As the Virginia women's soccer team enters the ACC Tournament tonight in Cary, N.C., there's one record they hope not to lose - no player in the program has ever technically lost a conference tournament game. The most senior of the Cavaliers players are 1-0-4 in ACC tournament play, and although they have lost games on penalty kicks, such games are not counted as statistical losses.
The Cavaliers' first test is a grudge match, as they face off against a Boston College team looking for revenge. After their Oct. 3 regular season overtime loss to Virginia, the Eagles went into a tailspin, losing three out of their next four games and plummeting in the polls from their previously held No. 1 spot. Although they have recovered marginally since then, winning two out of three games to avoid potentially missing the ACC Tournament, the margins of victory have not been impressive given their opponents. Nevertheless, Virginia coaches think this performance reflects more on the ACC than it does on any weaknesses of Boston College.
"I think it's not really an indication other than the conference is strong in my opinion," coach Steve Swanson said. "I think B.C.'s a great team and we know that, and I think this matchup will be every bit as challenging as the first one. I don't doubt that at all."
But Virginia may not have to plan for sophomore midfielder Victoria DiMartino, the Eagles' leading scorer who put two goals past junior goalkeeper Chantel Jones during their previous matchup. Against Florida State, when Boston College could have secured third place in the division, DiMartino only played 44 minutes during the Eagles' 1-0 loss. It is unclear whether she is injured. The Cavaliers, meanwhile, have their own reason for revenge.
"We've played them the last two years in the first round of the ACCs, and they beat us last year, so we'd like to beat them," junior forward Lauren Alwine said.
During their last game, the Cavaliers dominated Clemson 6-0. And although beating a perennial bottom-feeder in the ACC is usually nothing to write home about, the win was important to Virginia because it marked the return of sophomore forward Caroline Miller and Alwine. The Cavaliers enter the tournament on a three-game winning streak, having come out victorious in five of their last six games.
"It's great momentum," Alwine said. "Any team would want this kind of momentum going into ACCs 'cause these are big games. Ending the season with an unbeaten streak is really good."
If the team advances, Virginia will play Friday night against the winner of a matchup between the ACC's No. 2 and No. 7 teams, Maryland and Duke, respectively. During the regular season, the Cavaliers lost a 3-2 heartbreaker in College Park against the Terps while beating the Blue Devils 2-0 at home. But no matter who it plays, Virginia's goal this weekend is clear.
"We want the trophy," Alwine said. "We want the trophy"
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