The Cavaliers will not get any chance to recover from a tough weekend when they play the top-ranked Maryland Terrapins tonight. After a strong performance against the 18th-ranked Richmond Spiders on Wednesday, the Cavaliers will carry some momentum into the game against Maryland tonight.
"They're learning that the game goes for 70 minutes and you have to stay on your path and stick to your game plan for the entire time," Virginia coach Michele Madison said.
The Cavaliers will have to play extremely well for all 70 minutes tonight if they hope to pull the upset and defeat Maryland. On Saturday, Maryland defeated second-ranked Wake Forest to solidify their hold on the number one spot. The Terrapins have been ranked first the whole year and are riding a 19-game winning streak dating back to last year. The win against Wake Forest improved the Terrapins to 10-0 on the year, and 2-0 in the ACC. A win against Maryland would be huge for Virginia in terms of confidence and positioning in the standings of the ACC.
Maryland is "just at the top of their game," Madison said. "They pass the ball well and they stretch the field out. They're playing at a level we are aspiring to be at."
A win against Maryland would be a step in the right direction toward making Virginia an elite program every year.
In the game against Richmond, one of Virginia's strengths was turned against them. The Cavaliers had been dominant in short corners so far this year, but against the Spiders, Virginia only got four short corners and gave up eight. However, Virginia did convert one of their short corners for a goal. Maryland, though, has done an incredible job so far this season with short corners. Maryland has attempted 83 short corners so far this season and held opponents to only 23. Against Maryland, Virginia will have to apply lots of pressure to be competitive. If the Cavaliers can put pressure on the Maryland defense and get awarded enough short corners, it could go a long way toward a victory.
The Virginia defense will have their hands full against Maryland tonight. Maryland has a balanced attack, with four players who have at least 13 points on the season. The Terrapins are led by junior Janneke van Leeuwen. Van Leeuwen has seven goals and seven assists through 10 games this year. Van Leeuwen leads Maryland with three game-winning goals.
Virginia will need another strong game from its core of seniors to hatch an upset. After her three-goal game against Richmond, O'Bannon joins seniors Biffy Cornelison and Mia Link as a top attacker on the team. The Cavaliers will need a strong attack unless goalie Kat Blair steps up after a poor game against Richmond. Blair had only one save and three goals allowed against Richmond. Against a top-ranked team like Maryland, everyone will have to be on top of their game if Virginia wants to defend their home turf with a win tonight.
Read More
After another winning season, where does Virginia go from here?
By Emory Huffman , Ben McNiff , Victoria Blankenship and Cierra Lyles | 2 days agoThe 2025 season saw Virginia softball repeat much of its 2024 season.
Virginia baseball’s breakup is painful, in more ways than one
By Xander Tilock | 4 days agoAfter 22 years, Brian O'Connor is leaving Virginia baseball.
New era, same fight: Virginia rowing finishes 10th at NCAAs
By Eleanor Lynch | 5 days agoThe Cavaliers made significant strides in 2025.
