The No. 5 Virginia women's soccer team faces its biggest challenge of the year Sunday afternoon when it takes on No. 1 North Carolina at Klöckner. The Cavaliers (12-2-2, 3-1-1 ACC) have never won in this series, amassing a total record of 0-26-0 when facing the Tar Heels.
Until just recently, Virginia has not posed a considerable threat to the Tar Heels (16-0, 5-0) in their quest to erase the goose egg from their series record. This year is a different story. Virginia has looked strong this season with quality wins over four ranked teams, highlighted by their 4-1 manhandling of No. 3 Santa Clara at the Virginia Nike Soccer Classic on Sept. 12.
The Tar Heels are a well-oiled soccer machine, including in its alumni ranks the most recognizable female soccer face on the planet in Mia Hamm. None of this phases Virginia coach Steve Swanson.
"I think certainly it's a game that most people in the outside world would say we're not supposed to win," Swanson said. "But we can win, and I think we believe that. I think our mindset's going to be important."
The Cavaliers made ground on the Heels last year, coming as close as they ever have to pulling out an upset victory. Virginia took a 1-0 lead into halftime in front of 2,085 fans in Chapel Hill. They kept the one goal advantage deep into the second, but with only nine minutes left, the UNC offense got rolling. Forwards Lindsay Tarpley and Anne Morrell each netted a goal in a three minute span for the Tar Heels, leaving Virginia's hopes shattered.
For team scoring leader Kelly Hammond, last year's experience will do nothing but help the Cavaliers this time around.
"I think we know from last year that we can play with this team," the sophomore midfielder said. "We have confidence that we can beat this team. We hope we have a big crowd to back us up."
Hammond leads Virginia with 12 goals and 29 points, 10 points higher than the next player on the list, junior forward Lindsay Gusick. In their 6-0 win over Liberty Tuesday, Hammond and Gusick teamed up for three goals and two assists.
The out-of-town visitors are sure to bring lots of excitement to Klöckner Stadium. For detractors of soccer who bemoan the lack of scoring and shots in the most-played sport worldwide, the North Carolina women will be sure to quench their appetites.
UNC has outscored their opponents 62-5 in 16 games this season, averaging 3.83 goals per game while taking three times as many shots.
In Virginia's collapse last year against the Tar Heels, they were out-shot by a similar margin, posting five to North Carolina's 14. Goalkeeper Anne Abernethy kept the Cavaliers in the game with a then-season high six saves.
Virginia will need a similarly stellar performance by the senior from Atlanta, with a little help from Hammond and Gusick if they want to avoid going 0-for-27.
Read More
You cannot say money is the problem for Virginia football
By Peter Kriebel | 40 minutes agoMoney, after all, is just one aspect of a winning program.
West Coast woes strike again as men’s basketball gets hammered by Stanford
By Emory Huffman | 12 hours agoVirginia, once again in a lost season, looked aimless on the floor.
ISTVAN: Tony Bennett left Virginia in a hole
By Ben Istvan | 20 hours agoHis decision to retire doomed this men's basketball season.
