The Cavalier women's soccer team experienced another weekend of mixed feelings as it once against walked away from a two-game tournament with a 1-0-1 record. The Virginia Nike Soccer Classic - featuring West Virginia, Dartmouth and Seton Hall in addition to Virginia - consisted of two games Friday and two games Sunday in Charlottesville. After playing to a 1-1 tie in double overtime against the Mountaineers in their tournament-opener, the Cavaliers routed Seton Hall 4-0 Sunday.
"We had a good start - finished some chances," Virginia coach Steve Swanson said. "It always gives you confidence when you can get a couple goals ... I thought the goals were critical in the first half."
It was junior forward Meghan Lenczyk who gave the orange and blue the quick lead in Sunday's game against the Pirates by scoring on assists from senior forward Caitlin Miskel and sophomore defender Amanda Fancher in the 11th and 19th minutes, respectively. The Virginia defense, however, was the real factor in the blowout. After giving up three goals in as many games prior to Sunday's match, the Cavalier backline held the Pirates to just two shots.
"I think it's finally clicking with us," sophomore goalkeeper Chantel Jones said. "I think we are finally playing together and I think we understand each other a little more."
Coming into the season, the biggest question mark for Virginia was its untested defense. Because the Cavaliers' 2008 team boasted a senior-dominated backline that drew much of its strength from communication built after four years of playing together, Swanson stressed that it would take time for this year's defensive corps to develop such chemistry.
"We are getting better there," Swanson said. "We still have a lot to work on there. The nice thing now is that we have a little bit of time to train and prepare."
Now that the Cavaliers are finished with tournament play for the season, Swanson hopes that the squad can dedicate more time to "some much needed training."
"At this point, we almost have it set," Jones said. "With our team, I think it's really going to depend on who we are playing. Because we are so deep, we can play anyone and be comfortable with them."
With this weekend's performance, Virginia improved its record to 4-1-2.
In big games this season, the Cavaliers have come up short, however. They are 0-1-1 against top-25 opponents, although both games have come against higher ranked teams.
The No. 15 Mountaineers found themselves on the ropes late in the game Friday night against Virginia after junior midfielder Sinead Farrelly scored the first goal of the game in the 65th minute. West Virginia hit two posts on back-to-back shots on goal, though, and was finally able to sneak the ball into the back of the net in the 85th minute.
"We were solid for 85 minutes," Jones said. "Then we let down a little bit, and they capitalized on it."
Jones made six saves throughout the night, playing the entire game.
"I really wanted that shutout," she said. "Soccer is very unique. You can control the whole game and lose. It depends on who finishes."
Virginia will enjoy a full week off before playing American on Sunday. For the third game in a row, the Cavaliers will enjoy home field advantage.
"If you include the exhibitions, we have played some good caliber opponents," Swanson said. "We'd like to be a little better in terms of results. To go through the schedule we've played so far and to only have one blemish is a good sign"
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