Rebuilding year. It’s one of those taboo terms college coaches avoid like the plague. After a disappointing 12-8-2 season in 2007 that included a 1-5-2 record in ACC play, however, the Cavaliers’ 2008 season has been all but labeled as such. The ACC announced earlier this month that Virginia was picked to finish sixth in the ACC out of nine teams, a ranking determined by the ACC’s nine head coaches. For a team accustomed to success, the prediction seems surprising. Although the preseason poll could ultimately mean nothing, it was not determined without reason. Virginia was picked to finish sixth in the league in part because of its lackluster 2007 campaign, but also because the Cavaliers lost a tremendous number of veteran players. Without that kind of experienced firepower, the critics figure Virginia will struggle to find its way and break in its new players. Virginia’s players, however, have a different idea.
“The first years and transfers all look great,” junior goalkeeper Michael Giallombardo said. “They’re all fitting in really nicely and starting to come together as a group.”
This year Virginia will sport 12 new players — nine freshmen and three transfers. Freshman forward Chris Agorsor, of Severn, Md., looks to lead the group of newcomers. Agorsor, a creative offensive presence, was named the 2008 Gatorade and National Soccer Coaches Association of America National High School Player following his final season at McDonough, a known high school soccer powerhouse. Little has been said of Agorsor’s progress thus far, but he has logged considerable minutes in each of Virginia’s preseason contests. Freshman forward Brian Ownby, a former Virginia State Player of the Year from Glenn Allen, has also drawn rave reviews and has already made a great impact in the preseason. In Saturday’s 3-0 exhibition win against Old Dominion, Ownby scored 2 goals and assisted on the third.
In the midfield, freshman Tony Tchani is likely to be a bright star for years to come. Tchani connected beautifully with Ownby on an early goal in Saturday’s win, and just over a minute later, the pair combined again on assists for a Virginia goal scored by junior Ross LaBaeux.
Tchani will be joined this year by freshmen midfielders Sean Hiller and Christian McLaughlin. Junior transfers Matt Weiler (Kentucky) and Jordan Evans (Richmond) will add experience to an otherwise young group.
Meanwhile, sophomore transfer Mike Volk (Rutgers) will play defense, looking to step in and fill one of four gaps left by departed veterans. Volk’s experience will be a great asset for Virginia’s mostly inexperienced back line. Other defensive newcomers include freshmen Howard Turk, Shawn Barry and Hunter Jumper. Also joining the defense ranks is sophomore Robby Rogers, who sat out last season but returns to the team this year.
“Any of the freshmen could step in and contribute immediately,” senior midfielder Matt Poole said. “They are making good progress and they are all really cool guys.”
Although several freshmen have made great impressions thus far, it is unclear which ones will make the greatest impacts once the season begins. Giallombardo, when asked about the new players, declined to evaluate the progress of the newest Cavaliers, reflecting the team’s commitment to its growth as a whole.
“None of the freshmen have really stood out over the others,” Giallombardo said. “We are a team and we think as a team; therefore, none of the freshmen have really separated themselves from the others because they are committed to the team.”
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