Evidently the women's lacrosse team did not appreciate losing its No. 1 spot in the polls.
Playing their first game since losing their No. 1 ranking, the No. 6 Cavaliers (4-1) responded with a solid 11-5 win over the No. 4 Tar Heels Saturday in Chapel Hill. The win improves Virginia to 2-0 in conference play, having already defeated Maryland earlier in the season.
"It was a big, big win for us," senior midfielder Elizabeth Pinney said. "UNC is a fabulous team, so coming out and winning by that much definitely helped put us back on track."
Despite the solid play of the offense, led by senior Amy Appelt's three goals, it was the Cavaliers' defense that led the way against the Tar Heels. Senior defenders Ashley Dodson and Molly Urlock each had four ground balls to anchor a stifling Virginia defense that held the high-scoring North Carolina attack to only five goals.
The win also marked the continuing emergence of Virginia goalkeeper Ginger Miles. After spending her first two seasons as a backup, Miles has been impressive since taking over the starter's role this year.
"She's been doing just wonderful," Pinney said. "She's only getting better -- every game she's taking it another step up. She's playing so wonderful, and all of us defenders feel so comfortable with her being behind us."
Miles' 15 saves against North Carolina marked a new career high for the junior. Her seven consecutive saves to begin the game helped the Cavaliers jump out to a quick 4-0 lead and take over the game early.
Since the disheartening loss to Penn State March 11, the Cavaliers have recognized the importance of maintaining their focus and not letting up.
"We definitely saw that we have to come to play every game," junior attack Tyler Leachman said. "Everyone is going to want to beat us because we are the defending national champions."
The team also has elevated its play defensively. Virginia held both Richmond and North Carolina to five goals each, the team's best defensive efforts of the season.
With William & Mary coming to Charlottesville today, the Cavaliers will face another stiff defensive test. Entering tonight's game, the Tribe has averaged over 12 points per game, including a 17-point performance against Richmond March 9. Despite not being ranked, William & Mary can boast one accomplishment the Cavaliers cannot -- a victory over No. 10 Penn State. The Tribe prevailed in a 13-12 tilt in Williamsburg March 13, two days after Penn State knocked off the then-No. 1 Virginia. While the Cavaliers will keep that fact in mind, they will be more attentive to the Tribe's style of play.
"I don't think we are going to focus on how William & Mary played against Penn State, just how William & Mary plays as a whole," Pinney said. "We will try to find what their comfort level is and take them out of it."
Adding a little extra spice to the game is the rivalry between the two schools.
"There's definitely a rivalry, being from Virginia," Pinney said. "I wouldn't say they are our bigger rivals, but we're definitely not going to overlook them, and we definitely need a big win."
The Cavaliers will look to continue their winning ways and climb back up in the rankings with a win tonight. Game time is 7 p.m at the Turf Field.
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