Looking for some of the nation’s best men’s soccer action? Look no further than this week’s ACC Tournament, which will feature the No. 1 team in the nation, two other ranked teams and a host of solid programs.
The Virginia men’s soccer team (9-7-1, 4-4 ACC) will head to Cary, N.C. tomorrow to begin play in a conference tournament in which Virginia earned the fourth seed and will face the conference’s fifth seed, Duke (10-6-2, 3-3-2 ACC) tomorrow night at 8 in quarterfinals action. The Cavaliers will try to resurrect their offense in an effort to advance to the conference semifinals.
“I feel like it’s a new season,” coach George Gelnovatch said. “We haven’t played at full strength since Boston College, but we will get [junior forward Matt] Mitchell back and [freshman forward Brian] Ownby back. We played the No. 1 and No. 4 team in the country and played well against them and on a different day could have won.”
Virginia heads into the ACC Tournament riding a bit of a rough streak. The Cavaliers have lost their last two games, although both losses came at the hands very strong teams in No. 1 Wake Forest and then-No. 4 Maryland. Virginia’s offense, though, has really suffered. The Cavaliers have only managed to put up two goals in their last five conference games.
The problem has not been creating scoring opportunities, but finishing those chances. In several losses this season, Virginia has significantly out-shot its opponent yet failed to come away with a win. For example, in Virginia’s recent home loss to Maryland the Cavaliers took nine shots compared to three Terrapin attempts and controlled the ball for most of the game. Virginia only managed to connect for one goal while Maryland scored two. If Virginia is to move on in the ACC Tournament, it will need to find a way to capitalize those opportunities; otherwise, the Cavaliers may find themselves leaving North Carolina early.
Duke, on the other hand, has enjoyed considerable success this season even though it only earned the fifth seed. As late as a week ago, Duke held the No. 25 spot in the national rankings and had posted several quality wins. The Blue Devils knocked off Boston College, Virginia and played Wake Forest to a scoreless tie, which remains the only blemish on Wake Forest’s otherwise immaculate record.
In their last meeting, the Blue Devils defeated the Cavaliers 1-0 in overtime in Durham, N.C. earning the win on a penalty kick after Virginia fouled a Blue Devil player inside the box. Virginia’s loss to Duke provides more evidence of the Cavalier offense’s inefficiency. Virginia out-shot Duke 11 to eight throughout the contest and also held a six to four edge in corner kicks; however, Virginia could not come up with a goal in an important road game.
Duke is led by senior forward Mike Grella, who put home the winning goal against Virginia. Grella has posted 13 goals and seven assists on the season to lead the Blue Devils in goals, assists and points (33). In comparison, no Virginia player has more than 21 points. In addition to Grella, the Blue Devils also sport an outstanding senior goalkeeper, Brendan Fitzgerald, who has recorded a 0.80 goals against average and a 0.806 save percentage. Fitzgerald’s ability will make it exceedingly difficult for the Cavaliers to overcome their offensive woes. Yet Virginia remains hopeful.
“We have to get ready for the ACC Tournament now,” junior midfielder Ross LaBauex said. “We are all 0-0 now, everything starts over.”
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