The Virginia men's soccer team travels to Maryland today to compete in the Maryland/Adidas Classic. In tonight's game, the No. 14 Cavaliers are looking for their first victory of the season when they take on unranked American University.
Both the Cavaliers (0-2-0) and the Eagles (1-0-1) come into tonight's game fresh off overtime contests. For the Cavaliers that meant a 3-2 loss to No. 11 Saint Louis in the final round last weekend in the Cavaliers' 2003 Virginia Soccer Classic at Klockner Stadium. The Billikens scored the first goal just 6:23 into the match, and were up 2-0 at halftime. Virginia answered twice in the second half to tie the game. Redshirt senior Matt Oliver scored at the 70:05 mark and was followed about 10 minutes later by redshirt Junior Chris Megaloudis who forced an overtime by scoring off of a penalty kick. But Saint Louis managed to score early on in the overtime period to end the game and hand Virginia the heartbreaking loss.
The Cavaliers have been working to compose themselves in anticipation of a weekend filled with stiff competition. While it may be tempting to look further down the road to UCLA on Sunday and Wake Forest the following Saturday, it is crucial for the Cavaliers to stay focused on American.
Like the Cavaliers, the Eagles are coming off overtime play. American's contest against Georgetown in the final match of the 2003 D.C. College Cup ended in a 1-1 indecision.Junior Peter Philipakos scored the only goal for the Eagles off of an assist from fellow junior Sean Albright. American played a man up for nearly 24 minutes after a Georgetown player was issued a red card, but the Eagles were not able to convert any opportunities to seal the win.
The Cavaliers know they need to start recording wins and they are certainly aware what that will take.
Right now, their shot quantity is impressive, but their actual scoring ability remains to be seen. Last Sunday Virginia out-shot Saint Louis 33-6 yet still left with a loss.
"Creating chances, passing -- all that stuff has been pretty good," coach George Gelnovatch said. "But we've given up some bad goals and missed some good chances. We don't have a lot of proven goal scorers."
Sophomore Hunter Freeman expressed his agreement on the matter of the Cavaliers' weaknesses.
"I think we're doing well other than putting the ball in the back of the net," Freeman said. "In both of our preseason games we gave up goals right away and it's hard to come back."
Although his team is winless after two games, Gelnovatch has not lost any confidence nor has he lowered any of his high expectations.
"We're a good team but there are a few things we need to iron out," Gelnovatch said."I'm still confident we'll be a playoff team; one of the better teams in the ACC."
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