The No. 2 Virginia men's soccer team kicks its season back into action against the No. 23 Virginia Tech Hokies tonight in Blacksburg at 7.
Virginia should be well-rested for this contest. Rain cancelled the Cavaliers (12-2-0) scheduled match against the Longwood Lancers Tuesday, meaning Virginia has not played since its emphatic 3-0 victory over Maryland 10 days ago.
"We're not coming away from [Maryland] thinking we just won the national championship," Virginia coach George Gelnovatch said. "We came into the game with the mindset that we were going to win, especially at home.We're going to put [that] game behind us and get ready for the next one."
Virginia still has a lot to play for with two games remaining in the regular season. The Cavaliers are currently in a tight race for the ACC championship, trailing Duke by only one point in the standings.
If Virginia is to continue their winning ways, they'll have to do it against a Hokie team the Cavaliers have struggled against recently. Despite a dominating advantage in the all-time series at 31-4, Virginia has dropped its past two matches with Virginia Tech including a 2-1 overtime loss at home last year.
These struggles are magnified by the fact that Virginia has not fared well on the road this year. They are 1-2 for the season and have yet to score an opening goal.
"Our fans have been great all year, so it's a little tougher away," junior midfielder Chris Tierney said. "Still, when people are screaming against, you it sort of works in that same way."
Virginia is anchored by its senior goalie Ryan Burke, who is one shutout away from tying the career school record of 27. Burke currently holds the highest save percentage in the ACC with .824 and averages 3.5 saves per game.
Look for sophomore forward Yannick Reyering to have a big game. He has scored a goal in every road game so far this year and looks to add to his nine game-winning goals for his career.
Virginia Tech has been sliding for most of the year but appears to have gotten things back on track. After climbing into the top 10 of the rankings, the Hokies lost five of their next six matches to fall out of the top 25. However, Virginia Tech has now won their past five games, including a 5-2 dismantling of then No. 3 Clemson.
The Hokies are led by sophomore forward Patrick Nyarko. His 12 goals for the year are second most in the conference and he has had success against the Cavaliers, scoring both of Virginia Tech's goals in last year's victory over the Cavaliers.
The Commonwealth Challenge will also be at stake in this rivalry game; Virginia currently leads Virginia Tech 1.5 to .5.
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