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26 CAVALIER CORNER I knew what I was capable of but often overcomplicated the game. "A moment where I felt as though everything started to click was dur- ing the Wake Forest game in 2018. I started trusting my abilities as a player and my teammates around me as well. I simplified the game and re- alized that was much more effective. I recorded a goal and assist, which gave me confidence moving forward that I would be able to impact this team and program in the future." To top off that first-year season, she missed the season opener be- cause she was overseas competing with the U-20 U.S. Women's Youth National Team in the 2018 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup. Since that time, Spaanstra has amassed 29 goals and 29 assists for her UVA career that has spanned 84 games and includes a College Cup appearance and the 2021 ACC reg- ular-season championship. She has been a four-time All-ACC selection and a three-time all-region selection. That experience with the U-20 team as a freshman was just one of international opportunities through the years for Spaanstra. She had competed in the 2016 U-17 Women's World Cup and most recently, traveled to Sweden this summer with the U-23 U.S. Women's Youth National Team — all experiences that have benefited her greatly. "Anytime you play with the national team at any level it is a significant accom- plishment," Swanson said. "Some players last one cycle, maybe with an age group and then for whatever reason may fall off as other players bubble up. Alexa has consis- tently been a fixture on almost every national team since she was a teenager. She has played for the United States at the U-17 World Cup, two U-20 World Cups and now with the U-23's. "It is a testament to her work ethic and commitment to her development that she has continued to grow and improve as a player even with all her successes. All of these national team and camp experiences during her young soccer career have helped her gain confidence, become a better leader and made her a game changer for our team and one of the top players in college soccer." Her experience this summer and being a fifth-year member of the squad have excite- ment running high for the coaching staff. "We could not be more excited about Alexa coming back for her fifth year," Swanson said. "She is such a special player and plays with a competitiveness that is hard to match. We expect her to be a leader for us both on and off the field and even more want her to enjoy the challenges that come with college soccer. "We fully expect her to be playing at the next level in a year's time, so hopefully she can help us make a little more his- tory for our program this season." "We have a significant amount of people coming back from our suc- cessful season last year, which is ex- citing," Spaanstra said. "Each year, we always want to improve how we did and win a national championship. Last year, we put ourselves in a great position moving into the postseason by winning the ACC regular season. "We greatly stress the impor- tance of each game, knowing every game matters. For my final season, I hope to be a leader on the field and leave a lasting impression that future classes can carry on during their time at UVA. "Nothing beats a Thursday night game at Klöckner under the lights and with packed stands competing for an NCAA championship with some of my best friends." Spaanstra is also amazed at where her career has taken her as she prepares for her fifth season in Charlottesville, not just for the athletic experiences, but for the academic opportunities as well. "I am super fortunate to be able to have another season here at UVA," Spaanstra said. "It's funny looking back at how I wanted to graduate a semester early and now I am taking an extra year here; time really does fly. "One of the main reasons as to why I came back for another year is due to the academic side of things. I took a class with Profes- sor Anna Katherine Clay that sparked my interest in sports journalism and sports media. I got to write game stories, features and be a part of the ACC Network camera production crew at multiple spring events. "There were many prominent sports media members, includ- ing professional athletes, sports journalists, editors, and sideline reporters that came to talk to our class about their experiences and what a day in their life looks like. I would have never been able to experience this and find something other than soccer that I am passionate about if it hadn't been for taking this extra year here at UVA." " All of these national team and camp experiences during her young soccer career have helped her gain confidence, become a better leader and made her a game changer for our team and one of the top players in college soccer. " HEAD COACH STEVE SWANSON ON SPAANSTRA A native of Brighton, Mich., Spaanstra has been a consistent fixture on the U.S. National Teams since she was a teenager. She has played for the United States at the U-17 World Cup, two U-20 World Cups and now with the U-23s. (Photo by Matt Riley/courtesy UVA)