William & Mary Athletics

One of Al Albert's most talent squads, the 1996 edition earned the school's second, and most recent, visit to the NCAA Quarterfinals, joining the 1980 team.  The Tribe won its first two games; 3-1 over Army and 3-0 over Maryland, before falling in overtime to eventual national champion St. John's University in the quarterfinals. 
 
The Tribe was dominant throughout the 1996 season, fashioning 20-3-1 overall mark, including an 11-0 record against CAA competition (including regular season and championship).  Its 20 victories remains the program's single-season record, as do its eight regular-season conference wins (8), overall winning percentage (.854), conference winning percentage (1.000), winning streak (12), unbeaten streak (18), and shutouts (11).
The memorable season included a 4-0 shutout of North Carolina, as well as a 2-0 win over NC State and a 4-1 win over ODU.
 
Individually, the roster included four future W&M Athletics Hall of Famers in Adin Brown, Wade Barrett, Steve Jolley, and Waughn Hughes.  Hughes turned in one of the most prolific single seasons in the program's history, as he set the Tribe record for points (60) on 24 goals and 12 assists.  The production earned him All-America recognition and the CAA Player of the Year honor.   Hughes' 24 goals are second-highest single-season mark for W&M, while his 12 assists are tied for fourth.  Perhaps even more remarkable, was Hughes' school-record 11 game-winning goals.  Midfielders Dave McGowan and Wade Barrett were remarkable in their own right, as McGowan contributed 13 assists and Barrett handed out 12.   In goal, Adin Brown made 102 saves, which remains the Tribe's third best single-season effort.  Additionally, Brown earned eight shutouts, tying the school record and went on to be named CAA Rookie of the Year.