This season, there's only one game that Virginia's field hockey team does not want to play. Considering the Cavaliers' brutal schedule, which pits Virginia against defending conference champion Maryland and defending national champion Michigan, one might conclude that the Cavaliers may find themselves outmatched.
Although Virginia certainly will have to face the Wolverines and the Terps, there is a realistic chance the Cavaliers will not have to play in the one game they dread. If the Cavaliers play well enough throughout the regular season, they might just get their wish and not have to play in the conference tournament's play-in game.
"Every year, we've been in the play-in game of the ACC tournament," said senior midfielder Kelli Hill. "It's a silly goal but one of our goals is not to play in that game, which obviously means we want to be in the top three of the ACC."
Achieving that goal will not come easily, considering the ACC's stunning depth -- all five teams were ranked in the top 15 nationally last season -- or considering the loss of senior All-Americans Jessica Coleman and Carrie Goodloe to graduation.
With the loss of their two stars, who combined to contribute 50 percent of the team's 136 points last season and scored 225 career points between them, the Cavaliers will rely less on individual stardom and more on team achieving.
"It's hard when you lose big names like that," Hill said. "This year, we don't have someone who is known nationally."
"I think that helps us. Our strength is in our team. Our strength is in each individual player out there getting their job done. That might be a little bit different from last year because the reliance might be different. Everyone knows that they've got to get their job done for us to succeed. I think that's going to help us because it's going to make us gel together as a team."
Coach Jessica Wilk, who is in her fourth season at Virginia, lists intangibles as the most prominent loss with the departure of last season's seniors, but confidently expects some of her veteran players to fill those voids.
"All of our seniors last year brought tremendous leadership, tremendous athleticism, and tremendous competitiveness," Wilk said. "I think we've got kids that are ready to step up into leadership roles. I think we've got some athletes out there, and we certainly have the competitiveness.Certainly, filling those shoes will be a difficult task, but I'm anticipating that we'll have players that are willing to step up in all three of those roles."
Four returning starters, senior midfielders Cara Unterkofler and Hill, as well as senior forwards Rosemary Walker and Katie Slocum will strive to provide the leadership for the Cavaliers.
Defensively, Virginia figures to be particularly strong. Along with Hill, the Cavaliers return starters junior Katie Jo Gerfen, sophomore Emily Beach, and junior goalkeeper Emily White. In 19 games and over 1,400 minutes of action in goal last season, White managed five shutouts and sported a goals-against average of 1.507.
With the team losing its primary goal scorers to graduation, the source of the team's scoring remains to be seen.Slocum, who scored six goals all of last season, is the leading returning goal scorer. However, Wilk believes the team as a whole has made strides to improve its ability to put the ball in the goal.
"In a sport that is typically low scoring, [scoring] is always a worry, but I feel very confident with this group in terms of their ability to put the ball in the cage," Wilk said."We have worked tirelessly with the entire unit and they've improved dramatically."
While the team may not be able to control its ability to score, it can maintain a strong mental approach and enthusiasm, which Hill also lists as a team goal.
"We want to keep our intensity level up, play our game the entire time regardless of who we play. Those are our goals for every day," she said.
An extremely strong freshman class figures to have an immediate impact, especially on the offensive side of the ball. Of the eight members of this season's freshman corps, five earned national recognition for their play in high school. Midfielders Sara York and Katie Pillips and back Sarah Miller earned All-American credentials while Allie Flynn was named a regional All-American for her play as a forward.Katherine Blair, a goalkeeper from Louisville, Ky., was a member of the USA under-19 team.
"I'm expecting a lot from our first year class," Wilk said.
While they gear up for the season opener against Ohio Saturday, the Cavaliers recognize that as a team, they have nowhere to go but up.
"I think we're looking very good for the start of our season," Hill said. "But I'm really excited because we're just going to keep going up from here.
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