What's the only thing worse than having to play the Virginia lacrosse team in Charlottesville?
Probably having to play them at home on two consecutive weekends. The ninth-ranked Blue Devils head north to take on the second-ranked Cavaliers at 2 p.m. Saturday. Regardless of the outcome of this game Duke will make that same trip next weekend to replay the Cavaliers in the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament.
This game is a contrast of two teams on different paths, one heading up and one heading down. The problem for the Blue Devils is that they are currently on a downward spiral. Duke is 3-2 in its last five games with the most recent being a 17-15 loss to Hobart of Division III.
On the other side of the coin, Virginia has won its last seven games to push its overall record to 8-1. Included in UVa's streak are North Carolina and Maryland, two teams that beat Duke, in addition to perennial powerhouse Johns Hopkins.
"We're just trying to get back on track after our last few games," Duke head coach Mike Pressler said. "But we have to do this against the hottest team in lacrosse right now.
"To say we have our hands full would be an understatement. We could play well and still lose this game."
If this is not enough to instill fear in the minds of Blue Devil fans, just take a look at the history of this match-up. Virginia has won 28 of the last 30 games between the two schools. So Duke will be playing a red hot team that normally dominates the Blue Devils, and it will all take place in Virginia's backyard.
But Duke is not about to raise the white flag. Things might be a bit more promising than they seem. For starters the Blue Devils have played some inspired lacrosse this year including a 14-9 win against Navy a team which had caused a lot of trouble in the past.
It should also be noted that Duke has played Virginia better than average the past few years. In 1991 and 1993 Duke played the Cavaliers to 14-10 losses and in 1992 Duke beat Virginia in Charlottesville 12-10. The juniors and seniors on Duke's team know what it's like to beat the Cavaliers.
The final key is that Duke is ready to play. With a week to mull over their recent defeat, the Blue Devils won't want to disappoint themselves anymore.
"It's not that we've let the team down but I feel we've let the seniors down," said junior Ross Moscatelli, who had four goals and two assists against Hobart. "I don't want to look around the locker room and see the seniors like they were after the Hobart game. Everyone knows what this game means, so we're really focused."
Keeping focused means running the game plan to perfection. Virginia has a quick transition-styled attack which has allowed UVa to score over 17 goals per outing while holding opponents to under eight points in the team's eight wins this season.
"We just need to control the ball," Moscatelli said. "If we keep the ball on the outside perimeter they'll come out after us. They are an aggressive team who will make some mistakes that we can capitalize on."
With three games remaining in Duke's season, the Blue Devils are looking for a win to push them into the NCAA Tournament. After playing Virginia twice they will face off against Princeton, the only team to beat Virginia this year.
"I'm sure our guys are going to respond to this challenge," Pressler said. "Virginia will have to play well to beat us, I'm certain of that."
Get The Chronicle straight to your inbox
Signup for our weekly newsletter. Cancel at any time.