The annals of Virginia men's soccer are filled with NCAA titles and national honors, but tomorrow at Klöckner Stadium the Cavaliers hope to avoid repeating some of their most recent NCAA disappointments.
The fifth-seeded Cavs hope to advance past Creighton tomorrow at 1 p.m. and reach the NCAA Final Four for the first time since 1997. Virginia's last two seasons have ended with home defeats in the NCAA Elite Eight. The Cavaliers want to make sure that doesn't happen again this year.
"In training the past two weeks, I'm just kind of out there watching, because they're working hard," Virginia coach George Gelnovatch said. "There's just something there that hasn't been there, probably since 1997."
|
The Cavs (17-5-1) advanced to the Elite Eight with a 2-1 victory over St. John's Sunday. Playing on a drenched home pitch, Virginia fought to a 2-0 advantage in the first 26 minutes on goals by Steve Totten and Ryan Gibbs.
The Cavaliers held on despite increasingly tough physical play, allowing only a score in the 89th minute. But the victory had its price - sophomore center midfielder Kyle Martino, the Cavs' best playmaker, suffered a sprained left knee. His status is uncertain, as is that of senior defender Chad Prince, who hurt his knee in the ACC Tournament final.
"This team does have something pretty good going, if we can deal with the injuries - hopefully Martino is okay, maybe we can get Chad back - but [even] if we can stay at least where we are now," Gelnovatch said.
Creighton brings a 20-3 record into tomorrow's contest. Led by two all-Missouri Valley Conference seniors, defender Peter Henning and forward Brian Mullan, the Blue Jays are coming off a 3-0 trouncing of fourth-seeded San Diego last weekend. Mullan contributed an assist and the final goal, giving him 41 points on the year, while sophomore forward Mike Tranchilla's assist on the first goal gave him 42 points. The duo has combined for 62 percent of Creighton's goals.
Following a midseason reorganization, the Virginia defense, led by sophomore goalkeeper David Comfort, has improved greatly down the playoff stretch and should be up to the task against the Jays.
"Playing four in the back, we're definitely better there," Gelnovatch said. "Our goalkeeping has been better - the past month has been excellent. Those two things alone add up to less goals against. I think we've come up with something that's working and hopefully we'll keep it going."
The two teams have met once before, drawing 3-3 in 1991. This year, they have one opponent in common, Indiana. The Cavaliers fell 2-1 on Sept. 10, five days before the Blue Jays won 4-1 over the Hoosiers.
Gibbs, a sophomore forward, said the Cavs' practices have been particularly intense as they prepare for the final games separating them from their sixth national championship - their first since 1994.
"We're not taking anything for granted, not assuming the other person is going to get the ball or assuming the ball's going to bounce your way. [It's about] just going after it and finishing your chances, because who knows when you're going to get another one"
Read More
Virginia gets second Notre Dame rematch in a dynamic ACC Tournament bout Friday
By Michael Liebermann | 11 hours agoThe Cavaliers will get a shot at redemption against a vaunted ACC foe, in a game with serious postseason seeding implications.
Mel Josephson and women’s lacrosse prepare to take center stage
By Xander Tilock | YesterdayJosephson's ability to perform throughout a game's biggest moments is crucial for the Cavaliers.
Virginia schools can pay players through NIL, but the University should proceed with caution
By Emory Huffman | 2 days agoGiven the unique academic and athletic opportunities Virginia is able to offer its athletes, it is not shocking that Virginia has been resistant to extravagant, NIL-induced changes.
