Football
What: Virginia (2-3, 0-1 ACC) at Maryland (4-1, 0-1 ACC)
Where: College Park, Md.
When: Saturday, 3:30 p.m.
The Skinny: Last week, Maryland entered the top 25 for the first time since ending the 2010 season ranked No. 23. Although the Terrapins were blown out 63-0 by No. 6 Florida State last weekend and dropped from the rankings, this year’s defense still ranks as one of the best in the country on third down and at getting after the quarterback, ranking second in the ACC and third nationally with 18 sacks. The unit is also No. 3 in the ACC and No. 24 nationally in rush defense, allowing just 115 yards per game, and could prove particularly vexing to Virginia’s run-heavy offense.
The Terrapin offense is also much improved from 2012, averaging 445.6 yards per game — the highest in program history through five games — and 31.8 points per game. Senior quarterback C.J. Brown, healthy after missing all of 2012 with a torn ACL, has formed a potent partnership with sophomore wide receiver Stefon Diggs, who sucked the life from Scott Stadium in last year’s matchup by returning the opening kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown.
Brown is a dual threat who has thrown seven touchdowns and just one interception this season, while rushing for six more — good for fourth in the ACC and first among quarterbacks. He suffered a concussion against the Seminoles and his status is uncertain for Saturday’s game, but the Cavaliers are preparing as if he is going to play. Sophomore Caleb Rowe will start for the Terrapins if Brown is unavailable.
—compiled by Zack Bartee
Men’s Soccer
What: No. 23 Virginia (6-3-2, 2-2-2 ACC) vs. No. 5 Maryland (5-2-4, 4-0-2 ACC)
Where: Klöckner Stadium
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
The Skinny: Both Virginia and Maryland come into this game boasting a seven-game unbeaten streak. Led by junior midfielder Eric Bird, the Cavaliers will depend on their potent offense to score the upset at home.
The last time these two teams faced off, Maryland came out on top 1-0 with the game-winning goal coming from then-junior Patrick Mullins. The senior forward is off to a hot start this year for Maryland, having already scored six goals.
Both teams have spread the ball around quite a bit this year with 12 Virginia players and eight Maryland players notching at least one goal. The matchup figures to be an offensive battle between a Cavalier team that ranks sixth in the country in goals scored and a Maryland squad that ranks 11th.
—compiled by Krishna Korupolu
Field Hockey
What: No. 5 Virginia (13-2, 1-2 ACC) vs. No. 6 Boston College (10-2, 1-1 ACC), William & Mary (5-6, 2-1 CAA)
Where: Turf Field
When: Friday, 6 p.m. (Boston College); Sunday, 1 p.m. (William & Mary)
The Skinny: The No. 5 Virginia field hockey returns home this weekend to face No. 6 Boston College and William & Mary. The Cavaliers split games against ranked opponents last weekend during a trip to New York, losing to No. 3 Syracuse before defeating No. 12 Albany.
Before last weekend, Virginia had shut out three consecutive opponents, but in the games against Syracuse and Albany they allowed their most goals in any two-game stretch all season. Junior goalkeeper Jenny Johnstone and the Cavalier defense will look to improve on their 1.17 goals against average, which is currently third in the conference. The Cavaliers also boast a conference-leading five shutouts on the year.
The Eagles enter the game coming off an overtime win against then-No. 2 Connecticut last Sunday. Boston College handed the Huskies their first loss of the season, a feat they also accomplished against No. 3 Syracuse earlier in the year. Their only losses come against No. 1 Maryland and No. 11 Massachusetts.
The Eagles are led by junior midfielder Emma Plasteras, who ranks second in the conference in goals with 10, trailing only Virginia senior forward Elly Buckley, who has 17. Plasteras is also tied for first in the conference in game-winning goals with four, including one in overtime against Connecticut last week.
The Cavaliers have already faced William & Mary in a preseason scrimmage in August, and look to build from the success they had in that game. Virginia defeated the Tribe 2-1 in the regulation portion of the scrimmage, though the teams were tied at 2-2 in a simulation penalty strokes period. Virginia has beaten William & Mary in each of the last eight seasons.
—compiled by Matt Comey
Volleyball
What: Virginia (9-7, 2-2 ACC) vs. Syracuse (5-11, 0-4 ACC), Boston College (8-8, 0-4 ACC)
Where: Memorial Gymnasium
When: Friday, 7 p.m. (Syracuse); Saturday, 7 p.m. (Boston College)
The Skinny: After splitting two conference matches on the road last week, the Cavaliers return home to face two more ACC rivals this weekend.
Virginia fell 3-1 to Maryland before beating Pittsburgh 3-2, giving them a .500 conference record.
Syracuse comes to Charlottesville looking to break a five-game losing streak and notch its first ACC victory after losing to No. 11 North Carolina last weekend.
Boston College is also looking for its first ACC win. The Eagles dropped games to ACC rivals NC State and North Carolina. Before playing the Cavaliers, they will face Virginia Tech Friday.
—compiled by Kristen Cauley
Women’s Soccer
What: No. 1 Virginia (13-0, 7-0 ACC) vs. No. 11 Wake Forest (8-2-2, 3-2-2 ACC)
Where: Winston-Salem, North Carolina
When: Sunday, 1 p.m.
The Skinny: The top ranked Virginia women’s soccer team kicks off its second road trip of the season against a tough Wake Forest team. The Cavaliers are coming off a grueling 3-2 double overtime victory against fifth-ranked Notre Dame, and fatigue could play a role in Sunday’s match-up.
The Demon Deacons will have had 10 full days of rest coming into the match and will try to use their fresh legs to upend Virginia — they last played Oct 3rd, when they tied the Fighting Irish 1-1. Wake Forest routinely gives the Cavaliers trouble, winning its last two matchups against Virginia.
—compiled by Ryan Taylor
Read More
No. 6 women’s lacrosse relies on veteran goalscoring to defeat Virginia Tech 14-12
By Peter Kratz | 5 hours agoThe Hokies came close, but ultimately couldn’t contend with the Cavaliers’ offensive firepower.
Leo Afonso is ascending the ranks of club soccer — and he is not done yet
By Ben Istvan | YesterdayVirginia's former talisman recently made waves in professional soccer with a dreamlike 17-day stretch.
Virginia softball fumbles last home game of the season to Virginia Tech
By Eleanor Lynch | 2 days agoThe Hokies shut out the Cavaliers, who continue to show immense struggles at the plate.
