This Week In Cavalier Sports History: 11/7/2004

When it comes to dominance in one sport over a period of time, only certain “dynasty” teams come to mind. The UCLA Bruins with coach John Wooden owned the college basketball hardwood for many years. The Chicago Bulls with Michael Jordan made us all want to be like Mike. The New England Patriots this year alone have brought together a team that has appeared unflappable, not to mention their previous Super Bowls.

However, when it comes to a true dynasty that the Virginia Cavaliers might have to take on, look no further than the  North Carolina women’s soccer team.

Anson Dorrance is the coach of what is arguably the greatest program you have never heard of. The staggering numbers are enough to impress even the most casual sports fan. In 28 years as head coach of  North Carolina, the Tar Heels have compiled a 629-28-18 record. That is a mind-blowing winning percentage of .945. At one point, UNC won 92 consecutive games. They have only lost nine games at home…ever. They have shut out opponents 446 times. 

The program has produced some of the biggest names in the sport, such as Mia Hamm, Kristine Lilly and Katherine O’Reilly. Before these ladies were winning gold medals for the U.S. National team, they were bringing home the hardware for the Tar Heels.  North Carolina has won 19 NCAA titles and 18 ACC titles (and the ACC tournament is only 20 years old). 

With that kind of record, it should not be surprising that (officially) Virginia has never defeated North Carolina. Well…almost.

November 7, 2004 was an abnormally warm day. The nearly 4,000 people in attendance came to Cary, N.C. to watch the No. 1 ranked Tar Heels head into the ACC Championship game to take on the No. 4 Virginia Cavaliers.  Virginia came in with a great record on the year of 16-2-2, but the number that most looked at 0: Virginia’s win total against the Tar Heels. 

In the regular season, Virginia lost a close 2-1 match in Chapel Hill, N.C. The Tar Heels scored one goal late in the first half of that game, and opened the second half with a goal to clinch momentum and extend their unbeaten streak to 42 games. After the game, Virginia coach Steve Swanson could only shake his head at the Cavaliers dropped another close one to their hated rivals.

"If you look at the stats, it was a pretty even game," said Virginia head coach Steve Swanson after that game. "Give them credit, their pressure was the key to this game. They took advantage of their chances."

Well, on November 7^th, the Cavaliers were going to take advantage of some chances of their own. Sarah Huffman crossed a ball to Lindsay Gusick, who was able to knock it in the far post and give Virginia the 1-0 lead in the 24^th minute.  Virginia was able to maintain the lead all the way into halftime, leaving North Carolina in a position very unfamiliar to them: trailing.

That feeling did not last long, however, as North Carolina quickly regained momentum in the second half. The Tar Heels were the aggressors and continued to hit good shots until they finally caught a break. Elizabeth Guess was fouled in the box and Kacey White was able to convert the penalty kick in the 56^th minute to even the score at 1-1.

Virginia was able to mount a charge late, hitting a flurry of shots that just went wide.  North Carolina fans held their breath in the final moments of regulation, but this match was destined for overtime.

In the extended period, both teams played very conservatively, afraid to give up the golden goal.  Virginia outshot North Carolina 4-1, with the best shot coming from Virginia’s Kristen Weiss in the final minute of second overtime. She was able to get a clear shot off, but the North Carolina keeper made an impressive save at the line. With that save, the match officially went down in the record books as a draw.  North Carolina maintained their unbeaten streak.

But, would they go home with the ACC trophy? That would have to be determined in the penalty kick shootout.

In the first round, Shannon Foley connected for Virginia and Carolina’s Kendall Fletcher missed wide right to give Virginia a 1-0 lead. It was 3-2 in round four when Carolina keeper Aly Winget made a miraculous save. After five rounds both teams had four goals, leading to an extra round of penalty kicks.

Kristen Weiss, who had almost won the game in overtime, stepped up and delivered for the Cavaliers. Now all the pressure was squarely on Virginia keeper Christina de Vries. 

North Carolina sophomore Mary McDowell stepped up to her mark. She was a member of the U.S. National team twice, and now held the entire season in the balance for two teams. When the shot left her foot, little did she know how much history was going to be changed. De Vries was able to leap forward and snare the ball, providing one of the biggest “wins” in Virginia sports history.

The elation that followed was staggering. The Cavaliers were ACC champions for the first time ever, and they did it against one of the greatest collegiate programs ever assembled.  North Carolina had won the title 15 years straight, but this year it would find its home in Charlottesville, VA.

Virginia would enter the NCAA tournament as the No. 3 overall seed before falling unexpectedly in the second round against Duke 3-0 at home.  North Carolina would also be equally shocked in the third round in an overtime loss against Santa Clara, their first official loss since December of 2002. While both teams may not have had the NCAA tournament they had envisioned, they did share one moment of collegiate soccer perfection. A match that went down to the wire between two bitter rivals that changed the landscape of collegiate soccer…if only for a day.

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