Coming off their huge 1-0 win at No. 8 Florida State on Friday, it would be understandable if the No. 3 Virginia women's soccer team (9-0-0, 2-0 ACC) overlooked Richmond tomorrow. But that's just not their style.
"From our very first [preseason] game in Brazil, I haven't had to tell them to pick it up at all," Virginia coach Steve Swanson said. "They bring a lot of competitiveness and a winning attitude every time they step on the field."
Part of the reason is the team's experience at the back line. All four of the starting defenders are seniors. That stability at the back and Christina de Vries in goal have helped Virginia to keep six clean sheets in nine games and only allow three goals in that span.
With the number of injuries the team has sustained, defensive strength has been a necessity. With starters like forwards Ariel Thomson and Kristen Weiss sidelined because of injury, and reserve Taylor Wood expected to miss the remainder of the season with a knee injury, the entire team has had to raise its game.
Thomson's return has provided a spark for the Cavaliers. In only two games back from an early-season injury, she already has made a splash, scoring the game-winning goal against Florida State on Friday on a spectacular run, eluding several Seminole defenders on her way to the goal.
Thomson's effect on the team has not gone unnoticed by Swanson.
"She has come up big a number of times in her short career," he said. "She has been very important for us to have back. We needed her."
On Tuesday, the Cavaliers aim to improve to 4-0 against in-state competition. But Richmond is a dangerous opponent the Cavaliers cannot take lightly. The team returns eight starters from a squad that advanced to the Atlantic 10 Conference finals last season. Playing two close contests against top-10 teams this year, the Spiders came away 1-1, shutting out No.7 Tennessee at home 1-0 and falling to then-No. 8 Clemson on the road by the same score. They have not shied away from playing top competition.
"We have to prepare to play with confidence, and we have to be as dangerous as possible," Richmond coach Peter Albright said. "We have to take the game to them and respect them by playing our hardest."
Despite averaging fewer than one goal per game, Richmond has been able to keep its games close with its defense, led by goalkeeper Megan Cox, a preseason all-Atlantic 10 selection. In four games, Cox has only allowed three goals and has helped keep the Spiders in contention despite their offensive woes. Richmond has played several close games -- only one was determined by more than one goal, a 2-0 loss to Oregon State. The Cavaliers, however, have outscored their opponents 28-3.
With the return of Thomson, the Cavaliers get back a much-needed playmaker to solve Cox and the Richmond defense. Last year, the Cavaliers came back from an early 1-0 deficit with goals from midfielder Kelly Hammond and forward Lindsay Gusick to defeat the Spiders 2-1.
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