By Chris O’Grady

Sophomore goalkeeper Taylor Vancil has spent much of her time at the University of Louisville surrounded by high expectations for success.

But Vancil said it’s her ability to let the pressures fade away on the field that allows her to be a playmaker for the women’s soccer team

“I think I just have the ability to be calm on the field,” said Vancil. “I don’t ever get too excited or too negative out there.”

Head coach Karen Ferguson-Dayes noted the importance of Vancil’s performance for the team’s season-opening winning streak. The team is enjoying a 8-2 start to their 2010 season, after finishing last season at 5-11-1.

“She has made big plays in big moments,” said Ferguson-Dayes. “Especially in big times, she just has a superior shot-stopping ability.”

Vancil has played every minute in goal for the Cardinals to this point in the season, registering 55 saves through 10 games and allowing only 12 goals – eight of which came in losses to Top 25 teams University of Illinois and Notre Dame University. She also has four shutouts already on the season.

Her nine save performance against DePaul matched the most saves by any Cardinal goal keeper in school history.

“I get just as nervous as anybody before, but when I am on the field I am just relaxed and not really worried,” said Vancil. “I think a lot of my success comes from that calmness, just I’m not always like, ‘Oh my gosh, the ball’s coming at me.'”

Vancil came to U of L after graduating high school early, with plenty of experience before college. She was a member of the United States national under-17 and then under-20 teams. Vancil graduated high school in December of 2008 to enroll at U of L and participate in the Cards’ spring season.

Vancil started all but one game in her freshman season last fall, registering 58 saves. Her 1.43 goal per game average was the third best in Cardinal soccer history. She has quickly become the face of the women’s soccer program.

“I think she handles it very well because she’s so level-headed,” said Ferguson-Dayes. “She’s a very humble girl, and probably tries to hide behind the program. She is a quiet, introspective girl.”

Senior center halfback Meredith Tolley said that Vancil has adjusted well to being the Cards’ leader on defense.

“She’s definitely a great leader for us, even as a sophomore,” said Tolley. “She comes up huge for us so many times. She’s always there to clean up my mistakes.”

Ferguson-Dayes said Vancil helps manage the team’s defense against attack.

“She just sees the game really well and sorts stuff out for us on defense,” said Ferguson-Dayes. “I love how vocal she is back there.”

Tolley agreed that Vancil’s guidance of the defense has been a tremendous key to the team’s success.

“She is very vocal, and she has to be, as the goalkeeper,” said Tolley. “She gets us all sorted out. And she just amazes me in goal with the saves she can make.”

Vancil shrugs off her importance, saying it’s just the nature of her job.

“I guess seeing the field well just comes from watching lots of video,” said Vancil. “As a keeper, you get a good view of what’s going on. I just try to minimize my mistakes.”

According to Ferguson-Dayes, the team has fallen into a lull and will need Vancil’s continued leadership and playmaking ability heading into Big East play.

“Taylor just needs to continue what she’s doing,” said Ferguson-Dayes. “She’s improved in a lot of areas, beyond her shot stopping, as far as the kicking game. And she has gotten to be great with her distribution. We just need her to keep it up. The kids are kind of dragging a bit right now.”

Tolley has no doubt Vancil will be able to continue on her record-setting path, noting the positive leadership of the keeper.

“Whenever it’s a hard spot in the game or it starts to get frustrating, she just brings a lot of positivity into the huddle,” said Tolley. “She is a huge, consistent leader for us.”