In hopes of saving a winless ACC schedule and breaking a five-game losing streak at the end of its regular season, the Virginia field hockey team went into the ACC Tournament against Duke with a positive outlook and determined starting lineup. However, much like they were with the outcome of their season, the Cavaliers ended up disappointed. The 5-1 loss to the Blue Devils ended Virginia's hopes of heading to the NCAA Tournament.
The Cavaliers entered the season expecting to be a top-10 team and looked to return to the NCAA Tournament after a disappointing 2004 season. The loss to Duke ended the Cavaliers' season with an 8-10 overall record and a 0-5 finish in the ACC.
"From a result standpoint, obviously we're very disappointed," Virginia coach Jess Wilk said. "We're disappointed in the overall record and the fact that we will not be going the NCAA Tournament."
The Cavaliers started the season strong, winning five of their first eight games. However, with a tough midseason loss to Boston College, the Cavaliers' record slowly spiraled downward, and they lost seven of their final 10 games.
Junior Biffy Cornelison noted the 0-1 loss to Boston College was a turning point when the season may have come apart.
"Boston College was a really big game we needed to win because I think it would have put us in a better position in the ACC Tournament," Cornelison said. "It really would have helped us a lot if we would have won that game."
The Oct. 19 loss to American also was a defining point in the season. Virginia held the third-ranked offense scoreless until the Eagles scored with six minutes left in the game. The Cavaliers brought the game into overtime with a late goal by junior midfielder Mia Link; however, they couldn't hold on to the advantage, allowing American to score off of a deep left corner.
Wilk said the loss spoke volumes about the Cavaliers' season.
"I think it says a lot about our team and the character. That game was sort of indicative of some of the issues we've been having all year long in terms of playing well and playing enough to win but not managing to find a way to actually win the game."
After their loss to American, the Cavaliers finished their regular season by losing to Wake Forest, Richmond and Duke.
Senior forward Katie Phillips was the team's leading scorer with 11 goals, while senior midfielder Allison Flynn led the team with seven assists. Phillips, Flynn and Link combined for 22 goals and 14 assists on the season. Link led the 2004 season in goals and points but missed the first few games of this season while she played in the Junior World Cup.
Despite a disappointing record and end to the 2005 season, the Cavaliers are already looking ahead to next year.
"Now we're trying to stay positive and look towards next year to see what we need to do to do better," Cornelison said. "This season showed us what we were capable of."
Wilks shared the same positive outlook.
"I'm very excited about the core group of players coming back, and we'll look to fuse that with the new talent," she said. "I think that anything is possible."
As the Cavaliers begin to prepare for the 2006 season, there is no doubt they will look to erase the memories of a disappointing 2005 season.
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