When thinking of dominant college soccer programs, North Carolina might come to mind. The No. 12 Tar Heels are enjoying yet another successful season and are sitting pretty at 8-1-1 (1-1 ACC). The Virginia men’s soccer team will travel into the lion’s den, Chapel Hill, to face the Tar Heels tonight.
The matchup will be the second straight ACC road game for Virginia 5-3 (2-0 ACC), which is undefeated in ACC play.
“I’ve challenged [the players] to think of the ACC as a new season,” coach George Gelnovatch said. “UNC is another hurdle [in that season]. They’re a good team, talented and the game will be at their place, which is always a difficult place to play.”
This year has seen the return of North Carolina to national prominence after the Tar Heels suffered a disappointing 2007 campaign. The Heels have already surpassed their win total from 2007 in just 11 games. Probably the biggest factor in North Carolina’s success thus far is its team mentality on offense. Eleven Tar Heels have scored goals. Furthermore, not only do North Carolina’s players share the ball — they also make up a high-octane offense. The Heels recently dropped in eight goals in a shut-out victory against East Tennessee State Sept. 27, a total that is still the highest single-game goal tally in the NCAA this season.
Although North Carolina shares the scoring wealth, two players stand above the pack: junior forward Eddie Ababio and senior forward Brian Shriver. Each has scored seven goals this season, and Ababio leads North Carolina in total points with 18. The experienced forwards will present a challenge for Virginia, because either player is capable of taking control of a game. Freshman forward/midfielder Alex Dixon is also a dangerous presence who has scored four goals in his first 10 collegiate games. In the mold of Virginia freshman forward Chris Agorsor, Dixon is an electric and quick player who will undoubtedly be difficult for Virginia to contain.
The Cavaliers spent this week preparing for the Tar Heels and their threatening offense, freshman forward Tony Tchani said.
North Carolina is not the only team playing well as of late, however. Virginia is on a three-game winning streak and has earned big victories against N.C. State and Virginia Tech during the past two weeks. Tchani has been a key figure in Virginia’s recent success; he leads Virginia with seven goals, 16 points, and has scored four goals and added two assists in Virginia’s last three games.
Junior goalkeeper Michael Giallombardo has also had the hot hand of late. After taking over for sophomore goalkeeper Dan Louisignau, the junior keeper has allowed only one goal in his first three games. Giallombardo’s play in goal, combined with the Cavaliers’ winning streak, has given Virginia some much needed confidence heading into tonight’s game.
“Although we lost two games to begin the season, we have felt good about ourselves all year,” Gelnovatch said. “We’re finishing our chances now and we’re really starting to come together.”
Tonight’s game is likely to be a grit-it-out conference game. Both teams are playing very well and will look to take an early-game lead in order to put away the other. Whichever team comes out on top can be sure of one thing: It will have an impressive victory to add to its post-season tournament resume.
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