With just one senior on its roster, the 2002 Mary Washington College women's soccer team fielded a very young squad that was nonetheless one of the most talented in the Mid-Atlantic Region. The Eagles. finished the season with a 16-5-1 overall record (the fourth time in six seasons they've won at least fifteen games), won the Capital Athletic Conference championship, and advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the tenth time since 1989.
Under the guidance of head coach Kurt Glaeser, one of the winningest collegiate women's soccer coaches ever, Mary Washington continued to thrive on the national level in 2002. The Eagles opened the season at the very prestigious Gettysburg College Tournament, and fell in the opener to the hosts, 2-1, but rebounded the next day to tie sixth-ranked William Smith COllege.
After a pair of road wins at Marymount University and McDaniel College, the Eagles fell to fourth-ranked College of New Jersey in the opening round of the MWC Soccer Classic. MWC rebounded to win its next five games - with home wins over 2001 NCAA Tournament opponent Gwynedd-Mercy College (4-1), Gallaudet University (9-0), Lebanon Valley College (2-1), and Goucher College (8-3), and an overtime road win at York College of PA (3-2). After the five game streak was snapped, MWC came back to win nine of its next ten games.
The Eagles got on track with a pair of weekend road wins at Dickinson College (4-2) and Frostburg State University (4-1) before topping Villa Julie College (4-0) and Salisbury University (1-0) at home.
Mary Washington opened the CAC Tournament by downing the tourney's' sixth seed, Marymount University, 14-0, before handling St. Mary's College (2-0) and Salisbury University (1-0) on the road to claim the CAC championship for the tenth time in the twelve-year history of the league.
The Eagles hosted the College of Notre Dame in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, and downed the Gators, 5-0. MWC advanced to the regional semifinal, where they fell at fifth-ranked Messiah College, 2-0, to end another outstanding season.
The Eagles' offense was outstanding this fall, as the team posted 74 goals in 22 games. Forwards Joeann Walker (11 goals, nine assists) and Betsy Pitti (ten goals, five assists) carried the bulk of the scoring load, with All-CAC midfielder Kathryn Amirpashaie adding eleven goals and nine assists. Freshmen Jacqui Forsythe (seven goals, one assist) and Amy Kingsbury (six goals, one assist) and juniors Elise Fasick (four goals, six assists) and Kelly Quinlan (five goals and three assists) also provided depth on offense.
The Eagles' defense improved steadily throughout the season, as MWC outscored its opponents, 30-4, in the final nine games, including seven shutouts. Junior sweeper Kathy Wainwright, who also scored five goals and added two assists, was outstanding all season, earning All-America honors for her play. Midfielder Jessica Hewitt also provided solid defensive play, as did defenders Rachel Vaccaro (an all-region selection), Lauren Eisold and Heather Hapeman.
Mary Washington's depth was again one of its strengths, as eleven players on the roster played in every match, and several missed just one match due to injury: The Eagles outscored their opponents, 39-11, in the second half, proving the superior depth and conditioning of the team. With just one player lost to graduation and another exceptional recruiting class expected to enter in August, Mary Washington will again look to fly to the top of the Capital Athletic Conference and deep into the NCAA Tournament.