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Aug. 26, 2004
Tonight’s Game: The Virginia Cavaliers kick off the 2004 campaign Friday as they host East Carolina in the season opener for both teams.
The Cavaliers enter the season ranked No. 7 in the nation after a 12-5-4 record in 2003. Virginia participated in the NCAA Tournament for the tenth consecutive season last year, falling in penalty kicks to Villanova in the second round.
East Carolina was projected eighth in the preseason Conference USA poll of the league’s coaches. Last season, the Pirates posted a 7-7-5 overall record and a 3-4-3 league record, as their ninth place finish caused them to narrowly miss the Conference USA Tournament.
All-Time Series: Today marks the first all-time meeting between the Cavaliers and the Pirates. East Carolina is the first of three first time opponents on the Cavaliers’ 2004 schedule (Miami, South Carolina).
Cavaliers in Openers: Tonight’s game is the both the season and home opener for the Cavaliers. Over the past 19 seasons, the Cavaliers are 16-2-1 in season openers and 17-1-1 in home openers. Under Steve Swanson, Virginia is 4-0 in both season and home openers, outscoring opponents 14-0 in season openers and 12-0 in home openers.
In the Polls: Virginia opens the 2004 season ranked No. 7 by Soccer America, the fourth consecutive season in which the Cavaliers have been in the publication’s preseason top ten. The Cavaliers are No. 10, No. 13, and No. 9 in the NSCAA, Soccer Buzz, and Soccer Times preseason polls respectively.
Viva Brazil: The Cavaliers spent 10 days of the preseason training in Brazil. Virginia went 2-0-1 in three exhibitions against Brazilian club teams. Virginia opened the trip by downing FC Osasco 2-1 on goals by Noelle Keselica and Sarah Huffman. Two days later, the Cavaliers shut out Araraquara FC 2-0 as Lindsay Gusick and Ariel Thompson scored. Virginia closed out the trip with a 2-2 tie against Santos FC, as Gusick and Huffman each scored their second goal of the trip in the draw.
Hammond, Sauerbrunn Hermann Candidates: Kelly Hammond and Becky Sauerbrunn were named to the 25-players Hermann Trophy Watch List in August. The award, given annually to the nation’s top men’s and women’s soccer player, will narrow the list to a semifinal group in October. Hammond was a second-team All-American in 2003 while leading the Cavaliers in scoring with 12 goals and 30 points. Sauerbrunn, a first-team All-American in 2003, will miss the 2004 season as she competes with the U.S. U-19 National Team at the World Championships this fall.
