Luckily for the Virginia men's soccer team, Wednesday night's matchup against the Eagles of American University was just a pre-season exhibition.
Welcome, to the new ACC -- the "football" ACC. After 52 years of additions, subtractions and adjustments since its conception in May 1953, the Atlantic Coast Conference has seemingly found that "just right" mix of 12 institutions, while forgoing its basketball roots to pursue a football future. By relieving the Big East of its three flagship members beginning in the summer of 2003, the ACC in 2005 now joins the nation's elite mega-conferences as an emerging football giant. The new-look ACC stretches nearly the length of the U.S.'s Atlantic seaboard, over 1,500 miles from the crystal clear waters of Miami Beach, north to the lobster-filled harbors of Boston.
Last year, I had a conversation with two freshman football players that represents what Al Groh is all about.
Virginia senior Sarah Huffman was named to the preseason Hermann Trophy watch list Wednesday. The 25-member list recognizes early candidates for the top award in women's soccer. Huffman, a 2004 All-American and the ACC Defensive Player of the Year, set a new school record last season with 14 assists while being named the VaSID State Player of the Year. Huffman will help anchor the midfield when Virginia opens its season August 26 against Rhode Island at Klöckner Stadium.
The Cavaliers ended their preseason exhibition match against the American University Eagles with a scoreless tie last night. For much of the game the Cavaliers controlled the ball, keeping it on the American side of the midfield line with constant offensive pressure.
Virginia golfer Brad Tilley advanced in the 2005 U.S. Amateur Championships Wednesday after beating Jon-Michael Socaris in match play. The senior, who shot a one-under 69 on the first day of the tournament, advanced Tuesday tied for 24th out of 210 amateur golfers.
The Virginia men's soccer team is confident heading into tonight's preseason finale against American University.
Al Groh doesn't dread the end of summer. He yearns for it. While the students who form the "Sea of Orange" will spend this week reminiscing about summer jobs and internships that have come to a close, Groh is preparing to go to work. With four seasons in Charlottesville under his belt, this is now unequivocally Groh's team.
From the get-go last year the women's soccer team was on a roll. The Cavaliers played nine games undefeated, and even after finally losing a game, still finished off the regular season with a record of 17 wins, three losses and two ties. Then, in the postseason, it all came to a screeching halt.
Wear your orange, paint your faces, prepare to scream yourselves hoarse. These are our picks for the top ten must-see Virginia home games this fall. 1.
After losing in the first round of the 2004 ACC Tournament to eventual national champion Wake Forest, the Virginia field hockey team found itself on the outside looking in at the NCAA Tournament.
The 2004 season brought much success for the Virginia men's soccer program. Coach George Gelnovatch's squad won the ACC tournament for a second consecutive year and also advanced to the NCAA tournament for the 24th straight season.
It's amazing the difference a year can make. Last August, Sarah Kirkwood and Melissa Caldwell were two freshmen putting on Virginia colors for the first time -- unfamiliar with Charlottesville, college life and the rigors of Division I volleyball. Twelve months and 30 games later, the two are sounding like seasoned pros as they prepare to anchor the 2005 Virginia lineup. "This year, the team is really coming in excited about the upcoming season," Caldwell said.
Virginia football coach Al Groh signed a five-year contract yesterday that brings his base salary to $240,000 and gives him $1.46 million in compensation for fundraising, radio and television appearances and endorsements.
There are certain sports moments you never forget. I'll never forget how three years ago, I was sitting in a room at the Doubletree Hotel on Route 29.
In a handful of days, incoming first-years will not be the only "new kids" on Grounds at the University.
Al Groh and the Virginia Cavaliers officially begin practice tomorrow afternoon at 6:15pm. The session is open to the public and will be held in the fields behind University Hall. The Cavaliers are also scheduled to practice Saturday Aug.
Former Cavalier quarterback Bryson Spinner opened training camp for the Washington Redskins on Monday throwing passes with quarterbacks Mark Brunell and Patrick Ramsey, but the signing of first round pick Jason Campbell means Spinner's stay with Washington is likely to wrap up soon. Skinner, who played for George Welsh and Al Groh in 2000 and 2001 transferred to Division IAA Richmond and finished out his college playing career there.
Maybe one day ESPN will devote as much time talking about the Major League Lacrosse (MLL) draft as they do about the NFL or NBA's.
The immortal Bobby Jones won it five times. Tiger Woods' name is inscribed on its trophy three years in a row.
