Tonight’s 7 p.m. matchup against N.C. State at Klöckner Stadium could be a crucial turning point for the Virginia men’s soccer team as the Cavaliers attempt to overcome an uncharacteristic start to their season. The Cavaliers are 2-3 and open their ACC schedule against N.C. State. The Wolfpack (1-3-1) is coming off an overtime loss to North Carolina; its only victory came last week against Virginia Military Institute. The Virginia team is hoping to use this game as an opportunity to solidify a successful attacking strategy.
“We don’t want to worry about our opponents too much; right now we just want to concentrate on ourselves,” junior midfielder Ross LaBauex said. “All I want to say [about the game] is that we’re going to win and we’ll go on from there.”
These Cavalier newcomers, including six freshmen starters, have been able to contribute to the team thus far in a significant fashion. Freshman defender Hunter Jumper has three assists on the season, and freshmen forwards Tony Tchani and Chris Agorsor have three goals each. Tchani scored the only Cavalier goal in last Saturday’s loss to VCU.
As ACC play begins, this matchup against the Wolfpack could offer the Cavaliers a chance at redemption, following a 3-1 loss to Virginia Commonwealth last weekend.
“N.C. State doesn’t really have a style,” junior midfielder Matt Mitchell said, noting the Wolfpack play more of a pick-up game. “We’re working on stopping them up high, so we can turn those into advantages for ourselves.”
Offensive firepower is an area in which the team has struggled so far. The opposition this season has recorded 11 goals to Virginia’s nine, and that lack of a scoring presence has really hurt the team thus far. Though five players account for Virginia’s nine goals on the season, and Agorsor’s speed is proving to be a big asset up front, the Cavaliers have been unable to capitalize on scoring opportunities.
“A part of you wants to feel [unlucky], but at the same time we need to take responsibility for not converting our opportunities,” LaBauex said. “Some of the other leaders and I need to step up and take charge; we’ve got a good corps of players and we’ll start putting the ball in the back of the net.”
Key veterans such as junior midfielders Jonathan Villanueva, with two assists and Neil Barlow, with one, have so far been influential in leadership roles and need to step up their field presence to make the difference for the Cavaliers. The team’s youth will no doubt allow growth during the next few seasons, but Virginia needs to adjust its play.
“Our confidence is [really] high,” Mitchell said. “We need to just have a little more composure so we can put some goals in the back of the net and stop letting in some of the easy goals we’ve let in so far.”
Defensively the Cavaliers have allowed 11 goals on the season. Sophomore goalkeeper Dan Louisignau has started all five games so far and has notched 17 saves this season.
Virginia faces a gritty N.C. State squad as evidenced by its narrow overtime loss to North Carolina, which is currently ranked No. 7 in the nation. In what should be a tough game, the offense needs to press forward and put a few goals on the scoreboard if the Cavaliers are to remain competitive.
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