The Virginia men’s soccer team renews acquaintances with former ACC rival Maryland Sunday when it takes on the 10th-seeded Terrapins in a second-round match of the 2015 NCAA Tournament. The Cavaliers and Terrapins play at 5 p.m. Sunday at Ludwig Field in College Park.
The winner plays in the round of 16 next Sunday against the winner of the match between No. 7 seed Notre Dame and Tulsa.
Records
Virginia: 10-4-3 (4-2-2 ACC)
Maryland: 10-5-5 (3-2-3 Big Ten)
Live Video/Statistics
A live video broadcast is available through BTN2GO.com. A link to live statistics (GameTracker) also can be located at VirginiaSports.com. In-game updates also will be provided on the UVA Men’s Soccer Twitter account, @UVAMenSoccer.
Virginia Extends Streak in NCAA Soccer Championship
Virginia is playing in its 35th-consecutive NCAA tournament, dating to 1981 – the longest streak in Division I men’s soccer history. Virginia has an all-time record of 61-29-5 in the NCAA tournament. UVA’s 61 tournament wins ranks as the fourth most in NCAA history.
UVA is 3-7-1 in true road matches in the tournament, although the Cavaliers advanced through two road games in 2014 en route to the NCAA championship (win at No. 1 Notre Dame, draw/win on PKs at No. 8 Georgetown).
George Gelnovatch is 31-16-4 in 20 years in the NCAA Tournament.
Cavaliers Renew Rivalry with Maryland
Virginia and Maryland did not play in 2014; it marked the first calendar year in which the longtime rivals did not face off since 1953. Maryland, which won its first 20 games against UVA, owns a 40-29-9 advantage in the programs’ all-time series, which dates to 1941.
Maryland is UVA’s third-most frequent opponent, behind only Duke (86 matches) and North Carolina (84). The sides have squared off four times previously in the NCAA tournament, with each team winning twice. In both of UVA’s wins, the Cavaliers went on to capture national championships (1994, 2009).
Six current Cavaliers have previously played against Maryland: Nicko Corriveau, Patrick Foss, Riggs Lennon, Marcus Salandy-Defour, Scott Thomsen and Todd Wharton.
Virginia vs. Maryland in NCAA Tournament
Nov. 17, 1969 – @Maryland 5, Virginia 0 (1st Round)
Nov. 27, 1994 – @Virginia 2, Maryland 1 (2nd Round)
Dec. 4, 2009 – @Virginia 3, Maryland 0 (Quarterfinals)
Dec. 13, 2013 – Maryland 2, Virginia 1 (Semifinals, Chester, Pa.)
Gelnovatch Continues NCAA-Record Streak
In his 20th year as UVA’s head coach, George Gelnovatch has not missed the NCAA tournament in any season during his tenure. Gelnovatch is the first head coach in Division I men’s soccer history to reach 20 straight NCAA tournaments. In UVA’s streak of 35 straight NCAA tournament berths, Gelnovatch has been a part of 31: 20 as head coach, seven as an assistant coach under Bruce Arena and four as a player.
Virginia Boasts Experience in NCAA Tournament
UVA’s returning players have combined to play in 80 NCAA tournament matches over the past four years (including Thursday vs. Rider). Scott Thomsen and Todd Wharton have played in each of UVA’s 12 NCAA matches the last four years. Riggs Lennon has played in all nine of UVA’s tournament games the past three seasons, while 10 players have at least five NCAA matches under their belts.
Noting Maryland
Maryland earned an automatic bid to the tournament after winning the Big Ten Conference tournament championship last weekend, knocking off top-seeded Ohio State in the final. Sebastian Elney leads the team with seven goals, while Tsubasa Endoh has scored five times and dished out six assists. Mael Corboz owns a Big Ten-leading nine assists.
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Chris Graham
