So, maybe Saturday’s 52-7 drubbing wasn’t the most fun football game you ever watched. But things could have been worse. The team showed up at the right stadium, at least, which is more than I can say about the two parachute jumpers who landed on the field in Durham before Duke hosted James Madison. You see, it’s normal for parachute jumpers to land on a field before a game to deliver a game ball. It’s not normal for them to land at the wrong place. The folks at North Carolina — eight miles away in Chapel Hill — must have been surprised to hear their game ball landed at that other stadium on Tobacco Road, in an event that’s more laughable than the 32 rushing yards Virginia mustered against USC.
But I’m not here to rag on the Cavaliers. I don’t think the game can be used as a barometer for measuring how good Virginia can be this year. The Cavaliers lost to the best team in the country, as far as I’m concerned. The Trojans have a ridiculously loaded offense and the most intimidating and talented defense on any college campus this year. I wouldn’t be surprised if they played the Miami Dolphins to a close game.
Anyway, it’s time to move on. That game was in August, which was so long ago already. Let’s take a look at the great sports schedule September has to offer. As I prepared for this column, I didn’t realize how loaded the September 12 to 14 weekend is, but Virginia sports fans definitely need to clear their calendars. The rest of the month also has a few gems, so here is a short list of games to go to this month and why you ought to take the time to see them:
Field Hockey vs. Old Dominion, Sept. 7, U-Hall Turf Field
After having been defeated 3-1 at then-No. 6 Old Dominion early last season, the Cavaliers rattled off four consecutive victories en route to a 10-8 regular-season record. Virginia started this season ranked No. 11 in the country and won its first two games by a combined score of 9-1. The Cavaliers should be fired up to continue their hot start and avenge last season’s loss.
Why you should go: Old Dominion started the 2008 season ranked No. 8 but lost its first two games to No. 6 Penn State and No. 18 Syracuse. The Monarchs will want to have some momentum before their home opener, so this should be a hard-fought game.
The Marriott Jefferson Cup, Sept. 12 to 13, Memorial Gymnasium
The air will be electric in Mem Gym at this tournament, which features the first home games of the season for the Virginia volleyball team. The Cavaliers will take on VCU, Binghamton and Appalachian State in the Jefferson Cup, after having already defeated Murray State, New Hampshire and James Madison at the first tournament of the season in Harrisonburg this past weekend.
Why you should go: After this coming weekend’s tournament in Denver, the Cavaliers will hopefully be 6-0 and looking to continue their undefeated run to start the season.
Virginia Nike Soccer Classic, Sept. 12 and 14, Klöckner Stadium
The women’s soccer team will face William & Mary and Dartmouth in this tournament and should pull away with two more big wins. The team is currently ranked No. 7 in the country but will rise in the rankings after its incredible start to the season, in which the Cavaliers crushed Loyola, Liberty and VCU.
Why you should go: Soccer fans love to see goals. The Cavaliers won their first three games by a combined score of 14-0. Need I say more?
UVa Classic, Sept. 12-14, Snyder Tennis Center
Formerly the UVa Fall Invitational, the Classic will feature some of the best men’s tennis players in the nation, including the star-studded lineup from Virginia. The Cavaliers won four titles at this event last year, including the singles flight won by current senior Dominic Inglot, and will look to repeat that success this year.
Why you should go: Besides the fact that Virginia has one of the best teams (if not the best) in the nation, sports fans should go for the experience of watching outdoor tennis — the winter part of season is played at the Boar’s Head Sports Club.
Men’s Soccer vs. North Carolina State, Sept. 19, Klöckner Stadium
The Cavaliers got off to a rough start this year, dropping their first two games, with both losses coming at home. On top of those struggles, the Wolfpack will be hungry for revenge, as Virginia knocked N.C. State out of the ACC Tournament last season with a 4-1 first-round win. Virginia is a young, talented team, though, and will have the ship righted by the time this game rolls around.
Why you should go: This game is Virginia’s ACC opener and will be the first conference game for freshmen Chris Agorsor (last year’s National High School Player of the Year), Shawn Barry (an All-American last year) and Hunter Jumper (another All-American, who has an awesome name).
There you have it — a small sampling of the greatness the Virginia sports calendar has to offer. You can’t be disappointed going to any of these games (unless the Cavaliers lose), so go ahead and forget about August already. It’s ancient history.
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