Cavalier Women's Soccer Opens Season Friday Against Syracuse
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Game #1
Syracuse (0-0) at #7 Virginia (0-0)
August 25, 2006
5 p.m.
Klöckner Stadium
Gametracker
TODAY’S GAME
The Cavaliers open the 2006 season Friday night as they host Syracuse. This season marks the sixth consecutive season that Virginia has opened the season at home. The game is the first of a three-game homestand to open the season for the Cavaliers.
ABOUT THE CAVALIERS
Virginia opens the 2006 season today after an 18-6-1 season a year ago, in which the Cavaliers reached the quarterfinals of the NCAA Tournament and finished the season ranked No. 6 nationally. Earlier this month, the team travelled to Traverse City, Mich. to hold a week of training for the fourth time in the past six years. While on the trip, the team played a pair of exhibition matches, falling to No. 3 Notre Dame 3-0 in Traverse City, and tying Michigan State 0-0 in East Lansing.
ABOUT THE ORANGE
Friday’s game is also the season opener for Syracuse. Last year, the Orange finished the season with a 4-12-4 record. The Orange is led by Patrick Farmer, in his third season at Syracuse. A two-time National Coach of the Year at Penn State, Farmer was also the coach of the New York Power in the WUSA.
VIRGINIA-SYRACUSE SERIES
Friday’s game is the first ever meeting between the Cavaliers and the Orange. Syracuse is one of three first-time opponents on Virginia’s 2006 schedule (Seton Hall, Vermont).
IN THE RANKINGS
The Cavaliers open the season ranked No. 7 in the preseason Soccer America rankings. Virginia is also ranked No. 7 in the Soccer Buzz preseason rankings, and No.. 8 in the preseason Soccer Times preseason coaches poll and in the NSCAA preseason rankings. Soccer Buzz ranks Virginia No. 1 in the Mid-Atlantic Region, while the NSCAA ranks Virginia No. 2 regionally.
OPENING DAY
The Cavaliers kick off their 22nd season on Friday when they host Syracuse. All-time, Virginia has an 18-2-1 in season openers, winning the last six. During that stretch of six opening day wins, the Cavaliers have outscored their opponents 24-0. In home openers, Virginia has an all-time record of 19-1-1.