Here is a secret most University students don’t know: The most riveting sports game this weekend may not take place at Scott Stadium. The most competitive college sports action of the weekend actually may occur at oft-overlooked Klöckner Stadium.
This weekend the Virginia men’s soccer team will host the Virginia Soccer Classic, which will feature four games — two Friday and two Sunday — among four prominent collegiate soccer programs. The competition will feature St. John’s, Southern Methodist University and Old Dominion, along with the hosting Cavaliers. The Cavaliers will take on St. John’s Saturday night at 8 in their first game of the season.
After demanding exhibition matches against West Virginia and Old Dominion, Virginia’s opener will continue to press the Cavaliers’ talent and endurance. The Red Storm is an annual contender for the Big East championship and brought home the national championship in 1996. St. John’s has an established a tradition of success, much like Virginia, and will present a tough challenge for the young Cavaliers.
The Red Storm are led by preseason All-Big East junior forward Ryan Soroka. An All-American as a freshman, Soroka has recorded 11 goals and 11 assists in two seasons at St. John’s. The Red Storm will prove difficult to beat, especially considering it will be the first regular-season game action for many Virginia players.
“Our schedule is going to be very difficult this year,” junior goalkeeper Michael Giallombardo said. “Especially considering we will open up with St. John’s.”
Virginia’s schedule will get even tougher after the opener. The Cavaliers will face Southern Methodist Sunday night in the final game of the Classic at 8. Last year the Mustangs trounced Virginia 5-1 at the Mi Cocina Classic in Dallas. With that result still in every Virginia player’s mind, Sunday’s matchup will take on even more significance.
“I am really looking forward to playing SMU,” Giallombardo said. “They beat us pretty badly last year so it’s going to be something of a revenge game.”
The Mustangs, as usual, travel to Charlottesville as one of the nation’s top teams. The Mustangs are currently ranked as high as No. 12 in preseason polls despite the fact that the team has a new coach, Tim McClements. Over the past several years SMU has established itself as one of the nation’s elite men’s soccer program, thanks in part to the efforts of senior defender Ryan Mirsky. A preseason All-Conference USA selection, Mirsky has been a leader on the Mustang defense for the past three years. He will look to contain an inexperienced but dangerous Virginia attack in Sunday’s grudge match.
Normally, Virginia would be favored in an opening-season tournament at home. This year, however, the Cavaliers will likely be looked at as underdogs, given their young team and the depth of talent St. John’s and SMU bring to the table.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if other teams overlooked us,” senior midfielder Matt Poole said. “But we’re not concerned with what other teams think of us.”
The perception of a rebuilding year in Charlottesville, however, actually may turn out to be a good thing. If the Cavaliers can fly under the radar and develop their younger players, they have a great shot of surprising the visiting teams this weekend.
“If they want to overlook us, that is fine with me,” Giallombardo said. “I welcome any team to do it.”
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