Story Links
Oct. 24, 2003
by Sean Lauer
CHARLOTTESVILLE – There is no doubt that the women’s soccer team is having an outstanding year. In fact, it is very similar to last year when the team was 11-2-1 and ranked 10th in the nation going into their match-up with top-ranked UNC. This year, the team is 12-2-2 and ranked 6th in the nation going into this Sunday’s game against the nation’s number one team UNC.
Last year the Cavaliers fought hard for most of the game, but gave up a barrage of goals toward the end to fall by a score of 6-1.
“That was a tough loss,” explains midfielder Kelly Hammond. “I think that we know we can play with them and play at their level. That game [last season] proved just that. It gives us confidence this year, especially returning most of our players from last year.”
Playing at home on Sunday should be a big advantage for the team. The Cavaliers should have no problems matching the intensity of the Tar Heels.
“We just want to come up and press them as hard as we can and try to get a goal early on to put them back on their heels,” says Hammond.
Last season, the Cavaliers scored early in the contest against UNC, but were unable to hold the lead. However, the team is a year older and a year wiser now. Holding a lead at home and maintaining intensity often comes with team maturity.
“I feel very good about this team,” explains Head Coach Steve Swanson. “We have some really strong leaders. I think they’ve done a great job of handling different situations during the year.”
The Cavaliers have played many different roles on the field this year that should prepare them for the game this Sunday. Swanson contends, “We’ve gone into games as the underdog and gone into games where everyone thinks we should win. We’ve been down before and we’ve been up. I think the schedule has really prepared us for this game. We have nothing but excitement for this Sunday’s game against UNC.”
The team is definitely confident heading into this weekend. Intimidation should not be a factor with the experience and poise the team displays. Winning the game is not a long shot for the Cavaliers.
“I think there’s no doubt [we can win],” says Swanson. “We have to play together and handle their pressure. We have to be very confident with the ball and defend well. The game is going to test us in many ways, but there’s no better time for that than right now to prepare us for some of the postseason games like the ACC tournament and the NCAAs down the road.”
One thing that cannot be denied, is the magnitude of the contest with UNC.
“It’s a good opportunity for us to make a little more history for our program,” says Swanson. “I know we’ll go into the game confident, we just hope there’s a good crowd. I think it’ll be a good advertisement for women’s soccer.”
The game is scheduled for 2:00pm at Kl?ckner Stadium. Youth 18 years of age and under are admitted FREE. State Farm will provide the first 1000 fans with a pair of Virginia Thunderstix.