Last year's epic national championship battle pitted Virginia against John's Hopkins. The stage was set in Baltimore for two storied teams of similar records and identical goals -- the crown. The No. 2 Virginia men's lacrosse team edged the No. 1 John's Hopkins squad, 9-7, to win its second national championship in only five years.
With each team returning many young stars, the hard-fought clash foretold of a lasting, fiery rivalry for the coming years. Yet the stage set for this Saturday's 7:30 p.m. rematch tells a different story.
The No. 14 Cavaliers (2-4) look to again upend the No.1 Blue Jays (5-0) at Klöckner Stadium, but the backdrop of their seasons thus far reveals that it will be a difficult task. Returning eight of their 10 top scorers from last season, Hopkins began its 2004 journey by demolishing No. 3 Princeton, 14-5, and No. 5 Syracuse, 17-5, among others.
While the Blue Jays have been cruising, the Cavaliers have fallen to those same two teams that Hopkins annihilated, as well as No. 19 Denver and unranked Air Force. With those four loses, the turnover-plagued Virginia team suffered its longest losing streak in the past 17 years, though three of those defeats came by a total of only four goals.
The motivations for tomorrow's game, therefore, differ greatly from those of last year's contest.
"When you look at it in that regard, you couldn't have two teams with more different motivations," Virginia coach Dom Starsia said. "We're the defending national champions, but they're chomping at the bit with a chip on their shoulder."
While a championship may not be at stake tomorrow, the Cavaliers will look to hand John's Hopkins their first loss of the season and get back on track with an upset.
The Cavaliers snapped their four-game losing streak last Sunday at No. 18 Towson, pulling out a come-from-behind 9-8 overtime victory. The Cavaliers' strong defense, backed by veteran goalie Tillman Johnson, received aid from sophomore attackman Matt Ward, who converted on two vital scoring attempts. He leads the team in both goals and points this season. Tomorrow his scoring ability will be tested by the best scoring defense in the nation.
Hopkins coach Dave Pietramala claims that his squad isn't fooled by the early shortcomings of the relatively young Cavaliers.
"Our players have a tremendous amount of respect for them," he said. "We're not foolish enough to look at the rankings."
Hopkins has more incentive this weekend than simply avenging the national championship loss. The Blue Jays have only defeated the Cavaliers once since 2000. Senior captain Conor Ford, who is currently fifth in the nation in goals per game, claims that this game simply isn't a matter of payback, however.
"I really don't think our team is looking for revenge, necessarily," he said. "We're looking to put our best effort forward in attack, defense and faceoffs."
Whether Hopkins is out for revenge or simply looking to keep intact its 13-game regular season win streak, the stakes are high for both teams. Though off to a rocky start, the Cavaliers aren't down and out, with much of the season still ahead.
"This year isn't over -- Virginia has not said all that they've wanted to this season," Pietramala said.
This may not be the national title game, but the Cavaliers can make a championship caliber statement with an upset victory tomorrow.
Read More
You cannot say money is the problem for Virginia football
By Peter Kriebel | 5 hours 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 | 17 hours agoVirginia, once again in a lost season, looked aimless on the floor.
ISTVAN: Tony Bennett left Virginia in a hole
By Ben Istvan | YesterdayHis decision to retire doomed this men's basketball season.
