CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW)- Virginia Swim and Dive began its season over the weekend in Gainesville, taking on the Florida Gators in a dual meet. The No. 1 Virginia women earned a victory over No. 6 Florida by a score of 224-127, with Claire Curzan pacing the Hoos the whole way. The junior star earned a win in the 100 butterfly, the 50 backstroke, and the 100 backstroke for three total on the day. The men’s team lost a squeaker against the No. 4 Gators 191.5-159.5. Despite the team result, Virginia’s touted freshmen shined brightly. Thomas Heilmann led the way for the Hoos, winning all three distances of the butterfly (50, 100, and 200). Fellow freshman Maximus Williamson chipped in with wins in the 200 IM and 200 freestyle. The whole team will be in action again for their home opener next Friday against the North Carolina Tar Heels.
Men’s Soccer: The Cavaliers entered play at Klockner Stadium on Friday evening as the No. 8 ranked team in the country, ready to battle a Notre Dame squad on mediocre form. The Hoos had momentum after the NC State match, but after a scrappy defensive performance from the Irish in the second half, AJ Smith’s goal was equalized by Jack Flanagan in the 86th minute. The match finished 1-1. Next, the Hoos will face UNCG at 7 p.m. on Tuesday.
Women’s Soccer: The No. 1 Cavaliers were on the west coast for two weekend matches against California and Stanford. Two quick goals by Maggie Cagle and Lia Godfrey just two minutes apart in the first half gave the Hoos a big lead over the Golden Bears going into the interval, but a costly penalty surrendered in the 84th minute allowed Cal to get back in the game. Soleil Dimry equalized with a long-range rocket to tie the game up in the 88th minute, and the Hoos walked away with a 2-2 tie. Unfortunately for Virginia, Stanford put a brace against them before the first half ended on Sunday, going up 2-0. Jill Flammia got the Hoos a goal as a mere consolation, but Stanford held firm and won the match 2-1. The next match will be Saturday, October 18th vs Louisville.
Field Hockey: The highest profile matchup of the year for the Hoos did not go their way last Friday night. It was a battle between No. 2 Virginia and No. 3 UNC, a grudge match from last year’s ACC tournament. Both sides held each other scoreless for three quarters, before UNC got the go-ahead goal in the 51st minute. Virginia was unable to score, and the match ended 1-0. The Hoos will match up with No. 7 Liberty next on Tuesday at 5 p.m., then travel to William and Mary on Sunday at 1 p.m.
Volleyball: It was a difficult weekend on the road for the Hoos, who dropped their Friday contest with Notre Dame 3-0 then fell to No. 5 Louisville 3-1. Those results drop the Hoos to 8-8 on the year, and they will look to turn it around with two matches against Virginia Tech this week. They head to Blacksburg on Wednesday, getting started at 7 p.m., before returning home to Charlottesville for the “second leg” of their Commonwealth Clash Sunday at 3 p.m.
More matchups: This week, cross country hosts the Panorama Farms Invitational beginning Friday, Women’s golf hits the road for the Stanford Collegiate Invitational beginning Saturday, and rowing takes to the Charles River in Boston for the Head of the Charles Regatta. There are also several important exhibition games this week; Baseball continues its exhibition slate against the Navy Midshipmen at Disharoon Park on Sunday at 1 p.m. Softball battles Radford on Friday night at 6 p.m. Finally, Ryan Odom’s era at the helm of Virginia Basketball begins on the road against the Vanderbilt Commodores this Thursday at 7:30 p.m. Lastly, Virginia Football, following their bye week, will welcome Washington State Saturday evening at 6:30 p.m.
