A disappointing loss in a big game is something that will affect the confidence of any team, especially one that is going into a national tournament. The No. 20 Virginia women's soccer team is in just that position.
Virginia (11-6-2) is coming off a first-round 1-0 loss at the hands of the Duke Blue Devils (8-8-2) in the ACC tournament last Thursday in Tallahassee, Fla.
The game was an unfortunate outcome for the Cavaliers, who were looking to win the ACC tournament, but they hope to start anew in the first round of the NCAA tournament against Dayton in Morgantown, W.Va. today at 4 p.m.
"I think our season has tested us and our team in many ways this year, Coach Steve Swanson said. But "we've got a whole new season to play."
The Cavaliers gathered in their locker room on Monday -- with an air of anticipation and anxiousness -- to watch the NCAA tournament selection show. When it was announced that the team would face Dayton in the first round, Virginia had lost the chance to host a team at home, but the Cavaliers did not seem fazed.
"It's exciting to get into the tournament, let alone host," Swanson said. "I think we had an outside shot to host, but I think we all knew it was a long shot."
The Virginia squad was obviously disappointed with the news of their upcoming road game, but is not ungrateful for the chance to appear in the NCAA tournament.
"We're happy we made it, first of all, but I think we really wanted a home bid," senior captain Kelly Worden said.
One year ago, the Cavaliers finished the season with an overall record of 17-4-2 and went 5-2 in the ACC. This season has been an anomaly for the annually competitive Cavalier team, with big wins tempered by close losses.
Swanson says that despite the team's sub-par performance this season, the Cavaliers' main values have not changed.
"My philosophy has always been that you concentrate on your team, and get your team to do the things they do a little bit better," Swanson said.
Virginia will have to use all of its resources in order to knock off a tough Dayton (17-3) team this afternoon. In their last 10 games, the Flyers are 9-1, but are in a similar position to the Cavaliers. The Flyers lost in the semifinals of the Atlantic-10 conference to Richmond 1-0 last Friday, meaning they are just as determined to win today's game.
"We're a pretty different team from the beginning of our season, and we've made a lot of changes," Virginia senior forward Darci Borski said. "We're playing well now."
"I appreciate how hard the road was for our kids to get here," Swanson said.
The victory of today's match-up could play either the No. 5 West Virginia or Loyola-Maryland in the second round. If the Cavaliers and West Virginia come away with a win tonight, it would be a rematch between the two powerhouses in the second round of the tournament. West Virginia took the first meeting earlier this year, but Virginia could get their revenge.
No matter the outcome of either game, tonight's match will be a true test for the Cavaliers.
Read More
Football lands three additional transfers
By Peter Kriebel | YesterdayOne common trait that stands out with this most recent batch of transfers is size.
Men’s basketball suffers road drubbing versus California
By Emory Huffman | YesterdayVirginia submitted another rudderless performance.
