Cavalier Corner is the publication just for UVa sports fans!
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BY WHITELAW REID A NGELA HUCLES, LORI Lindsey, Becky Sauerbrunn, Nikki Krzysik, Sinead Farrelly and Morgan Brian are some of the best players in Virginia soccer history. So when UVa head coach Steve Swanson puts Emily Sonnett in the same class, well, that's defi- nitely saying something. "She is a special player," said Swanson, when asked about his fourth-year defender. "She's a com- petitor. She's got the technical ability. She's a very sophisticated player. She's very smart. She's one of the brightest players I've ever coached — just her understanding of what needs to be done as a team. "I think she's not scared to lead when she needs to and I just think she brings a technical level that's unique, a tactical level that's unique and a mentality that's unique. And she's got the physical qualities." Last season, Sonnett was named Most Outstand- ing Defensive Player at the College Cup. This season, the Marietta, Ga., native is a can- didate for the Hermann Trophy, which is awarded annually to the best player in the country. During UVa's 8-1-1 start this season, she tallied three goals and anchored a defense that was allowing only 0.6 goals per game. "Emily just keeps us organized, keeps the whole team organized," said fourth-year forward Makenzy Doniak, who is also a Hermann Trophy candidate. "She's our rock back there. Whoever we're facing, she just keeps us tight and our shape together. She's a great voice on the field for us." Sonnett credits Morgan Brian and Danielle Co- laprico, another former Virginia star, with showing her the way. "They were a huge part of changing this program and the mentality behind it," she said. "Just learning from those two, on and off the field, was huge. "They had a huge impact on me and everyone else here." Coming out of high school, Sonnett didn't con- sider Virginia until late in the recruiting process. She thought that she might join her twin sister, Emma, also a soccer player, at Georgia. But after visiting Virginia and having good chem- istry with Swanson, Sonnett became a Wahoo, pick- ing UVa over the Bulldogs and Notre Dame. "It just kind of felt right," she said. Sonnett said the idea of a sister "package deal" was broached, but Emma was attracted to Georgia because of its strong veterinary school. UNIQUE TALENT Fourth-Year Defender Emily Sonnett Is An Indispensible Player For The Cavaliers