The 2000 edition of the men's soccer team at Mary Washington was again one of the top teams in the South Region, and played one of the most challenging schedules in the nation. The Eagles finished with a 12-6 record, advanced to the Capital Athletic Conference championship match for the ninth timein ten years, and scored a victory over nationally-ranked and previously-undefeated Christopher Newport University.
After disposing of state rival Randolph-Macon College, 3-0, in the season opener, the Eagles hosted Gettysburg College and Washington (MD) College in an invitational classic. After falling to the Bullets, the Eagles rebounded with victories over Washington and North Carolina Wesleyan College.
The Eagles then lost at Roanoke College, 1-0, before winning the CAC opener at St. Mary's, 2-1. A subsequent loss to nationally-ranked Greensboro College proved to be only a brief setback, as MWC then reeled off a season-high five-game win streak.
After a CAC win at Goucher, the Eagles topped Christopher Newport University, ranked seventeenth in the nation, at the Battleground, 1-0. Conference victories over York College of PA, Catholic University, and Gallaudet University followed, giving MWC a 9-3 record entering a Homecoming showdown with nationally-ranked Salisbury State University.
Despite a 3-1 loss to the Sea Gulls, Coach Roy Gordon's troops rebounded to win three of the next four games, including CAC Tournament victories over Goucher College and York College of PA. The 2000 season ended with a 4-2 loss at Salisbury in the CAC Championship.
The 2001 men's soccer team will rely on a battle-tested group of All-CAC upperclassmen as well as a recruiting class in order to ascend to the top of the Capital Athletic Conference and South region. Among those looked upon for leadership and production in 2001 is first team all-region forward Aaron Bernstein, who led the team in scoring (8 goals, 5 assists) for the second consecutive year in 2000.
All-region juniors Michael Nissim-Sabat (4 goals, 1 assist) and Matt Heimerle (1 goal), and all-conference midfielder Ryan Geib (3 goals, 5 assists), have been named as team captains for the upcoming season. All-league defender Martin Smith also returns, providing leadership and experience in the defense. Offensively, the Eagles will look to replace graduating seniors Jason Green (6 goals, 3 assists) and Alex Addison (team-high six assists). Top returnees at forward include Bernstein and junior Paul Stepanick (8 goals). Midfielders back in the fold for 2001 include Geib, Nissim-Sabat and Steve Ramos (5 goals, 2 assists). The defense will be anchored by Heimerle and Smith.
Incumbent goalkeepers Liam Garland and Brian Hall will compete with newcomers for time in goal. With the always-fierce competition for roster spots and playing time, tryouts for 2001 will be as competitive as ever. Transfers and freshmen recruits will again play a major role in MWC's fortunes, as upgrades in talent anddepth will be needed to carry MWC back to the CAC Championship and NCAA Division III National Championship Tournament next fall.