Becca Wann returns after winning gold at FIFA U-20 World Cup

University of Richmond soccer player Becca Wann said the highlight of her 2012 soccer year didn't happen in E. Claiborne Robins Stadium.

Instead, it was in the backyard of the U.S. Ambassador's house in Tokyo, where Wann, alongside her U.S. Under-20 Women's National Team teammates, played soccer with a middle school girl's team, she said.

Wann, who also plays basketball for Richmond, was one of 21 players who represented the U.S. at the 2012 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup, held in Japan from Aug. 19 to Sept. 8. The team was crowned the Women's World Cup Champion after it defeated defending champion Germany 1-0 at the National Stadium in Tokyo.

The moments following the blow of the whistle signifying that the U.S. had won the gold had been especially rewarding, Wann said.

"The team dogpiled on the field. Confetti fell. We all shook the princess' hand," Wann said. "The night was surreal."

Wann was selected for the Under-20 team by head coach Steve Swanson after she trained with the team in Bradenton, Fla., in May and July.

Peter Albright, Richmond's women's soccer coach, said that Wann's athleticism had made her an ideal choice for the national team.

The team played against Ghana, China and Japan, Wann said. Wann's international debut came late in her team's first game of the tournament against China, which ended with a 1-1 tie, she said.

Although Wann did not play a lot during the tournament, she played a significant role in the success of the team, Albright said.

"I talked with the coaches a couple of times, and they were both very complimentary of her contributions," he said. "She elevated the level of competitiveness, brought a wonderful spirit, a lot of positive energy. She played a big part in the team chemistry and training.

"She has a tremendous athletic ability and a tremendous competitive spirit, Albright said. "She is probably the most intensely competitive athlete I've ever coached. Her timing, vertical leap, her strength, her technique is extraordinary."

Wann's athleticism in both soccer and basketball gives her incredible spatial awareness, Albright said.

Wann returned from Tokyo on Sept. 10, and immediately contributed to Richmond's soccer team, scoring two goals in the team's 2-0 win at Old Dominion on Friday. Although she became very close with the national team during the past few months, Wann said she had been particularly excited to return to the Richmond team.

"I'm excited to get some results and show the ACC schools that Richmond is a team to compete with, as well," Wann said.

"Hopefully, we would get to play some of my former national teammates in the NCAA tournament."

Junior Jensen Smith, a forward on Richmond's soccer team, said the biggest obstacle facing the team would be looking beyond the 2-5 start to the season and being confident. The team goal every year is to make it to the Atlantic 10 Conference and win the conference title, she said.

"Although it will be a challenge to try to start fresh, I know for a fact that everyone on the team believes we can turn our season around and win the A-10 title," Smith said.

Leaders emerged in Wann's absence, she said. "It's so important to all be striving for the same goals, and having so many girls on this team willing to push each other toward those goals and never give up on ourselves is really special," Smith said.

Wann's return will elevate the spirits of the team, Albright said.

"She scores a lot of goals, which is hard to come by in college soccer," he said. "But beyond that, she has a bigger impact in her personality and her influence in the game. She just changes the game so much, even without scoring. We have a good team that's about to get better."

The Spiders play American University on Saturday at Robins Stadium.

Contact reporter Jenna Robinson at jenna.robinson@richmond.edu