Cavaliers get Revenge over Tar Heels, Take 13-11 Victory in ACC Showcase

Story by Isaac Berky

Photo by Chelsea Brobst

Chester, PA. (Newhouse Sports Media Center)- The #8 Virginia Cavaliers got a much needed boost heading into the NCAA Tournament as they defeated the #6 North Carolina Tar Heels 13-11 Saturday night in the ACC Showcase in Chester, Pa.

Virginia (9-5, 1-4 ACC) came into the night having dropped four straight ACC contests and three of its last four games. The Cavaliers lone conference victory this season came on Mar. 1 against Syracuse.  North Carolina (10-3, 2-3 ACC) was knocked out of the ACC tournament by Syracuse when the Orange defeated the Tar Heels 11-10 in double overtime on April 12. Both teams came into the Showcase game with chips on their shoulders.

The teams traded goals on the way to a 4-4 tie after 15 minutes. But in the second quarter four consecutive goals from the Tar Heels gave UNC an 8-4 lead.

The Cavaliers ended the Tar Heels' run with 2:37 remaining in the half as Ryan Tucker netted his first of the game. Tucker’s goal gave Virginia the momentum as time expired in the first half.

“It was huge for us to get that goal and give us something to cheer about, lighten up a little going into the locker room,” said Virginia attack Mark Cockerton.

"Hoos" coach Dom Starsia said the team seemed too tight in the first half, something he felt could be tied back to him.

“I think when you struggle like we have lately it weighs on you as coaches,” Starsia said after the game. “These guys know me very well and they could tell from my body language. I think that caused us to play tight in the first half.”

Cavs' comeback

As the second half got underway, Virginia continued right where its left off scoring only five seconds in on a man-up opportunity carried over from the first half. Taking advantage of another extra-man opportunity Mark Cockerton scored for the Cavaliers about a minute later to cut the lead to 8-7.

Cockerton, who finished with four goals and three assists, terrorized the Tar Heels all night.

“He’s a good player and we knew that coming in,” said UNC coach Joe Breschi. “We had game planned for him but it didn’t work.”

As the third quarter continued neither team was able to really grab and hang on to control of the game. Throughout the frame the teams traded goals and capitalized on man-up opportunities. T.J. Kemp’s shot from the left side with two minutes remaining in the quarter gave UNC a 11-10 lead after three.

Virginia’s defense locked down a strong Tar Heel offense in the fourth quarter as three unanswered goals including one empty net goal helped the Cavaliers net a 13-11 victory and avenge an 11-10 loss to the Tar Heels on April 5.

“It was an important victory and we needed it badly,” Starsia said after the game. “We needed a win badly we haven’t been playing our best lately.”

For Breschi the biggest problem for the Tar Heels came in the clearing game.

“That was the difference for us I think,” Breschi said. “That wasn’t like us tonight, we missed eight clears.”

While he said his team didn’t play as well as its has at times Breschi was quick to give credit to Virginia.

“They played with an edge tonight. I mean they played like any team that was defeated [April 5] would have.”

With the ACC Championship not possible for either team both teams head back home to prepare for the NCAA Tournament.

“It was a good opportunity for us tonight,” Starsia said. “It was a much needed little boost as we prepare for the tournament.”

The ACC Tournament will finish tomorrow afternoon at 1:00 p.m. as third-seeded Syracuse takes on fourth-seeded Notre Dame for the ACC title at PPL Park in Chester, Pa.

Post Game Wrap Up




Post Game Sound from Starsia, Cockerton and Breschi