The Virginia men's soccer team kicks off a three-game home stand - the final three matches of the regular season - tonight against American in its last non-conference clash of the year.
The Cavaliers (9-5-1, 3-2-1 ACC) enter the match having lost only one game during their last six, but most recently played to a scoreless draw against rival Virginia Tech, which currently sits in last place in the ACC standings. Although the draw marked a disappointment for the team, Virginia coach George Gelnovatch is pleased with his defense's recent quality of play - it's held opponents scoreless during three of the Cavaliers' last four contests.
"If you look over course of the season, there's been a little lack of consistency [defensively]," Gelnovatch said. "I'd like to see the same kind of play from the last couple of games over the next three, with consistently not giving up goals. Then, if we continue to play well, I think you can say that we've evolved."
While the defense comes into the match against the Eagles (6-9-1, 4-1-0 Patriot) touting recent success, the Virginia attack, which ranks No. 4 in the ACC in goals and averages just under two scores per game, will need to regroup if it plans to outduel American. Virginia delivered a poor offensive performance against Virginia Tech as the Cavaliers accumulated a striking 19 shots and seven shots on goal but failed to get on the scoreboard for only the fourth time this season. Junior forward Will Bates, who ranks No. 2 in the ACC in goals scored and has notched 10 of Virginia's last 16 goals, missed a critical penalty kick Saturday which could have propelled his squad to victory. Bates' untimely miss was Virginia's first failed penalty kick of the season. Despite the offensive miscues, Gelnovatch remains confident that his offensive unit is fully capable of regathering focus and finishing the regular season on a high note.
"The PK should have been enough to win [the] game, but it's not the end of the world," Gelnovatch said. "I believe we have the best road record [in the conference], and we have two [ACC] home games left, so a point [earned from the draw] is not the worst thing that could have happened."
Tonight's match against American serves as the Cavaliers' final test before resuming ACC play, which will decide the Cavaliers' place in the upcoming ACC Tournament. The Cavaliers hope to maintain their top-four position in the conference standings so they can secure a home opener in the competition. Currently, they sit only one game behind first-place Maryland.
"The other seniors [and I] want to win the ACC league [in the regular season]," redshirt senior defender Mike Volk said. "We haven't done that since we've been here, and that would give us home field advantage in the tournament."
But prior to facing another ACC foe, the Cavaliers must square off against a hungry American squad, which is also looking to rebound from a frustrating game. Although they currently stand atop the Patriot League standings, the Eagles fell against Navy - a team the Cavaliers shut out earlier this season - last weekend by a narrow 2-1 margin. American, which averages four saves a game, allowed just two shots on goal, both of which proved successful for the Midshipmen. The loss came on the heels of a seven-game stretch during which the Eagles claimed five victories - arguably their strongest stretch of the season.
This season marks the fourth consecutive year that Virginia will face American. The Cavaliers have emerged victorious during each of the past three meetings between the programs. But despite a historical advantage, the Cavaliers are not taking the Eagles lightly, as an upset loss against Liberty - which had failed to down Virginia in 18 previous contests - remains fresh on the collective mind of the squad.
"[American] is a solid college soccer team that [I believe] is leading their conference," Gelnovatch said. "Their record's not great but neither was Tech's. You have to come to play on Tuesdays."
Tonight's game is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.
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