Cavaliers Open 2011 Campaign with Exhibition vs. ETSU
Story Links
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The Virginia men’s soccer team continues its progress toward the 2011 regular season opener on Sunday when it plays host to East Tennessee State in a 5 p.m. exhibition match at Klöckner Stadium. The contest is part of a doubleheader with the UVa women’s team, which will play George Mason at 7 p.m.
Tickets for the exhibition are $6 for reserved seats, $4 for general admission and $2 for youth, seniors and faculty/staff. One ticket is good for both matches.
Led by 16th-year head coach George Gelnovatch, Virginia opened practice on Wednesday. Ranked 22nd in the preseason NSCAA poll, the Cavaliers also have an exhibition scheduled next Friday (Aug. 19) against George Mason. UVa kicks off its regular season on Aug. 26 against West Virginia in Germantown, Md.
Virginia returns eight starters and 18 letterwinners from the 2010 squad, which finished with an 11-6-3 record, including a 2-4-2 mark in the ACC. UVa reached the NCAA tournament for the 30th straight year, the longest active streak in the nation.
2010 First-Team All-ACC honoree Brian Ownby highlights the returning group of players, while Brian Span was named to the 2010 ACC All-Freshman Team. The Cavaliers’ leading scorer in 2010, forward Will Bates (8-4-20), also is back in the mix. UVa’s returning core features five players who started in the 2009 national championship game.
Virginia boasts a large and talented group of 12 freshmen this season – many of whom are expected to contribute and push for playing time immediately. This marks one of the largest freshman classes in the Gelnovatch coaching era, and it also features quality players at every position on the field.
ETSU will be playing its first and only exhibition of the 2011 season. The Bucs open the regular season Aug. 27 at home against Presbyterian. ETSU is the reigning Atlantic Sun Conference champion; the Bucs dropped a 3-2 result at College of Charleston in the first round of the 2010 NCAA Tournament. ETSU was 15-6 last season, including a 7-2 mark in A-Sun play.
Season tickets currently are on sale for Virginia men’s and women’s soccer. Fans can order 2011 season tickets online, in person or by telephone. To purchase tickets online, visit VirginiaSports.com. In-person sales can be made at the Virginia Athletics Ticket Office in Bryant Hall at Scott Stadium on weekdays between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Telephone purchases can be made by calling 1-800-542-UVA1 (8821) or locally at 434-924-UVA1 (8821).
The 2011 All-Soccer Reserved Season Pass (reserved seats for all home men’s and women’s games) is $90. Reserved Season Passes for Men’s Soccer or Women’s Soccer only are $50. General Admission All-Soccer Season Passes are also available for adults ($40), Youth/Senior ($30) and Faculty/Staff ($30).
Packages and single game tickets are also on sale. The Friday Night Lights packages, featuring a general admission ticket to the men’s soccer games vs. Charlotte, North Carolina and Maryland, is available for $15. The ACC Rivalry package is available for women’s games, featuring Maryland, Florida State and Virginia Tech. Single game tickets are available for all home games starting at $7 for adult general admission and $5 for youth, senior and faculty/staff.