The 1996 edition of the Mary Washington College women's soccer team had a very successful year, winning its fifth Capital Athletic Conference tournament title in six years. The Eagles again played one of the toughest schedules in the region, and ended with an impressive 14-4-2 record for the season.
Mary Washington had several memorable performances in 1996, including the scoring of freshman Johanna Klein (Springfield, VA),who was named the CAC's first-ever Rookie of the Year in addition to earning second-team all-state honors. Also noteworthy was the team's defense, which allowed just eleven goals in 20 matches. Junior goalkeeper Jen Koster (Scotch Plains, NJ) set a school record with 12 shutouts, and was named first team All-State and second team All-CAC for the second consecutive year. On September 14, the Eagles hosted the #1 team in the nation, the College of New Jersey. After trailing 1-0 at halftime, the Eagles scored two second half goals, but fell, 3-2. The two MWC goals were the only tallies given up by CNJ in their first 12 matches.
One week later, the Eagles visited NCAA Tournament-bound Richard Stockton College, and prevailed in overtime, 1-0 on a penalty kick by Felicity Smith. In the game, the Eagles lost all-State and all-conference midfielder Kim Hrabosky for the remainder of the season with a knee injury. Despite the loss of Hrabosky, MWC won nine of its last 12 games, including two wins over CAC foe Salisbury State University.
At Homecoming, MWC downed SSU, 1-0, thanks to a first half goal by All-CAC and All-State forward Anne Wenthe (Glen Rock, NJ). The Eagles faced SSU again in the CAC Championship game, and once again shut out the Sea Gulls, 2-0, thanks to goals by Wenthe and All-Region, All-State, and All-CAC midfielder Robin Kozic (Navesink, NJ).
Other top performers include second team All-CAC picks midfielder Sara Probasco and back Michele Beagan, and first team All-CAC and second team All-State midfielder Jaime Kwiatkowski, who scored a game-winning goal against Marymount University. The Eagles of 1997 will face the tough task of replacing three quality starters: Kim Hrabosky, Robin Kozic, and Michele Beagan.
In addition to the seven returning all-conference players, the Eagles welcome back rising junior forward Kristen Mercer, who had three goals and three assists in '96, rising sophomore Sara Andersen (2 G, 3A), and defensive stalwarts Jill Stecher, Adrien Snedeker, and Leah Phillips. Once again, the Eagles will play a very difficult schedule (including games against seven teams that have played in the NCAATournament in the past two years), and will need to rely on another top recruiting year to stay competitive on the national level.