For the Virginia's men's soccer team, it all comes down to today. After a season of success, they will face one of their biggest challenges coming off one of their biggest and most surprising losses.
The No. 9 Cavaliers (14-3-0) will host the No. 12 Terrapins (12-4-1) in a game that will match two teams of similar records and equal passion for victory. Every ACC game Virginia has had this year has been physical and emotionally charged and Friday's game will be even more so.
The Cavaliers have fared extremely well at Klöckner Stadium this season, perfectly actually, and have thrived in front of the large and rowdy home crowds. A weekend game this big ensures the energy of the fans will be solidly behind the Cavaliers, and they feel confident.
"We have a lot more confidence going into it," sophomore Ian Holder said. "We've beaten teams in the past we would have struggled with. We don't have to struggle to get to the tournament. Our legs are fresh."
The question come Friday will most likely be if Virginia's heart will be as strong as its legs. After an extreme upset at the hands of unranked Virginia Tech, the Cavaliers dropped from No. 2 to No. 9 and saw, for one of the first times, how poorly they could play. With the loss to the Hokies still fresh on their minds, the Cavaliers will have to come to play against a Maryland team that has dominated the all-time series.
Overall, the Terrapins are ahead in the series 31-24-7. Also, Maryland will be out for blood since their last meeting was a 1-1 tie in the ACC Championship, in which Virginia pulled past in penalty kicks.
While Virginia has been the hot ACC team of the season, they trail Wake Forest in the conference and need a victory over Maryland as well as a Wake Forest loss to Duke to catch the number one seed heading into the championship.
While Virginia has not faced Maryland yet this season, both teams competed in the Virginia Soccer Classic, where Maryland edged out Virginia based on goal differential. Both teams beat their opponents decisively; the Terrapins crushed the Cavaliers with an 11 to five goal differential.
While it is unlikely that either team will run up the score board tonight, the need for Virginia to score first may be heightened after its loss to the Hokies. The Cavaliers allowed Virginia Tech to score first, and while they were able to tie the game, they never captured the lead. This inability to make the classic comeback, especially against a weaker team, may prove the importance of finding the net first against the Terrapins.
Inter-team competition has helped the Cavaliers all season long, and junior Hunter Freeman believes it will continue to do so. Not only does Virginia's deep bench keep its legs fresh, it makes it crucial that each player gives his best effort not only for the team, but to ensure his place in the lineup.
"There are still people who are fighting for positions on the field and these last games will make or break how they're used in the ACC tournament and the postseason," Freeman said.
The importance of this game for Virginia's morale and standing going into the ACC Tournament can not be underestimated, and the Cavaliers are prepared for the game they've waited all season for.
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