Senior defender Emily Sonnett (Marietta, Ga.) has been named the ESPNW National Player of the Year, the media organization announced on Wednesday (Nov. 11).
Sonnett, who was named the ACC Defensive Player of the Year in a vote of the league’s coaches last week, helped Virginia to a 9-1 record in conference play and the ACC regular-season championship. With a 16-1-2 record on the year, Virginia is currently the top-ranked team in the nation and earned a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. She was also named an All-ACC first team selection.
The Cavaliers host Howard in first round action of the NCAA Tournament this Friday at 6 p.m.
One of the best defenders in the nation, Sonnett anchors a Cavalier back line that has allowed only 11 goals through 19 matches as Virginia has posted 12 shutout victories on the year. The Cavaliers have allowed two goals in four matches this season. The defender added three goals this season, scoring against UNCW, Cal Poly and Old Dominion.
Virginia is tied for eighth nationally in shutout percentage (.632) and is 12th nationally in goals against (.561). The 12 shutouts is tied for eighth in the nation.
Sonnett earned her first cap when she took the field with the US Women’s National Team on October 25 against Brazil as a part of the team’s victory tour.
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Chris Graham
