When a team suffers a letdown in a big game, the loss either can be debilitating or a source of inspiration. In the wake of Virginia's 4-0 loss to Old Dominion Sept. 3, the Cavaliers needed to regroup and ask some tough questions about their overall play.
With the past week off, the team is more than ready to challenge itself to improve in the areas exposed against the Monarchs. Head coach Jess Wilk said she was frustrated by her team's play but is confident in its ability to take positives out of the loss.
"Clearly, it was very disappointing," Wilk said. "Old Dominion's a fantastic team -- I would expect they're going to be in the top five [nationally] -- but the bottom line is that we didn't perform the way we're capable of performing. We've taken that loss, we've learned from it. There are things we're doing a little bit differently in practice, and we're ready to move on."
In Norfolk, the Cavaliers were held without a shot for the entire game. That is partially because ODU did not allow a single penalty corner, a play which often leads to the best scoring opportunities. Such a statistic is quite surprising given Virginia's dominance and ability to find the net as demonstrated earlier in the season. Although the defense was able to hold the Monarchs scoreless over the final 29 minutes, ODU's three first-half goals sealed Virginia's fate.
"I think our biggest problem was possession," senior midfielder Katie Phillips said. "We've worked a lot harder this week on working the ball out of the backfield and [maintaining] possession."
Wilk and her staff also have focused on improving individual defense.
This weekend, the team will travel to Evanston, Ill. for two games. The opponents include perennial Big Ten force Northwestern and a Central Michigan team that struggled to an 8-11 record last year but is expected to vie for the Mid-American Conference title this year. The MAC champion gets an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.
Saturday the Cavaliers will play the Chippewas, who are 1-1 on the season. In 2001, Virginia romped CMU 7-1. Sunday the Wildcats will play host to Virginia. Northwestern is 3-1, with its only loss coming to ACC power Maryland. The last time Virginia and Northwestern met was 2002. The Cavs won 1-0 in Evanston.
On long trips such as these, a lack of harmony among team members often is exposed, leading to potential on-field issues. Yet Wilk said that is not one of the team's concerns.
"I think for the most part team chemistry has been very good," Wilk said. "I think they're gelling well. They're demanding of each other, they're competitive with each other, and they're looking to stick up for one another on the field."
Indeed, the team is itching to get back onto the field to prove itself this weekend against two tough teams.
"Everyone's excited to be playing again since we've been off all week," Phillips said. "[Everyone's] excited to get back on track this weekend."
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