Improving to 4-0 in the ACC after Sunday's win against Miami, the Virginia women's soccer team will face North Carolina with the best record it has ever held in the conference at this point in the season. A win tonight in Chapel Hill would be the first time in history the Cavaliers defeated the Tar Heels; sort of.
Last season, Virginia took home its first ever ACC Tournament title. The final game, against Carolina, ended in a 1-1 tie with the Cavaliers winning the penalty kick shootout, 5-4. Although the game ended Carolina's 28-game winning streak over Virginia, the game was recorded as a tie, not a loss, for the Tar Heels. This time, Virginia is looking to make its victory official and feels it would be especially satisfying to do it at North Carolina.
"We feel confident -- we're 4-0 in the ACC and we're preparing as much as we can," goalkeeper Christina de Vries said. "It's more exciting to think about beating them away, it pumps us up even more."
De Vries was named ACC player of the week two weeks ago, and last week freshman teammate Jess Rostedt received the same honor for her play at forward.
"We're excited for our kids to get recognized," coach Steve Swanson said. "I think it's more of a reflection on our team than anything else though."
De Vries also thinks that being named ACC player of the week is about more than just her as an individual.
"It's more important that we are doing so well; soccer isn't about the individual," De Vries said. "Without my defense, I couldn't have accomplished anything."
With the best record it's ever held and consecutive ACC players of the week, it is hard to believe that Virginia struggled some at the beginning of the year during the non-conference portion of its season. Nevertheless, the win over Richmond Sept. 18, when six different Cavaliers scored and the defense did not permit Richmond a single shot, seems to have given Virginia the momentum it needed for the ACC season.
"We've had to grow up pretty fast," Swanson said. "I don't think you have a choice, with the conference we're in and the games we've been playing. I mean you either rise to the level, or don't. We've learned the lessons of some of the beginning games of the season and we're happy with where we are."
Tonight's game will feature strong offenses from both North Carolina and Virginia. So far, all four Cavalier victories have been 1-0, a record that concerns Swanson as the team prepares to face Carolina.
"It will be a competitive game and good test for us at this point in time," Swanson said. "But UNC is a team that plays with a different style -- they do different things. It will definitely be a good challenge for us."
Swanson is not concerned, however, with not having the home-field advantage. In fact, he said he thinks it will be beneficial for his players.
"I think it's great," he said. "These are the kind of environments you need to play in. It's a good environment, a tough crowd, and this is the kind of atmosphere you want to see your team perform under."
Tonight's game will determine which team, the top-ranked Tar Heels, or the No. 5 Cavaliers, will remain the only unbeaten team in the ACC.
Read More
No. 6 women’s squash falls to No. 5 Stanford in first match of the new year
By Peter Kratz | YesterdayThe Cavaliers fall to 0-1 in conference play after their first clash with the Cardinal.
Katie Grimes posts historic debut as women’s swimming and diving annihilates Virginia Tech
By Xander Tilock | 3 days agoGrimes broke out as a new superstar for Coach Todd DeSorbo's squad.
Women’s basketball displays stingy defense, but falls short versus No. 14 Duke
By Xander Tilock | 3 days agoThe Cavaliers nearly conquered a ranked rival but could not generate consistent offense.
