The Cavalier Daily
Serving the University Community Since 1890

Matmen face ACC-stalwart Maryland on Senior Night

Squad enters match after three consecutive losses against top-ranked Terrapins, looks to gain momentum heading into postseason play

The Cavalier matmen square off against Maryland tomorrow during Senior Night in their final match before postseason play.

They face a menacing Terrapin squad ranked first in the ACC and led by senior Hudson Taylor, who ranks first in the NCAA with 22 pins on the season, including one during the Terrapins' last match against Hofstra.

Maryland (18-4, 3-0 ACC), currently ninth in the nation, is one of the highest ranked opponents that No. 23 Virginia (16-5, 3-1 ACC) has faced this season.

"Anytime you wrestle a team of that caliber, obviously your guys get pumped up for it," Virginia coach Steve Garland said. "We hope that it's going to be the most intense duel of the year."

Virginia has lost three straight matches to Maryland, with its last victory coming at home during the program's 2005-06 campaign. The squad will face a steep challenge against this Maryland team, which has what many consider to be its best ever senior class. The first-place Terrapins went undefeated at home this season on their way to setting a school record for victories.

"We look to see high programs like that and beat them and that puts us in the top rankings," senior Beau Fisher said.

Maryland returned three All-Americans from last year, including senior Hudson Taylor, who leads the NCAA in pins this season with 22.

Freshman Matt Snyder has played a key role for this year's team, earning ACC Wrestler of the Week honors Tuesday. It marked the fourth time a Cavalier wrestler earned the distinction this season.\nSnyder's stepping into a leading role on the team will help Virginia when it graduates six seniors at the conclusion of the season, as Garland will look to underclassmen to carry the team through the coming years.

"Those seven minutes [on the mat] are like what we've been through our whole four years," Fisher said. "We're all just going to go out there and work our best and hold nothing back"

Comments

Latest Podcast

The University’s Associate Vice Provost for Enrollment and Undergraduate Admission, Greg Roberts, provides listeners with an insight into how the University conducts admissions and the legal subtleties regarding the possible end to the consideration of legacy status.



https://open.spotify.com/episode/02ZWcF1RlqBj7CXLfA49xt