The best defense is a good offense.
While the cliché may hold true for some, the Virginia men's soccer team would rather rely on defenders and midfieldsmen junior Matt Poole, senior Zola Short, senior Matt Williams, sophomore Neil Barlow and sophomore goalkeeper Mike Giallombardo than put all its eggs in the offensive basket.
Including an exhibition game, the Cavalier back line has already posted six shut outs this season and has held the opposition to a cumulative goals scored average of just 0.95. Moreover, while Virginia averages nearly 16 shots on goal per game, its opponents have been held to just a little over 7.5.
"We are doing alright, but maybe we want to do a little better -- not let in any goals next game," Poole said. "But it's looking good and it is getting better."
Indeed, the defense has been evolving steadily this season. Although Poole, Short and Williams are all veteran defenders, the loss of Ryan Burke in the goal changed this year's strategy.
Giallombardo's great feet, as Poole refers to them, have allowed the Cavaliers to play out of the back more, thus providing an extra option for the back line to turn to when under pressure.
"We are all completely confident in Mike, and I think that he adds to our game," Short said. "We feel more comfortable using him as an outlet when we need to pass back than we did last year. That said, Burke was a great keeper and Mike is just as good."
In early September, after not having allowed a single goal in their first three games, the Cavaliers were humbled after being handed a 5-1 loss by Southern Methodist University. Virginia suffered from a lack of organization, especially while defending set pieces, and returned from Dallas intent on revamping its defensive strategy.
For starters, Short replaced freshman T.J. Cyrus at the center back position, while Barlow fell back from the midfield to become an outside defender.
"Zola is a fourth-year guy stepping up," Virginia coach George Gelnovatch said. "He played the position a bit in the spring but then was injured. He's looking good though, and the change has made the whole defense more organized."
The back four have also focused on how they mark their men as well as their field position.
"Since we changed things, it has just clicked and things have been working well for us," Short said. "You know we changed our approach a little, decided to make an effort to defend more honestly and not use offsides as a defensive tactic."
Along with Zola, Poole has helped steer the defense toward success. Dropping back after playing his first season with the Cavaliers at midfield, Zola describes Poole as a leader and a workhorse. Poole has proven a difficult defender for the opposing offense, and he says remaining calm and composed on the field is just his style of play.
"Poole is not taking as many chances on the ball this season," Gelnovtach said. "Last year he tried to do too much sometimes, but we talked about that, and he's made the necessary adjustments."
One additional ingredient in the Virginia defensive success is the rapport among Zola, Poole, Williams and Barlow.
"We have known each other for a long time," Zola said. "I have been playing with Poole and Neil and Jeremy Barlow since we were 13 -- or something like that -- and Poole and I came in with Williams. I think it has been going real well so far this season"
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