. Returning contributors Jason Green, Alex Addison, Marc Salotti, Justin Harcum, and Paul Stepanick, look to continue to contribute offensively.
Bernstein, a first team All-Region choice, led the team in scoring, pacing the CAC with eleven goals in 19 matches, and adding four assists. Geib, who played a key role in the MWC defense's performance (thirteen goals allowed in nearly 1900 minutes of play), also scored twice in the Eagles' Homecoming vicrory over York.
Green ranked among-conference leaders in scoring all season, posting six goals and four assists in eighteen games. Addison (five goals, two assists), Salotti (four goals, three assists), Harcum (six goals) and Stepanick (nine goals, two assists) will look to continue their offensive production as each booted game-winners in '99.
Returnees Jamie Scully, Mike Gutzler and Zach Wineburg will iook for increased time after an offseason of strength training. Defensively, the Eagles will look to returning contributors John Buchanan, Mike Nissim-Sabat, Martin Smith, Matt Heimerle, Scott Golay and Adrian Burke to solidify a unit that allowed just 13 goals all season.
Goalkeepers John East, Chandler Davis, and Brian Hall will compete in goal during the 2000 campaign. With five roster spots open due to graduation as well as the always-fierce competition among newcomers and veterans, tryouts for 2000 will be as competitive as ever. Each season, tryouts begin in mid-August for prospective and returning players, The Eagles' prospects for 2000 are very positive, with the return of two all-conference players; however, transfers and freshmen recruits will play a major role if Mary Washington is to reload and make another run at an NCAA Division III National Championship next fall.