Nothing but good memories

Annapolis (Map, News) - Navy’s women’s soccer team might have ended its season with a lopsided 4-0 loss to North Carolina Sunday in the second round of the NCAA tournament, but that won’t be the memory lingering in the minds of the Midshipmen.

Instead, Navy’s players and coaches will look back on a 2006 campaign that included a school-best 21-1-2 record, a victory over nationally ranked Penn State, winning the Patriot League tournament and advancing in the NCAA tournament for the first time in school history after taking out William & Mary Friday in penalty kicks Friday.

The Midshipmen’s future appears bright. Only four seniors are scheduled to graduate while a strong nucleus returns next year, including seven talented freshmen, one of the best goalies in the country in Lizzie Barnes and coach Carin Gabarra, who is 172-84-18 in 14 seasons at Navy.

“Everything fell into place this year,” said Gabarra, who was named Patriot League coach of the year. “We’ve always had solid defense, and we were helped out a great deal on the other side with everyone contributing on offense.”

Navy nearly swept this year’s Patriot League awards. Senior forward Meggie Curran was named offensive player of the year, freshman Shelly Moeller shared defensive player of the year honors, Barnes was goalie of the year and midfielder Cassie Barbaresi was co-rookie of the year.

For the year, Navy outscored its opponents, 70-9, and out-shot them, 403-241. Curran led the Midshipmen with 12 goals and 15 assists, while Barbaresi had six goals and three assists. Barnes ended the year with a 0.29 goals-against average and a .933 save percentage, including 13 shutouts.

However, regardless of all the accolades and on-the-field accomplishments, Gabarra said this season was her most rewarding because of her team’s camaraderie. The success on the field was simply a bonus.

“I’ve never been around a team where everyone got along like this team did,” Gabarra said. “Our goal was to get into the Patriot League tournament and compete for the title, and we far surpassed all of our preseason goals.

“We step on the field every time out expecting to win the game. North Carolina’s fitness, talent and the way they surround the ball was something we hadn’t seen this year, and we just couldn’t keep up with them. But with everything we accomplished this year, I think the players will have memories that will last them a lifetime.”

NAVY NOTES

» Goalie Lizzie Barnes’ streak of not allowing a goal for 859 minutes, 23 seconds between Sept. 17 and Oct. 23 is the seventh-longest streak in NCAA history.

» Navy finished the season as one of the most improved teams in the country after going 10-8-2 in 2005.

» Forward Meggie Curran ended her career with a program-best 42 assists.

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