clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Monday Motivation: September 15

Field Hockey and Men's and Women's Soccer won. Am I missing something...OH YEAH FOOTBALL UPSET LOUISVILLE AND WINNING IS AWESOME.

By Caroline Darney
Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Wow. What a week it has been.

Let's start with Field Hockey. The No.9 ranked Cavaliers had a ridiculously solid week with three wins over Miami Ohio (3-1), Louisville (3-2), and Rutgers (4-3). Against Miami of Ohio, the Hoos used scores from Jess Orrett, Riley Tata, and Lucy Hyams to power the attack while fourth year goalie Jenny Johnstone recorded her 10th career shutout.

Against Louisville (sorry, new rival..we had your number this week), the Hoos opened their ACC season with a bang as Caleigh Foust scored two goals, including the game winner in double overtime.

To cap it all off, Virginia won another exciting matchup, this time getting the best of Rutgers in triple overtime. Foust again played heroine, scoring the game winner on an assist from Tara Vittese. The Hoos travel to No.4 Duke on Friday.

In No.2 Women's Soccer action, the Hoos remained unbeaten after wins over Tennessee (2-1) and Hofstra (3-1). Finding themselves down for the first time all season, Virginia responded with two straight second half goals over the Vols. Second year Kristen McNabb evened the score and fourth year Danielle Colaprico knocked in the game winner.

Against the Pride, Virginia was able to capture the Virginia Nike Soccer Classic at home in Charlottesville behind scores from Colaprico, Meghan Cox, and Makenzy Doniak. Colaprico also had an assist in the game and was named MVP of the tournament. The Hoos host Old Dominion on Wednesday at 7pm.

Men's Soccer also fared well, beating VPISU 1-0 to open ACC play behind a score from Scott Thomsen in the 74th minute. The 15th ranked Hoos host VCU Monday night at 7pm.

OK. GUYS. FOOTBALL.

I just can't even right now. After a long, long, long, time, the Hoos put together a tough performance to execute the upset of No.21 Louisville, 23-21. The win was Virginia's first over a ranked opponent since beating Florida State November 19th, 2011...and the first FBS win since beating BYU in the lightning delayed season opener in 2013.

After over a calendar year of losses, the players and fans alike were due this win.

Stats wise, the monster Cavalier defense held the Cards to a mere 79 yards rushing, even though Louisville was averaging 200+ in their first two games. First year Quin Blanding led the team in tackles with nine, and fellow safety Ant Harris was right behind him with 8. Harris also recorded his first interception, a steal that led to a Virginia field goal (more on field goals later!!!).

In case you've been living under a rock, the Virginia defense is the greatest thing since sliced bread. Max Valles had four tackles...and FOUR batted passes. JJ Watt has to be impressed. The 6'5" Valles disrupted Louisville all game, and had a little help from a few of his friends. Henry Coley added a sack on the afternoon (don't worry, Henry...that foul was bogus), and Eli Harold had two sacks of his own, including one to put the Cards on their own one yard line late in the fourth quarter. As a defense, the Cavaliers broke up 11 passes. Eleven. Eleventy.

Quarterback Greyson Lambert had a career day with 162 yards on 13-24 passing, with one TD pass, a rushing TD, and an interception. Guys. We have a QB.

Miles Gooch had a hell of a day, hauling in the first TD and finishing with four receptions for 78 yards.

But, my game ball has to go to Ian Frye, who was apparently born in the Arctic with the amount of ice in his veins. Frye made FGs of 35, 47, and 42 yards, the latter of which was the game winner. He never got rattled, he never faltered, and the Hoos emerged victorious because of it.

But, forget the stats. This game was about so, so, so much more. For me, this began with Justin Anderson putting away the Cards in the CavMan video.

It was the 50 yard completion to Gooch to open the game.

It was Ant's first INT, or the poise of the opening drive in the second half.

It was Frye's knowing reaction as soon as the game winner left his foot.

It was the smile on Max Valles' face after the FOURTH batted ball that set up the Louisville 2nd and 10 with three minutes to play.

It was Eli Harold throwing up the L after the sack that drove Gardner to the one yard line on the very next play. The signal to his friend and mentor Chris Long who was in the stands.

It was the continued sprint of Smoke Mizzell after picking up 14 yards as the Hoos tried to run out the clock.

It was that extra push by Kevin Parks to get the first down to ice the game, and the subsequent fist pump from the senior running back.

It was Coach London's smile, one that has been missing on the sidelines for too long.

It was the victory formation.

It was the rushing of the field (which I loved...and approve of. Give the players some love. Fans and Hoos everywhere earned that).

It was the security guards that wanted to be there with the students celebrating.

It was Lambert meeting Louisville's star defender Maudlin for an embrace post game, two good players congratulating the other.

It was the players visiting Henry Coley one by one in the locker room.

I'm hesitant to declare Virginia football back, but hell if this doesn't make you feel all the feels. Enjoy the week, Hoos. You've earned this.

Oh, and Virginia Tech and Maryland lost. Happy Monday, and GO HOOS.

More From Streaking The Lawn