The University of Virginia men's soccer team entered the ACC tournament uncertain of the fate of the rest of their season; they left with an automatic bid into the NCAA tournament. Tonight at 7 p.m. they kick off their 23rd straight tournament appearance at home against the Seton Hall Pirates.
The performance of the Cavaliers (9-9-2) in the ACC tournament was nothing short of spectacular. They defeated both Clemson and nationally-ranked Wake Forest for the second time this season in the first and second rounds respectively. In the final, they avenged a loss earlier in the season against Maryland to win their eighth ACC title -- the first in five years, and the second under the reign of coach George Gelnovatch.
Virginia's success thus far can be greatly attributed to their defensive effort. Led by junior Matt Oliver, the defense raised their intensity and overall effort last week, giving up only one goal in regulation during the entire ACC tournament.
"The defense is really just playing phenomenal," freshman goalkeeper Ryan Burke said. "There's a sense of urgency amongst the guys in the back. They've done well."
Burke stands at the pinnacle of the Cavalier defense. The freshman performed like a veteran in clutch situations throughout the ACC tournament, culminating with a triumphant diving save in the ninth round of penalty kicks against the Terrapins to give Virginia the ACC title.
"He's a freshman," Gelnovatch said. "In a year or two, three years from now, it's going to be interesting to see how good he gets."
Regardless of the team's defensive play, however, they need to step up their game in the offense zone. Like the competition, the Cavaliers only scored one regulation goal in the conference tournament. Two of the wins came after winning penalty kick shootouts while the other resulted from a Wake Forest own goal.
"We're finding ways to win games, and that's all that really matters," junior midfielder Kirk Dinnall said. "I think we have a long way to go [on offense], but I think we're on the right path at least."
Seton Hall (9-5-4) is making its third straight tournament appearance, a feat they have not accomplished since 1990-1992. They are 5-8 all-time in the tournament, and were eliminated in the first round last year following a 1-0 loss to Penn. The Pirates' last game was a 1-0 overtime loss to Rutgers in the Big East Championship quarterfinals.
Virginia's season came to an end in the second round of last year's tournament, with a 1-1 loss to William & Mary. The Tribe was awarded the win after penalty kicks.
The Cavaliers lead the all-time series against Seton Hall in men's soccer, 3-2-0, but when the teams met in the season opener Aug. 29 at the Virginia Soccer Classic in Charlottesville, it was the Pirates who came away with a 1-0 victory. Seton Hall also defeated the Cavaliers, 1-0, the last time they met in the NCAA tournament in 2001. Virginia also hosted that game.
Despite their past losses to the Pirates, the Cavaliers have momentum heading into tonight's game. They look to ride the strong play of Burke and the defense and make their 62nd tournament appearance a memorable one.
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