They pretend like it's just another game. When asked about this weekend's matchup against perennial all-world No. 2 North Carolina (13-0-1, 6-0 ACC) the No. 4 Cavaliers (11-1-1, 3-1-1 ACC) go out of their way to explain how they've "had to focus on other games."
"It's always been a long way off," midfielder Sarah Huffman said. "It's towards the end of the season. We're off [Wednesday] and starting Thursday, that's when we'll start focusing on them."
Anyone who has paid the least bit of attention to women's soccer in the past 25 years knows that having the Cavaliers' workman-like attitude is easier said than done. North Carolina is not just another game. It is THE game.
Virginia has never beaten North Carolina. But it goes deeper than that. The Cavaliers have fielded some impressive teams over the years, namely in 1990 when the team started the season 16-0 and in 1991 when Virginia made its first and only appearance in the College Cup (soccer's version of the Final Four). Take a guess which team ended Virginia's season on both occasions.
"Obviously, when you see them on the schedule, you know that it is going to be a big game," Huffman said. "We know we have to train hard to beat the best teams. And they are the best women's team around."
Despite North Carolina's stellar 6-0-1 record to date, something about this year seems different. The Tar Heels are not perfect. They tied a Tennessee team earlier in the season that has a loss to Richmond. 2003 Player of the Year/National team member Lindsay Tarpley fractured her right fibula against Virginia Tech and will miss the remainder of the season.
But maybe more importantly for the Cavaliers, Virginia fields an experienced, talented squad that has been on a crash course for North Carolina all season. Beginning with nine wins in a row, Virginia has already defeated three ranked teams including two (UCLA and Florida State) in the top 10. These impressive victories coupled with dominant performances against lesser opponents have left many with the impression that Swanson may have his best team in a number of years.
"This is the best team Virginia has had in a long time," Richmond head women's soccer coach Peter Albright said. "We wish them the best of luck. We wish them nothing but a national championship."
It is this goal of a national championship that keeps Virginia motivated. Despite fielding elite teams for numerous years, the Cavaliers have never won a women's soccer national title. Sunday, they face a North Carolina team with 18 in the last 25 years.
"The one thing I really feel good about this team is they have never taken their eye off the ultimate goal," Swanson said. "They are not satisfied with where they are. They want to keep improving. I think that's the measure of a great team."
Another measure of a great team is how it performs against North Carolina. Sunday afternoon in Chapel Hill, the Cavaliers will have an opportunity to show just how great they really are.
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