The Cavalier Daily Sports' staff discusses if the baseball team is in a slump, the future of men's lacrosse, women's basketball in the ACC Tournament and breakout spring sports athletes.
“The Skinny” on weekend action for baseball, softball and women’s lacrosse
Virginia (10-8, 3-4 ACC) could not sustain its recent momentum Friday, falling against top seed and eventual champion Maryland (18-1, 7-1 ACC), 15-9.
It was just over a month ago on March 22 that the No. 14 Virginia women’s lacrosse team took a long, somber bus ride from Durham, N.C. back to Charlottesville. This was not the way the Cavaliers had expected their season to go. The preseason excitement was gone, as Virginia had fallen to 4-6 and 0-3 in the ACC after a 16-11 loss against No. 7 Duke.
Despite a loss Sunday against Maryland, the Virginia women’s lacrosse team still felt it was playing its best of lacrosse of the season. On Wednesday night, the No. 15 Cavaliers (9-7, 3-4 ACC) proved that to be the case as they closed their regular season with a dominant win against in-state rival Virginia Tech (7-8, 0-6 ACC), 17-12.
The Cavaliers were riding a four-game win streak, including two upsets over top-10 teams, but fell to No. 2 Maryland Sunday, 13-8.
Three straight wins have given the No. 16 Virginia women’s lacrosse team a much-needed jolt of confidence. The first two were dominant performances against Old Dominion and American, respectively, but the win against No. 11 Notre Dame on Saturday is where they showed true progress against a conference opponent.
Coach Julie Meyers said before Saturday’s game that in order for Virginia to secure the win, the team would have to hold a high-powered Notre Dame offense to under 10 goals.
Two weeks ago, the Cavaliers found themselves in a bind. Sitting at two games below .500, Virginia was essentially in do-or-die mode. A pair of wins against Old Dominion and American were vital to the Cavaliers’ chance to make their 20th consecutive NCAA tournament under coach Julie Myers.
Virginia and Old Dominion have met every year since 1980, and the results have largely been the same — a Virginia victory.
After an exhilarating victory Wednesday against James Madison Wednesday, the No. 14 Virginia women’s lacrosse team paid a visit to Durham, N.C. to battle No. 8 Duke Saturday afternoon. Despite holding the lead after 50 minutes, the Cavaliers fell 16-11 and are still seeking their first ACC win this season.
The Skinny: Following a tight 4-3 loss to No. 3 UCLA, the Cavaliers travel to North Carolina for a pair of matches against ACC rivals the Tar Heels and the Blue Devils.
No. 14 Virginia (4-5, 0-2 ACC), which has been on the receiving end of several second half runs this season, turned the tables and responded with a 7-0 run lasting throughout much of the second half to steal a 12-10 victory against the Dukes (4-4, 0-0 CAA).
Looking to put together its first win streak of the season, the No. 6 Virginia women’s lacrosse team (3-5, 0-2 ACC) dropped a tough game to Princeton (2-3, 0-1 Ivy), 15-13. After Princeton jumped out to a 2-0 lead, the Cavaliers responded with a 3-0 run over a 2:01 span.
“The Skinny” on matchups for baseball, men’s and women’s lacrosse, women’s tennis, swim and dive, track and field, softball and women’s golf.
“The Skinny” on weekend matchups for baseball, men’s and women’s lacrosse, women’s tennis and softball.
In an all-too-familiar situation, the Cavaliers (1-3, 0-1 ACC) fell just short to this ranked opponent as well, as Syracuse (4-0, 1-0 ACC) used its dynamic offensive attack to cruise to a 18-14 win.
“The Skinny” on weekend matchups for men’s basketball, men’s and women’s lacrosse and women’s tennis.
After suffering two disappointing losses to ranked opponents in No. 4 Northwestern and No. 6 Loyola Maryland, the No. 9 Virginia women’s lacrosse team (1-2) notched its first win of the season against Richmond (1-2) Wednesday night, dominating 18-9. Despite giving up 19 turnovers, most of which came early in the game, Virginia displayed an overall solid performance that pleased coach Julie Meyers.
On a frigid Saturday afternoon that saw gusts of wind reaching 30 miles per hour, No. 6 Virginia fell to No. 9 Loyola, 16-12. The Greyhounds exploded for 13 goals in the second half to overcome a two-goal halftime deficit.
