The Virginia men's soccer team played its conference opener this past weekend, fighting to a draw with N.C. State, which finished last in the ACC standings a year ago. Virginia didn't take the game lightly, and for good reason.
Six of the nine teams in the ACC are currently ranked in the top 25 nationwide, including three in the top 10. Virginia (6-1-1, 0-0-1 ACC) is fourth, which still puts the Cavaliers behind an undefeated Wake Forest squad that currently ranks as the No. 1 team in the land.
"This is my 12th year [at Virginia] and it has never been anything but competitive in the ACC," coach George Gelnovatch said. "It's something we are used to and something that's expected -- we actually enjoy it."
The level of competition couldn't be any higher, and Virginia sees this as a good thing.
"It is exciting to play the best teams, to go up against the best competition," sophomore midfielder Neil Barlow said. "You know you'll be prepared when the tournament comes around because you will have already played against some of the best teams in the nation."
The high level of play in the ACC is nothing new; in fact, it's a tradition. Since 1984 ACC teams have won 10 national championships in men's soccer, including five by the Cavaliers, who have been to the NCAA Tournament 26 years in a row. Last year both Virginia and Wake Forest represented the ACC in soccer's version of the Final Four.
This year the conference looks tougher than ever. Virginia Tech and Boston College, which were picked to tie for next-to-last in the ACC Preseason Poll, are currently ranked 12th and 21st respectively in the national poll.
"The ACC is always a very competitive league, but this year for certain it's going to be hard," Barlow said. "It's just every team, from top to bottom -- it's always going to be a quality game that could go either way."
In each ACC season, every game is a test and every opponent is a quality one. A perpetual cycle of sorts has been created.
"Playing in a league as competitive as this just helps you get better," junior forward Yannick Reyering said. "The ACC is probably the hardest conference [in the country] -- same as it was last year and the year before too."
Conference play, ACC or otherwise, is just the lead up to what really counts: postseason play.
Gelnovatch said ACC games are the best possible preparation for strong play in the postseason because they require teams to be both deep and versatile.
Reyering agreed, noting that "having hard fought games at the beginning of the season will help you down the road to get better as a team and to win the postseason games."
Based on its long history of postseason success, it's no wonder Virginia enjoys its place in the fiercely competitive ACC.
The Cavaliers will look to Reyering, the team's leading goal-scorer, to continue the charge towards the postseason when they take on Virginia Tech in their next ACC matchup Friday at Klöckner Stadium, where they are undefeated on the year.
Read More
No. 5 men’s tennis defeats No. 15 South Carolina in season-opener
By Thomas Baxter | 4 hours agoThe Cavaliers notched a quality victory to kick off the semester.
Aly Khalifa moved on, Ron Sanchez retraced his steps, and then their paths converged
By Michael Liebermann | 5 hours agoKhalifa starred for Sanchez at Charlotte before making the wrenching decision to transfer.
Buchanan jolts arena with season-best performance
By Michael Liebermann | YesterdayRon Sanchez challenged his players to rebound better, and Buchanan answered resoundingly.
