As they prepare for tomorrow's 7 p.m. meeting with the Eagles of American University (11-5-0, 3-2-0 PL) the Virginia men's soccer team (9-5-0, 2-3-0 ACC) is hitting their stride.
"The bounces are starting to go our way," senior midfielder Jonathan Cole said.
Cole's game-winning goal was the climax of a second half rally that lifted the Cavaliers over Old Dominion University on Wednesday night. The 3-2 defeat of ODU extended Virginia's current winning streak to three games and preserved their perfect 8-0 record at Klöckner Stadium.
The fact that the Cavaliers remain undefeated at home this season is no coincidence, according to senior forward Ryan Gibbs.
"Playing at home is so much different. It's like having an extra man on the field," Gibbs said.
Saturday night crowds make it easier to "get up" for the game, he added.
Virginia will count on fan support tomorrow as they face an Eagles squad still stinging from Tuesday's 1-0 shutout against Army. But American does not lack offensive firepower -- they boast a trifecta of sophomore scoring threats. Forward Andrew Herman, the 2001 Patriot League Rookie of the Year, leads the team with nine goals on the season. Highlighting his supporting cast with six goals apiece are forward Peter Philipakos, a transfer from St. John's University, and midfielder Shawn Kuykendall. Kuykendall is part of an American legacy -- both his parents were letter-winners, and his brother Kris is a fellow midfielder on the current Eagles team. But Kuykendall has distinguished himself in his own right, named Patriot League Offensive Player of the Week twice this season.
Virginia has an answer for Kuykendall and the American attack in the form of junior forward Alecko Eskandarian, a two-time ACC Player of the Week. Eskandarian leads the team with 19 goals.
Despite the non-conference status of the matchup, Virginia coach George Gelnovatch places a premium on victory against the Eagles.
With only four games remaining in the regular season, the Cavaliers found important lessons about teamwork in Wednesday night's come-from-behind victory.
"We stayed in the game because we kept picking each other up," Gibbs said.
Virginia hopes to put up a similar tally in tomorrow night's game, but the scoreboard will not display the most important outcome of the Saturday evening contest. The Cavaliers are participating in a national "Make a Difference Day" with a "Drive for Warmth." Fans are asked to bring "gently used" coats and blankets to be distributed to local agencies such as the Salvation Army. The first 300 donors will receive free entry to the game, with discounted tickets available to all other donors.
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