Life in the Atlantic Coast Conference - which produced 2010 national champion Maryland, 2009 runner-up North Carolina, and this year has had four teams ranked in the top 10 of national polls almost all season - is far from easy. The No. 8 Virginia women's lacrosse team (5-4, 0-3 ACC) has learned that lesson the hard way so far this season, but now the team has reached an easier stretch in its schedule which could provide a big boost in the win column.
Virginia's game against Old Dominion (1-5) tonight marks just its third against an unranked opponent all season. The Cavaliers managed a 2-2 record during their recent stretch of four consecutive games against top-20 teams, and they now have a chance to pick up much needed wins against four weaker opponents during a busy eight-day span.
When the season began, coach Julie Myers believed her team would round into form as it reached this juncture of the schedule, but only sustained on-field success truly can validate Myers's early-season hunch.
"This is a team that I think will continue to grow, in large part because they work so hard," Myers said. "They're willing to do whatever, and they're a group of talented people."
Following tonight's road tilt against the Lady Monarchs, Virginia travels north to face Boston College Saturday and Harvard Sunday. The Cavaliers then return to Charlottesville Wednesday for an April 6 game against rival Virginia Tech. Opening that stretch with a win against Old Dominion certainly should help the team put the pain from its previous game - an 11-8 home loss against Duke this past Saturday - firmly behind it and gain momentum for its easier upcoming schedule.
"We have to just deal with [the loss] and move on with it," junior attacker Josie Owen said. "We have to correct the silly mistakes that have hurt us, such as the turnovers."
Virginia hopes to establish an early offensive rhythm against the Monarchs after the Blue Devils largely held its attack in check by forcing 14 turnovers and outshooting Virginia 24-17. At least on paper, the Cavaliers boast a sizeable advantage against Old Dominion in offensive depth.
Owen, one of four Virginia attackers with a goal in every game this season, has tallied 20 goals and 11 assists, both second-best on the team. Junior attacker Charlie Finnigan and junior midfielder Julie Gardner lead the Cavaliers with 27 goals and 14 assists, respectively, and Gardner stands one goal shy of giving the Cavaliers a quartet of 20-goal scorers. In contrast, Old Dominion junior midfielder Lisa Bernardini has scored a team-leading 18 goals but is the only Monarch with more than seven goals.
Saturday's game against Boston College takes on added significance as the Cavaliers try to secure their first ACC win of the year. The outcome also would determine conference tournament seeding between the two teams if they hold identical ACC records at the end of the regular season.
"We're inches away from being in one of those top spots [in the conference]," Myers said. "I don't think there's a whole lot that separates Virginia from Duke or North Carolina."
Virginia players expressed similar optimistic sentiments as the team approaches the later stages of the regular season.
"I am nothing but confident," senior defender Liz Downs said. "I think these big games we've had this season ... have proven that we can beat any team in the ACC. It's frustrating because I think we should have [won] some of them earlier on, but I'm really excited to meet them again later on [in the postseason]."
Tonight's opening draw at Old Dominion is scheduled for 7 p.m.
Read More
With 10 games left in the regular season, Virginia baseball must be near-perfect
By Emory Huffman , Xander Tilock and Ryan Weiner | 16 hours agoVirginia has reached the witching hour.
Live tracker: the men’s basketball offseason
By Michael Liebermann , Emory Huffman and Xander Tilock | YesterdayA frenetic offseason likely awaits.
For Virginia softball, the map to victory is clear — it’s also on the wall
By Cierra Lyles | YesterdayA team tradition inspires a culture of success.
