Virginia's loss to Wake Forest yesterday was devastating. Not so much because it broke a 9-0 winning streak, or because the play that finally won the game was so controversial. The thing that made the game so heartbreaking was the very thing that made it so intense -- just how close it was.
The Cavaliers and the Demon Deacons played a scoreless 75 minutes -- over two-thirds of the entire game -- before scoring within 31 seconds of each other. With 15 minutes left, Virginia took the lead, and again, a mere 32 seconds later, Wake Forest scored for the tie. Thus the game went into overtime.
In the end, Virginia lost the game eight minutes into overtime on a controversial goal when an offside call was made by one referee, only to be overruled by another.
Although certainly the most suspenseful game this season, this is not the first time Virginia has lost in overtime or sudden death. Traditionally, overtime has been a tough time for the Virginia team. In 2003, the Cavaliers saw four games run into overtime, only one of which they won. Their 2003 season ended when they lost a shootout to Villanova. Since the start of the 2003 season, the team has never scored during overtime, and they have only defeated one team -- William & Mary during the NCAA tournament in 2003 -- in a shootout.
The high pressure is obviously a huge factor in the way the Cavaliers play during overtime.
"I guess you have a little sense of urgency just because it's golden goal," forward Lindsay Gusick said. "But I think we stick to our game plan, be patient, move the ball. I don't think anything changes as far as our game plan."
Junior midfielder Sarah Huffman also noted the added pressure of overtime contests.
"Obviously you have to know in the back of your mind that if you give one up, then it's over," she said. "But you still need to be composed and just play your game."
This is something the Cavaliers have been mastering during regular play this season.
Their 10-1 record speaks for itself. Of their past nine wins, Virginia has shut out seven teams, scoring within the first 20 minutes in five of those games. Much of this strength is probably owed to the Cavaliers' strong midfield, a crucial section of the team.
"That area of the field is critical for us on both sides of the ball," Virginia coach Steve Swanson said. "Of course all the lines are important, but I think the midfield especially for us. It is the link between our back line and front line. It helps us transition from endline to endline. It's like the engine for our team."
The midfield section this year is a powerhouse. Jen Redmond, a freshman, is part of the U-19 team that will be competing in Thailand this year. Sophomore Shannon Foley is second on the team in assists and third in points, and junior Sarah Huffman was part of the U-19 team that won the world championships in August.
The team travels to Maryland tonight at 7, and the Cavaliers hope they will continue what has been a pretty consistent seasonal trend -- gaining a sound lead before overtime is even in sight.
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