Cavalier Corner

October 2014

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"I visited here and just loved it," Doniak said. "I came to watch a Friday night game and just loved the atmosphere and loved the coaching staff … "It was the total package for me." After her soccer days, Doniak, who is majoring in communication disorders, wants to work with special needs kids. "I've always loved children," she said, "and want to make a difference with what I do." But before life in the real world, Doniak has one more box to check off on her soccer résumé: joining UVa teammate Morgan Brian on the U.S. National Team. "It's definitely a dream of mine to play on the full team," she said. "I know it will take a lot of work, but we'll see. It's definitely in my sights." Swanson believes Doniak has it in her. "It's so important to focus on the here and now, but I think certainly her athleticism is world-class … "We've always known she can score goals. It's can she defend, can she make runs that opens up space for other players? I think from what I've seen she's gotten better in those instances, and I think that's been a good sign." Doniak said Brian has been an invaluable re- source. "She's a great role model for me because she is ultimately doing what I want to do," Doniak said. "Her advice and stuff is great for me as a player." Doniak believes that playing on the U-20 team helped her improve her technical ability. She also came away with a new appreciation of the work that's necessary to be an elite player. "The one thing that I've taken away is that ev- ery single practice that I play — you have to really take it as a way to get better," said Doniak, who scored the team's lone goal in the penalty kick loss to North Korea. "It's easy to think that you're tired or whatever, but you have to take everything really seriously." Doniak was instrumental in helping Virginia make the College Cup (soccer's version of the Final Four in its NCAA Tournament) last season. She was a first-team National Soccer Coaches Association of America All-American, leading the ACC with 20 goals and 46 points. "It didn't turn out the way we wanted," she said, alluding to the team's semifinal loss, "but I remember every second of it." A 2013 MAC Hermann Trophy semifinalist, she recorded a goal or an assist in 18 of Virginia's 26 games, including a hat trick against Saint Francis (Pa.) in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Over her first two seasons, Doniak scored 30 goals and posted 14 assists. Virginia third-year Brittany Ratcliffe was amazed at how good Doniak was as a first-year, but said she's improved by leaps and bounds since. "It's unbelievable," Ratcliffe said. "She's gotten better. Who even thought that was possible? "She's definitely grown as a player — mentally and physically and skillfully. She's just gotten so much better." What separates Doniak from other players, Rat- cliffe said, is how smart she is off the ball. "She knows when to make a run, knows what runs to make," Ratcliffe said. "And then on the ball, she's strong and fast. She's able to make things happen when you'd think she wouldn't be able to make things happen. She's got it all." ◆ "Having that under my belt as I move forward is just really going to help me." DONIAK ON PLAYING FOR THE U.S. UNDER-20 WORLD CUP TEAM THIS SUMMER

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