WORLD CUP CHAMPS! Becky Sauerbrunn, Morgan Brian, and Emily Sonnett take home the trophy

For the second straight Women’s World Cup, the US Women’s National Team are champions. The US took down the Netherlands in the WWC final, 2-0, behind second half goals from Megan Rapinoe and Rose Lavelle. Three Virginia soccer alums — Becky Sauerbrunn, Morgan Brian, and Emily Sonnett — made the 2019 World Cup squad, and it’s the second title for Sauerbrunn and Brian (both were on the 2015 team). Virginia women’s soccer head coach Steve Swanson is an assistant coach on the team.

Brian and Sonnett saw action in the USA’s second game in pool play against Chile, with Brian starting and Sonnett coming in as a sub in the 82nd minute. Sauerbrunn started almost every game for the US, including the title game.

In the finals, things were knotted up after 45 minutes of play, despite opportunities for both sides. Rapinoe got the scoring started with a penalty kick conversion in the 61st minute, then Wisconsin alum Rose Lavelle gave the US an insurance goal with a beauty of a score in the 69th minute.

It looked like Sauerbrunn may have to come out after a head-to-head collision with one of the Dutch players left her bloodied:

She would leave the field, but a little blood wouldn’t keep her from coming back in in what was likely her final World Cup match.

The savvy defender helped hold the Dutch side scoreless, despite facing multiple challenges throughout the game.

Virginia Athletic Director Carla Williams appeared to have made the trip to France for the finals to root on the Hoos in action:

Huge congrats to Becky, Morgan, and Emily! Wahoowa.