Along with the warm temperatures that accompany the end of April comes the ACC Tournament. The No. 6-ranked Virginia women's lacrosse team will dive right in as its fourth seed gives the Cavaliers a first-round game against fifth-seeded Boston College this afternoon in Chapel Hill, N.C.
Fortunately for the Cavaliers (13-3, 3-2 ACC), the last game they played was against the very same Eagles team and resulted in a 13-6 demolition. This does not mean, however, that Virginia is preparing any less for this game.
"We are putting Boston College on our priority list as that's our first game," Virginia coach Julie Myers said. "They are effective at taking good hard one-on-ones, especially under transition and from the top, so we have been doing lots of defensive drills for our defense to get ready for the things we expect [Boston College] to try to capitalize on."
The matchup will mark only the second time in Virginia history that the Cavaliers have played a team in back-to-back games. The Cavalier defense held tough the last time the two teams matched up, holding the Eagles (5-9, 1-4 ACC) scoreless for 29 minutes to go on an eight-goal scoring streak and open up the lead to secure the win. The No. 5 ranked Virginia defense is currently averaging 8.06 goals allowed per game.
At this point, the one thing the team feels more than ever is confident. Though the Cavaliers' No. 4 seed does mean the team will have to play a first-round game, it also means that if the Cavaliers win and move on to the next round, Virginia will face the top-seeded Maryland, which they beat 15-4 March 13. It is hard not to feel good about having a road to the finals that consists of two teams the Cavaliers have already defeated.
"I think we are really confident going into [the ACC Tournament] even though we are seeded fourth," senior defender and co-captain Jessy Morgan said. "We are really feeling good about playing [Boston College], who we beat pretty convincingly, and also Maryland, so we are all looking forward to it."
Virginia will need another stellar performance from its leading offensive stars, senior attacker Kate Breslin (who recorded four goals and two assists last time against the Eagles who leads the team in goals with 45) and sophomore attacker Blair Weymouth (who had four goals and two assists versus the Eagles and ranks second on the team with 39 goals). Currently the squad ranks 16th nationally in scoring offense, tallying 12.75 goals per game.
"We are getting our attack more and more comfortable with pressure on the ball," Myers said.
If the past is any indication of how the team will perform in this year's tournament, there is plenty of reason to be optimistic. The Cavaliers have played well in recent ACC tournaments, posting a 5-1 record the past three years, reaching the finals three consecutive times. Of those three trips to the finals, Virginia brought home the ACC title in 2004 and 2006. Overall, the Cavaliers have a 10-7 all-time record in ACC Tournament play.
Right now, though, Virginia is focusing on the next game, and the Cavaliers are excited to get the ball rolling.
Game time is set for 3:30 p.m. at Fetzer Field.
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