The No. 3 Virginia women's field hockey team will take on its second top-five opponent Saturday as it hosts No. 2 North Carolina at the University Hall Turf Field.
Virginia (14-1, 1-1 ACC) defeated then-No. 4 Wake Forest last weekend 3-2 in overtime and manhandled Longwood on Tuesday, 7-0. Sophomore midfielder Paige Selenski recorded her second career hat trick against the Lancers, and senior forward Traci Ragukas added two scores.
"Coming from behind against Wake was really good preparation for us," Ragukas said. "We were really able to step it up and show that we don't give up."
The undefeated Tar Heels (13-0, 3-0 ACC) pose more of a threat than Longwood, having posted 10 shutouts and allowing only three goals this season. North Carolina is coming off a 2-1 win against No. 14 Duke - its closest margin of victory all season. Tuesday, senior goalkeeper Brianna O'Donnell was named ACC Player of the Week for her performances against Duke and Boston College, in which she recorded nine saves while only allowing one goal. O'Donnell has played the last nine games for the Tar Heels after starting goalkeeper, junior Jackie Kintzer, suffered an injury.
Kintzer was the starting goalkeeper for the 2009 Junior World Cup team this past summer, and the Tar Heels - like the Cavaliers - have several other players with international experience. Joining Kintzer on the United States team were freshman midfielder Kelsey Kolojejchick and junior midfielder Katelyn Falgowski. Kolojejchick and Falgowski have heavily contributed to the Tar Heels' success thus far, totaling a combined 19 goals and 25 assists.
With O'Donnell in the opposite net, the Cavaliers will have to make the most of their opportunities, as the Tar Heels lead the nation with a 0.23 goals against average.
"Playing big ACC teams like Wake, Maryland or UNC, you have to have a lot in your pocket to beat them," coach Michele Madison said.
Virginia has struggled this season converting on short corners. Against Longwood, the Cavaliers were able to convert only one of 11 penalty corners.
"We need to really prepare, with our corners, attack and just make them give the ball up in the back," sophomore midfielder Michelle Vittese said.
Such improvements could bolster an already impressive Virginia squad. The Cavaliers hold the advantage of playing at home - where the team is undefeated this season - and have outscored opponents by wide margins. Sophomore midfielder Paige Selenski, who is tied for the ACC scoring lead with 19 goals, heads Virginia's potent offense. Like the Tar Heels, Virginia boasts a talented defense as well, having recorded nine shutouts thus far.
With a meager 2-10 record in their last 12 games against North Carolina, the high-powered Cavaliers will look to reverse their fortunes Saturday.
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