Riding high in the midst of a three game winning streak and a new national ranking, the No. 10 Virginia field hockey team (5-1) still has several bones to pick this season. In particular, they owe the 11th-ranked Richmond Spiders (4-0) payback.
With a game of national importance on the line, the Cavaliers look to snap a two-year losing streak against the Spiders when they travel to play in the state capital at 4 p.m. today.
The past two years' games were agonizingly close, as Virginia lost each by one point, a fact that is not lost on this year's squad.
"We've had very close games with [Richmond] the past two years," Virginia coach Jessica Wilk said. "Our games with them are always outstanding games. They are a very good team."
That "very good team" is a Spider squad that has yet to lose this year, knocking out Monmouth, Pacific, Syracuse and William & Mary. Richmond is led by junior Holly Cram, who leads the nation in points per game with a blazing average of 4.5. Even more incredible is the fact that Cram, although a junior, is playing her first year of hockey for the Spiders.
Richmond also has the statistical equivalent of a wall in junior goalkeeper Michelle Swartz, who ranks second in the country with a goals-against average of 0.50. Prior to the William & Mary game, in which Swartz gave up two scores, she had not even let in a single goal.
"Richmond has been getting better every year," said sophomore forward Mia Link, who is currently ranked eighth in the nation in both points scored and points per game. "But we are also much better than we were last year, and we are willing to do what it takes to get a win."
The willingness Link points out seems to epitomize the difference between this year's version of the Cavaliers and the past teams who couldn't produce a victory against their in-state rival.
Much of the Cavaliers' newfound energy can be attributed to a more complete team effort that has been on display this year. The offense has created a more balanced attack, with eight different Cavaliers scoring goals. Virginia also has two players -- Link and junior forward Allison Flynn -- in double digit points, a duo that is in the top 15 nationally for points per game. Virginia also can attribute the new pulse this year to the influx of freshmen players that has helped to balance the team.
"The thing that I like is that I feel a lot better about our group this year," Wilk said. "Our offense is based on playing an up-tempo passing style of hockey, and we want to get everybody involved. I feel like we are making improvements, and I expect that it is going to be a battle."
The battle theme will be one of the foremost ideas in the Cavaliers' minds as they take on the Spiders today. This is quickly becoming a rivalry of great importance for Virginia.
"They [Richmond] are one of those in-state rivalries where you really want to come out on top," Link said.
With a win over Richmond, the Cavaliers can regain the upper hand in the rivalry, as well as begin to establish themselves as one of this year's top dogs in field hockey.
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