The Virginia Women's Soccer team has spent the better part of the last three weeks on the road facing some of the stiffest competition in the country.
All four teams on their road swing were ranked in the top 25 at the time the Cavaliers played them and all four are still ranked in the top 25. Three of the teams were ranked in the top 6 at the time of the game. While the 'Hoos managed "only" a 1-2-1 record, they must be commended for fighting their way through the schedule they were given.
The win during that stretch was a 1-0 double-overtime victory over North Carolina - the Cavaliers' first ever win against the Tar Heels. The tie was against fourth-ranked Duke. The combined records of those four opponents? 40-4-4 overall and 15-1-2 in the ACC. These are some great teams.
And now, they come home. Four of their final regular season matches are at home. Interestingly, all five are against the bottom five teams in the current ACC standings. The combined records of those five opponents? 37-23-4 overall and 3-17-4 in the ACC. That's not to say these are bad teams - they're definitely not - but this is a much more manageable stretch for the 'Hoos than what they just went through.
It all begins this Saturday at 7pm when #13 Florida State (9-4-0, 2-3-0 ACC) comes to Klockner to take on the #16 Cavaliers. After that, the 'Hoos have a quick trip to N.C. State (8-4-2, 0-3-2 ACC) on Thursday at 7pm, followed by consecutive home games against Clemson, Virginia Tech and Miami to conclude the regular season.
I urge everyone to make it out to at least one of these games at Klockner - the ladies are playing some of the best soccer in the country right now. Go Hoos!