It is do-or-die for the No. 6 Virginia women's lacrosse team. As the Cavaliers make the long trip to Chestnut Hill, Mass. to face No. 36 Boston College, the only word that will be on their minds has six letters and is something the Cavaliers (12-3, 2-2 ACC) have experienced much of this season: winning.
After coming off a 12-6 victory against George Mason last week, Virginia will take the field against Boston College (5-8, 1-3 ACC) with momentum that will only increase exponentially if the Cavaliers can take down the Eagles. This is not only the last game of the regular season but also a significant in-conference game for the Cavaliers.
"I think we're confident going into the game, but we do need to come out with a win," said junior goalkeeper Kendall McBrearty, who has an 8.1 goals-against average.
The team should be confident as the Cavaliers lead the all-time series against the Eagles with a record of 4-0. The last time the two faced off Virginia destroyed Boston College, winning 18-3 last year.
This game is an important matchupbecause of the current ACC standings. Virginia is in fourth place and Boston College is in fifth, while North Carolina (13-2, 3-1 ACC) and Duke (11-2, 3-1 ACC) still wait to fight it out to see who will take the second and third seeds.
Because Virginia lost to both Duke and North Carolina, even if the Cavaliers beat the Eagles and have a tied conference record with either the Tar Heels or Blue Devils, they will not move up in seed. Therefore, Virginia is set on playing Boston College in the first round of the ACC Tournament. This game is a preview for both teams, allowing each side to view the other's strengths and weaknesses to prepare further for the first-round tournament matchup.
"It's important to play well against them so we can go into the game in the ACC Tournament with a win under our belts and with confidence," McBrearty said.
To defeat the Eagles, though, Virginia must play its A-game, making sure there are no mental errors and being patient with each possession.
"I think a big thing is just coming out in the first half and playing to our best ability" said sophomore attacker Blair Weymouth, who currently ranks second on the team in goals (35) and third in assists (19). "I think that's been a huge thing -- coming out strong, executing, getting ground balls, getting draws, playing together as a team. That will definitely be a big part of beating Boston College right off the bat."
Most importantly, the Cavaliers must approach this game with awareness, yet with a vicious intensity to spark fear in the Eagles and make them worry about playing Virginia again in the first round of the ACC Tournament. Game time is set for 1 p.m. Saturday.
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