One of the biggest contributors to the Virginia men's soccer team thus far has been senior midfielder Joe Vide. A three-year veteran of the Cavaliers, Vide already has notched a goal and two assists in the 2005 campaign. Although he is not considered a main goal-scoring threat, Vide's versatility and athleticism make him an invaluable asset to the team.
Virginia coach George Gelnovatch has witnessed both Vide's commitment to the team and his development as a player the past three seasons.
"He's been around longer than anyone else," Gelnovatch said. "He's fitted for his role. He's an all-around midfielder. He's a playmaker, he's a chaser."
Throughout his career, Vide has established himself as a playmaker, not necessarily a goal-scoring threat, as he has scored just three goals in his career.
"The one thing he's not is a goal scorer," Gelnovatch said. "In the role that he's playing, that's okay. In fact, he got a goal the other night [against Mount St. Mary's]. He really helps us."
Despite scoring infrequently, Vide has always found other ways to contribute. He already has a pair of assists this season and has grown into his role as a leader on the field. Leadership is a trait Gelnovatch probably is looking for, considering Vide is one of just two seniors on the team.
"I'm not big on the whole 'I'm a senior' thing," Vide said. "We don't have that. Everyone is just kind of equal. I do share knowledge from my experience with some of the younger players."
Vide certainly has a wealth of experience that will help him continue to advise the less experienced players. Virginia has been to the ACC Tournament each season of Vide's career.
"My best memories are the ACC Championships," Vide said. "All three years I've been to the finals, and I have two rings, so I can't complain."
Vide's memories of his soccer career, however, consist of more than his three years as a Cavalier. Before coming to Virginia in the fall of 2002, Vide played for the Munich 1860 "A Team" for three years. The league in which Vide played was one level below professional. During this time, Vide lived by himself and passed on an opportunity to play professionally so that he could come to Virginia.
"I think [playing in Munich] made the transition to college life a lot easier since I had been living on my own for three years," he said. "So coming in by myself was not very hard for me."
Certainly, Vide has carried his success from Munich to Charlottesville. However, he is still not satisfied with reliving all of the team's accomplishments over the past three years. Instead, Vide and the rest of the Cavaliers will carry their 7-1-2 (3-0-0) record into Clemson tonight and look to knock off another conference foe.
Clemson is coming off of a 7-1 blowout of Jacksonville. The Tigers have struggled in conference play, falling to Maryland, North Carolina and N.C. State by a combined score of 6-0.
Virginia will try to continue that trend as it looks to defend its spot atop the ACC conference and its ranking as the No. 6 team in the nation.
"Clemson is an ACC opponent," Vide said. "We need to win that game. We should bounce back fine [from the 2-2 tie against Monmouth] and come back with a win."
Following up their success so far this season against ACC rivals and featuring the versatility of a player like Vide, the Cavaliers hope to maintain their lead in the ACC and gear up for a big homestretch. Success throughout the remainder of the season could mean another top seed in the ACC Tournament, and perhaps another ACC Championship ring for Vide.
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