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CHARLOTTESVILLE, VAThe 5-0 Cavaliers look to keep their early-season momentum going on noon Saturday against Princeton in a game that is likely to be a stark contrast to several other games this season, most prominently last week’s thrilling 14-13 overtime win over Syracuse.
Whereas Virginia and Syracuse like to push the ball up and down the field, Princeton favors a more deliberate approach that relies on sticky defense and good goaltending.
“They have a deliberate defense and very good goalie in Alex Hewit,” said attackman Ben Rubeor. “We have to shoot well and try to take away the tempo. If we can, it will be an interesting and fun match-up.”
Last year the Tigers led the nation in defense, allowing an average of 6.21 goals per game. The Cavalier offense has operated at a high level this season and is averging nearly 16 goals per game.
“The contrast in styles (between Syracuse and Princeton) is marked,” said head coach Dom Starsia. “For us, we need to be able to win two different ways if that is what is required.”
With three consecutive wins over the Tigers, it is apparent the team has been up to the task. Since Starsia took over the Virginia program in 1993, the Cavaliers have averaged 9.3 goals per game against Princeton, compared to 14.1 vs. Syracuse in the same period.
In an odd twist, however, it has been the Cavaliers that have favored the low-scoring contests.
“I talked to the team yesterday about the fact that we are 10-8 with Princeton since I’ve been here, and we’ve been more successful in the lower scoring games,” Starsia said. “(That) is probably a little bit of a surprise, but my point to the team was, don’t be afraid of a low-scoring game.”
Fans across the nation will be able to watch the game live in the first regular-season broadcast of a men’s lacrosse game.
“I think it is a further indication that people are noticing men’s lacrosse,” said Starsia in noting the importance to his team. “These media outlets, like ESPN, don’t do these things for charity. They do it because they think people are going to want to watch it. For us to be the first one on ESPN is certainly a meaningful moment for our program and for our sport in general and I think it is an indication that the game is spreading.”