Last Sunday's upset by the Drexel men's lacrosse team surely put a bounce in the step of Stony Brook's squad during practice this week. As the Seawolves open their 2007 schedule against the defending national champions, a victory that once seemed unattainable has been shown to be possible.
"I am expecting us to bounce back and play well," Virginia coach Dom Starsia said. "I don't think anything else will be acceptable for anyone."
Indeed, as much as it would like to be the next underdog to topple the preseason No. 1 seed, Stony Brook will face a Virginia team more determined than ever to win. Neither Starsia nor the players took last weekend's home loss lightly.
"I think we have come out in practice this week with a renewed energy," junior attackman Ben Rubeor said. "That game has been a learning experience and a motivating factor."
Rubeor attributed the team's positive outlook at practice this week to Starsia's ability to keep the Drexel upset in perspective. Understanding that this team is considerably more inexperienced than last year's, Starsia has focused on analyzing the reasons for the loss, and on making sure the Cavaliers constantly improve by learning from their mistakes.
"I have been characterized as a bellower but I really try and keep my communications positive," Starsia said. "I don't see any merit to cutting them down. No one wanted to play badly -- learning what it takes to be successful is an acquired skill and with a younger team, we are still working on that."
Mentally, the team's most difficult practice of the week was Tuesday. As the Cavaliers gathered to watch film of the Drexel game, they had to relive those excruciating last 10 seconds of the game.
Last year, Virginia crushed Stony Brook 17-4. The Cavaliers recognize, however, that Stony Brook is an up-and-coming program and have learned the hard way that past performance is no guarantee. The key to winning this weekend, according to Starsia, is for everyone to take responsibility for the quality of Virginia's overall performance.
Saturday's game will not only be the first of the regular season for the Seawolves, but also the first of Rick Sowell's career as head coach at Stony Brook.
"We go into this game a little bit blind," Starsia said. "This is their first game, they graduated a couple of key guys and they have a new coach, so systematically there is not a lot that we can look at right now."
Virginia does not necessarily view this lack of knowledge as a disadvantage, however. It will force the Cavaliers to prepare for the match-up by focusing inward and refining their game.
"We need to worry about ourselves," senior goalie Kip Turner said. "We must be prepared and be intense and leave it out on the field. We were a little lacking in intensity last week and I think that, and our mental mistakes, are what lost us the game."
Read More
Volleyball holds off Boston College in tight five-set win
By Lauren Halak | 8 hours agoSenior outside hitter Elayna Duprey led the team throughout the match with 22 points and 18 kills.
Virginia annihilated 41-14 in a must-win contest versus North Carolina
By Peter Kriebel | YesterdayJust about everything that could have gone wrong for Virginia football went wrong.
No. 24 women’s soccer not to be denied in late win over Clemson
By Sam Chun | YesterdayThe Cavaliers topped Clemson 1-0 in front of a packed out Klöckner Stadium.
