Cavaliers to Host In-State Rivals William & Mary and James Madison
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Sept. 11, 2007
Charlottesville – Following a fall weekend in New England that saw the Virginia Cavaliers notch two wins against a pair of out-of-region opponents, the No. 14/17 Hoos return home to host two South Region foes in William & Mary and No. 7/8 James Madison. Virginia will welcome the Tribe on Friday, Sept. 14 at 7 p.m. before hosting James Madison on Sunday, Sept. 16. The game against the Dukes is part of the Virginia Fall Sports Festival and will take place at 2:00. The women’s soccer team will host Arizona at 1:00 before the men’s soccer team hosts St. John’s at 5 p.m.
Virginia has allowed only one goal in the last 166 minutes and sports a GAA of 2.00. The Cavaliers have platooned their keepers in each of the five games and Amy Desjadon and Devon Burnley have combined for 17 saves. At the other end of the pitch, second-year Traci Ragukas has scored five goals this season and now has 20 for her career. All-American Inge Kaars Sijpesteijn has two goals and two assists in 2007 and ranks second on the team in scoring.
The rivalry between the Tribe and the Cavaliers is one of the oldest in the region; the two schools first met in 1976 in Charlottesville (tie, 1-1) and the series record now favors Virginia at 20-14-2 following last year’s 3-1 victory for the Cavaliers in Charlottesville. Five of the six games have been decided by a goal, with the two teams deadlocked 3-3 in those contests.
Virginia and James Madison also have a long history after meeting for the first time in 1975 at the Blue Ridge Tournament. The Cavaliers won that contest 2-0 and have forged a 27-11-1 record against the Dukes over the 22 years. Virginia has won the last three contests, including last year’s 3-2 win in extra time in Harrisonburg. Inge Kaars Sijpesteijn converted a stroke in extra time after JMU tied the game late.
Parking for both contests is available in the Cage Lot at University Hall. Fans should be aware that due to a concert at the John Paul Jones Arena on Sunday, certain bays of parking at University Hall will not be available to patrons for the athletics contests and should plan appropriately.