SPORTS WRAP
Most Frustrating Loss: The 16th ranked UVA football team concludes the regular season with a bitter 24-10 loss in Blacksburg at the hands of arch-rival No. 11 Virginia Tech Saturday, November 27. The Cavs (8-3, 5-3 in the ACC) fail to convert numerous opportunities including a blocked field goal and multiple drives that go nowhere. "I guess you don't need a calculator to figure out we left 14 points out there," UVA coach Al Groh tells the AP. "Clearly that's how we see it." The victory allows the despised Hokies (9-2, 6-1 in the ACC) to claim at least a share of the ACC title, and also returns the Commonwealth Cup and bragging rights to Blacksburg.
Worst Pennsylvania Tour: It just so happens that the two hottest teams in the NFL reside in the Keystone State, and by the luck of the Redskins' scheduling draw, Washington (3-8) is forced to visit each one on back-to-back weekends. After a 27-6 setback at the hands of the 9-1 Philadelphia Eagles a week earlier, the Skins drop their third straight game against the 10-1 Pittsburgh Steelers Sunday, November 28. Washington's defense continued to give fans hope; however, quarterback Patrick Ramsey and the struggling offense could muster only one touchdown drive in the entire game. "One of our goals is to score 21 points," Ramsey tells the AP after the 16-7 defeat. "We've got to do that."
Best Local Thriller: Despite Black Saturday in Blacksburg, Wahoo fans find something to cheer about at Klöckner Stadium on November 27, when the "cardiac Cavs" men's soccer team (19-4-0) pulls out a thrilling victory over the New Mexico Lobos (17-2-1) in the third round of do-or-die NCAA tournament play. The two soccer powerhouses battle through two overtimes until a 1-1 tie is finally broken, giving the Cavs a 6-5 victory over the Lobos in a penalty kick shootout. Even UVA coach Steve Swanson is overcome by the intense pressure. "In terms of New Mexico, it's a tough way to go down," Swanson tells The Daily Progress. "That was, if not the best, one of the best teams we've faced this year."
Strongest Early Season Statement: UVA men's basketball continues to make its case as a dangerously underrated team this season as the 4-0 Wahoos top Appalachian State 77-60 Wednesday, November 24, and then step on the Richmond Spiders (2-1) 85-58 at University Hall Sunday, November 28.
Best Rebound: The Washington Wizards rally to force overtime Friday, November 26, in Philadelphia, only to see the 76ers' Allen Iverson literally steal the game by intercepting a Washington pass for a game-clinching lay-up. Larry Hughes helps the Wiz earn redemption Sunday in Toronto as his triple double performance (33 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists) leads Washington (7-5) back from a 10-point fourth quarter deficit en route a 114-109 OT victory.
The Week Ahead:
UVA MEN'S SOCCER VS. DUKE
NCAA Quarterfinals
Saturday, December 4 @ 7pm
The last time the Cavs faced the Blue Devils at Klöckner in late October, UVA came back from a 2-0 deficit in the game's final minutes to force overtime and went on to secure a 3-2 triumph in the extra session. The two conference rivals meet again with a trip to the NCAA Men's Soccer Final Four at stake.
Tickets: $6 Adults $4 Youth
UVA MEN'S BASKETBALL VS. AUBURN
Friday, December 3 @ 7pm in Richmond
UVA's hoping the Cavalier faithful will make the one-hour journey down I-64 to support the Hoos as they take on the undefeated Auburn Tigers. Some tickets are still available. Prices vary.
ALBEMARLE BOYS BASKETBALL
Friday, December 3 @ 7:30pm vs. Monticello
Tuesday, December 7 @ 7:45pm vs. Western Albemarle
Central Virginia's basketball season opens with an exciting week of local rivalry action as the Patriots of Albemarle meet the Monticello Mustangs and Western Albemarle Warriors. Tickets: $5
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