Men

Men

The Virginia men’s soccer team will return to the drawing board when it attempts to get back on track tonight against American at Klöckner Stadium.

Virginia 8-5-1 (4-2 ACC) enters the game winless in its last three contests, while American 7-5-2 (3-0-1 Patriot League) comes to Virginia in sole possession of first place in the Patriot League.

Given Virginia’s recent lack of offensive production, the Eagles may continue the Cavaliers’ recent difficulties. The Cavaliers were shut out in their last two ACC contests and have managed to net two goals in their four most recent ACC matches. Virginia managed two goals in a 2-2 draw last week against Longwood.

The problem seems to be the same malady that plagued the Cavaliers earlier this season: missed scoring opportunities. Virginia continues to out-shoot opponents and receive numerous corner kicks; however, those opportunities rarely have been converted into points.

For instance, in Virginia’s 1-0 overtime loss to Duke last Saturday, the Cavaliers out-shot the Blue Devils 11 to 8 in the contest yet failed to put one in the back of the net.

American, on the other hand, travels to Charlottesville coming off a 1-0 victory against Patriot League rival Holy Cross, remaining undefeated in conference play.

The Eagles, led by senior forward/midfielder Anthony Moy, are a competitive squad playing on a higher level than the teams Virginia has faced other Tuesday nights. American has quality wins against North Carolina State, Georgetown, Princeton and Navy. The Eagles also suffered a close 1-0 overtime loss to George Mason, a team Virginia narrowly defeated 3-2 in double overtime.

—compiled by Anders Sleight