From 2001 to 2004, Villanova women’s soccer experienced an era of unprecedented success. The Wildcats made their first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance in 2001 and qualified in each of the next three seasons. In 2003, they captured their first BIG East Championship, made a historic run to the Sweet 16, and accomplished a program record of 15 wins in a season. It’s no coincidence that this period of excellence coincided with the career of Michelle Biehl, a defender who exemplified consistency, leadership, and an unshakable presence on the backline.
In 2001, during her rookie season, Biehl was tasked with shutting down a potent No. 22 West Virginia offense that averaged well over two goals per game. She led the effort, limiting a dangerous Mountaineer offense to just one goal. Then, with 2:52 remaining in regulation, the defender took matters into her own hands. Finding an opening on the other end of the field, she fired a shot from the top of the box. The Mountaineer goalkeeper deflected it, but Villanova capitalized on the rebound to net the game-tying goal in a 1-1 draw. This season, Biehl earned a spot on the Soccer Buzz Freshman All-America second team and was named to the Big East Post-Season All-Rookie team, a preview of the distinguished career to come.
Fast forward to 2004, Biehl is no longer just a defensive standout. She is the heart of a championship program. Now a senior leader, she and the Wildcats once again faced an explosive West Virginia team, ranked No. 9 in the country and averaging 2.6 goals per game. But this time, it wasn’t just about containing the Mountaineers, it was about proving how far Villanova had come. Biehl controlled the game from the backline, keeping West Virginia off the board entirely and securing a 1-0 victory.
During the 2003 campaign, Biehl was named Big East Defensive Player of the Week three times. She led a Villanova Defense that recorded 13 shutouts and allowed just 10 goals in 20 games that season. Early in the season Biehl was named to Missouri Athletic Club’s “Watch List” of players considered among the top candidates for the 2003 Missouri Athletic Club’s Hermann Trophy, which represents the highest level of individual achievement in college soccer.
A two-time All-American, Biehl remains the only player in Villanova women’s soccer history to earn that recognition twice, receiving third-team honors in both 2002 and 2003. She was also a three-time All-BIG EAST Team selection and a four-time Mid-Atlantic All-Region Honoree.
From her rookie year to senior year, Michelle brought a consistency, tenacity and competitiveness that was the driving force behind the women soccer team’s historic rise. Biehl started all 88 games she played in, setting a program record for career starts while tying for the fourth-most games played in school history. Across her four seasons, Villanova’s defense allowed just 5.9 shots on goal per game and recorded 48 shutouts in 90 games, a testament to her leadership and defensive dominance.
