Cavaliers Face Quick Turnaround
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The Cavaliers have almost no time to enjoy their season-opening win over Drexel Saturday afternoon. The excellent weather provided a terrific backdrop for Virginia as the Cavaliers came out as crisp as the sunlit sky. The Wahoos jumped to a 7-0 lead after just 22 minutes and were never really threatened on the way to a 13-7 win.
For many, Sunday is a day of rest but for Dom Starsia’s squad it was a day of preparation for Monday’s game against Bryant. Faceoff is scheduled for 4 p.m.
The Bulldogs, coached by former Duke head coach Mike Pressler, are playing their first game on the Division I level after moving up from Division II. A proven winner, Pressler guided the Bulldogs to a 14-4 record last year and the first trip to the NCAA Tournament in program history.
Bryant is led by Virginia nemesis Zack Greer, a transfer from Duke and the leading goal scorer in NCAA history. Greer has tallied 206 career goals and is a preseason first-team All-American this year. In five career games against Virginia, Greer has scored 13 goals (on just 25 shots) and has never lost to the Cavaliers.
Pressler’s Duke teams were known for their physical defenses and dynamic offensive attacks.
“Bryant University (is playing) its first game in Division I,” said Virginia head coach Dom Starsia. “They’re going to bring a lot of energy out here. I … talked to the team … that I really would like to see us demonstrate even more energy than they’re going to bring out here.
“Mike Pressler is a friend and we’re happy to be playing the game but everything for us is an opportunity to get better and that’s how we’ve got to look at Monday, we’ve got to be taking a step forward.”
The first step of the season saw the Virginia offense dominate the early play against Drexel. Garrett Billings scored five goals to tie his career high and led the way as eight Cavaliers all found the back of the net.
The attack was particularly effective with eight goals and six assists from the trio of Billings, Danny Glading and highly-regarded rookie Steele Stanwick. Stanwick in particular played beyond his years. The first time he touched a ball in a college game he deftly his midfielder Brian Carroll for the first goal of the game less than two minutes in; he finished with two goals and two assists.
All three starting midfieldersCarroll, Steve Giannone and Shamel Brattoneach scored a goal, but they made just three of 22 shots.
“I wouldn’t characterize too many of the shots that we took as bad shots,” Starsia said. “Our location wasn’t great and sometimes we were stubborn shooting the ball, but I think we can get better at that.
“If we can pick it up in the midfield, we have the chance to be a dangerous offensive lacrosse team.”