The Virginia men's soccer team looks to continue building momentum heading into the final weeks of the season tonight as it hosts non-conference opponent Howard University.
Despite not having won a game in a month, the Bison (2-9-2, 0-0-1 MEAC) come into Tuesday's matchup hoping to upset the Cavaliers and find a cure to their season of offensive woes. Thus far this season, Howard has scored only nine goals compared to 21 by its opponents, and has taken 119 shots compared to 218. Moreover, Howard is averaging only 0.67 goals per game.
Putting points on the board against the No. 11 Cavaliers (8-3-1, 2-3 ACC) will not be an easy task for the Bison. Virginia junior goalkeeper Diego Restrepo has only allowed seven goals in the first 12 games. The Virginia defense also has shut out its opponents five times this season.
Even though Howard does not boast an impressive record, Virginia learned earlier this season to never underestimate teams with losing records. Back in September, the Cavaliers lost 1-0 to then-winless ACC rival Clemson at home.
"We're just treating it like any other game," senior midfielder Jonathan Villanueva said. "In college soccer, based on records, you never know how a team is going to play. Clemson came in here without a win and they still won. So we're going to treat it like any other game and get focused."
Virginia is coming off a big 3-1 road win against ACC conference rival Virginia Tech on Saturday in Blacksburg. The Cavaliers rallied to score three goals after trailing the Hokies early in the game.
"It was big on a lot of levels," Virginia coach George Gelnovatch said. "I think that any time you get a win on the road in the ACC is big, no matter who the opponent or what their record is. Secondly, we scored three goals. We hadn't done that since the first game. And in the standings, it puts us right back in the thick of things."
Freshman forward Will Bates played an integral part in the Cavaliers' offensive success against the Hokies, scoring two goals on the night. Bates has been responsible for three of Virginia's six goals in its last three games.
"That was one of the things we focused on, not only creating chances, but making sure whenever we get chances we finish them off," Villanueva said. "Especially against a rival team, we really wanted to make a statement that this was our season."
At practice this week, Virginia coach George Gelnovatch stressed the importance of retaining such a high level of offensive production against the Bison, especially in the early minutes of the game.
"All these games, you have to show up with the right mentality," Gelnovatch said. "The earlier you can score and take the wind out of these teams' sails, the better you make it. Hopefully we can pick up where we left off scoring goals."
After the matchup against the Bison, the Cavaliers will resume conference play Sunday when they host Boston College at Kl
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