“Tonight wasn’t a magical effort, but it was workman-like performance.”
Virginia coach Dom Starsia is always quick to find areas in need of improvement after any victory. Last night was no different, as the Cavaliers easily overwhelmed Vermont 16-4 at Klöckner Stadium.
“I don’t think we were particularly sharp around the edges of the game,” Starsia said. “The shooting, the finishing, the opportunities — I thought we gave them opportunities on defense because we were just a half step in anticipation behind.”
Nevertheless, Virginia (8-0) was able to build an insurmountable lead against the Catamounts (2-1) going into the fourth quarter, at which point Starsia was able to unload his bench, allowing his younger players to gain game experience.
“I thought that most of the guys that got a chance to get out there kept the level of play up — that’s what we look for,” Starsia said. “I think it matters that when you work as hard as these guys do to be able to put your uniform and be able to actually get out there on a game day.”
Junior midfielder Brian Carroll led the attack for the Cavaliers, with a hat trick of goals and an assist. Freshman attack Steele Stanwick also had four points on two goals and two assists.
Right out of the gates, Virginia brought overwhelming offensive pressure with three different Cavaliers finding the back of Vermont’s net to give the Cavaliers a 3-0 lead. The close defense of the Cavaliers also was noticeable throughout the first half, as the combined efforts of junior defender Ken Clausen and his fellow close defenders forced several Vermont turnovers. The Cavaliers held the Catamounts to four goals through both good defense as well as particularly impressive play from sophomore goalie Adam Ghitelman.
“I thought Adam played very well,” Starsia said. “He’s continued to step up in almost every one of these games. This is a game where it could have been a lot uglier had he not made a couple saves at critical moments.”
As a freshman with Virginia, Ghitelman started the first 10 games of the season but was pulled in favor of then-senior goalie Bud Petit for the remainder of his freshman year.
“I got my chance to play to the best of my ability,” Ghitelman said. “I got completely better playing behind him, learning from him in practice, watching him in games, watching him in film.”
As the switch was made from a freshman to a senior goalie last year, it became apparent that a lack of confidence — rather than a lack of ability — seemed like Ghitleman’s weakness.
“Take this game tonight,” Starsia said. “In the first 10 games last year, I don’t think he had a single game like this. Last year, even though we were winning, it never felt like he was having a lot of fun. His confidence was dragging a little bit.”
Now a year older, Ghitleman’s play has seen a sharp turn around. His .589 save percentage is up from .497 last year, and he is now allowing 3.3 fewer goals per game — even after playing two of the country’s best teams, Syracuse and Cornell.
“It’s a combination of a lot of things — a little humility — and then hard work over the offseason,” Ghitelman said. “The more games I get under my belt the better.”
While Vermont may not have been Virginia’s toughest opponent this season, Ghitelman managed to put up 10 saves — tied for the third most in the games he has played this season — while playing just the first three quarters.
“I think we are seeing the benefit of the experience he had and the poise he had with being a second-year player,” Starsia said. “He’s just become a leader back there for us in a group of veterans.”
In addition to his play between the pipes, Ghitelman looked comfortable outside the cage, as he took part in Virginia’s solid 23 for 27 clearings. On more than one occasion after a save, Ghitelman was able to quickly rifle clearing passes to outlets — leading to fast breaks and quick conversions. For a team as comfortable in transition as Virginia, this flexibility from a goalie affects both sides of the scoreboard.
“His confidence continues to grow you can just see it in him,” Starsia said. “It is going to make all the difference in the world as we start to move into the month of late March and April and May.”
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