This is the game we've all been waiting for.
This Sunday at 2 p.m. at Duke Soccer Stadium, the No. 9 men's soccer team (10-3, 2-2 in the Atlantic Coast Conference) will take on No. 1 Virginia (13-0-1, 4-0-1).
Duke has defeated the Cavaliers each of the last two years during the regular season, but UVa went on to win the national championship in both years. This Sunday's game does not look as promising for Duke.
This year's Virginia team has outscored its ACC opponents by the overwhelming margin of 19-5 and has manhandled its seven Sunday opponents by the score of 25-7. As if this is not enough to scare Duke, UVa is boasting a 23-game unbeaten streak.
A great deal is at stake for UVa, as it is looking to maintain its undefeated record and secure at least a tie for first place in the ACC--Maryland is in contention with a 3-0-1 conference record.
With two losses in the league, second place is the best that Duke can do. This game's outcome will not only have a big impact on ACC standings, but it will also affect NCAA tournament position. Duke, however, is trying to put these thoughts aside and think only about the game.
"This game means a great deal to the team," forward Andy Kwon said. "But we're trying to put it out of our minds and concentrate on what we have to do in order to win the game."
One of the things Duke must do to have a shot against the Cavs is neutralize the midfield. UVa has the best midfield corps in the nation. Junior Mike Fisher is the leading scorer in the ACC with 12 goals and 12 assists. Senior Damian Silvera, a preseason All-American selection, holds the career assist record at Virginia. And sophomore Billy Walsh is the team's third leading scorer.
This trio controls the ball in the middle of the field, making it difficult for the opposition to get possession of the ball, let alone put it in the goal.
It is opponents like Virginia that remind Duke fans just how much the season-ending injury of junior midfielder Brad Cartwright means to the team. Cartwright's experience and playmaking abilities will be missed come Sunday. He has played some great UVa teams during his years at Duke and is impressed by the Cavaliers' knack of winning the big game.
"In my freshman year [1992], Virginia beat us in the Final Four," Cartwright said. "Last year, they beat us in the ACC tournament. They always seem to win when they have to."
Aside from Cartwright, Duke has no injuries, as leading scorer Josh Henderson and senior defender Craig Jeidy are fully recovered from their injuries.
Even with a healthy team, Duke knows it must rise to the occasion and play with the same intensity that it had in wins over UCLA and Clemson earlier this year.
"Virginia is the best team in the nation," Henderson said. "We'll have to play our very best to beat them."
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