Division I Men :      May 21, 2006 [ The Game Story]
Virginia 20 Georgetown 8 Scoring: Scoring: Matt Ward Ben Rubeor Matt Poskay Kyle Dixon Garrett Billings Drew Thompson Will Barrow Ryan Kelly Steve Giannone Jack Riley Jared Little Danny Glading (3, 5) (5, 2) (4, 0) (1, 2) (2, 1) (1, 1) (1, 0) (0, 1) (0, 1) (1, 0) (1, 0) (1, 0) Dave Paolisso Brendan Cannon Pete Cannon Garrett Wilson Chase Gahan Sean Denihan Andrew Baird Jake Samperton (4, 0) (0, 2) (0, 2) (1, 1) (1, 0) (1, 0) (1, 0) (0, 1) Saves: Saves: Kip Turner 12  (0.600) Miles Kass Rich D'andrea 7  (0.333) 4  (0.400) Current Record :     (15-0) Current Record :     (11-3) Team Page For 2006 Team Page For 2006       The Game Story:

Virginia scored the game’s first four goals, immediately putting the pressure on Georgetown to try and play catch-up. Matt Poskay scored he first of four on the day of a feed from Kyle Dixon to get the scoring started. Only minutes later, Ward found Jared Little. Dixon and Ward then both recorded unassisted tallies. Georgetown got on the board late in the first quarter when Dave Paolisso converted a pass from Pete Cannon. Poskay answered only minutes later, but Georgetown’s Sean Denihan scored with only eight seconds left in the quarter to make the score 5-2.

Goals were exchanged throughout the 2nd period on route to a 3-3 quarter. Ward scored early in the second to extend the lead to 6-2. Andrew Baird finished a man-up feed from Brendan Cannon, making it 6-3 ‘Hoos. Ward then found Garret Billings only to be answered by the Hoyas when Brendan Cannon fed Paolisso. Rubeor scored minutes later to extend the lead. Paolisso completed a first half hat-trick to finish the scoring in the first half, with the Hoyas trailing the ‘Hoos 8-5.

At the break, the Hoyas were very much in the game and had really seemed to find their stride after a slow start. The wheels came off in the third quarter as Virginia absolutely dominated the period, outscoring the Hoyas 9-2, including a 5-0 run in the latter half of the quarter. Dixon found Poskay early in the quarter, but Georgetown quickly responded with an unassisted tally from Wilson. UVA scored 3 goals in the next three minutes to start to press the advantage: Ward first found Drew Thompson, then Danny Gladding. Will Barrow went coast to coast, making the score 12-6. The Hoyas broke up the run on EMO when Pete Cannon fed Chase Gahan for a nice rip, but Virginia poured it on for the rest of the period, with Rubeor having a hand in the rest of the goals in the quarter: Rubeor found Poskay on man-up, Giannone found Rubeour, Rubeor unassisted, Rubeor to Ward, and Thompson to Rubeor.

The Hoyas got a meaningless goal early in the 4th when Jake Samperton fed Paolisso. Virginia took their time with lengthy possessions in the final quarter to shorten up the game, but still managed to score the game’s final three goals. Billings found Rubeor early in the period, and two EMO chances led to the final two goals. Ward found Billings and reserves Ryan Kelly and Jack Riley hooked up for the 20th and final Virginia tally.

This one wasn’t even close in the 2nd half as the Virginia offense showed what they are capable of, dominating Georgetown athletically and skillwise. Realistically, Georgetown was in serious trouble from the get-go after affording the ‘Hoos a 4-0 lead early in the game. It took all they could muster to try and play catch-up in the first half, and they simply couldn’t run with the Cavs in the second.

As if there was any doubt, Virginia today announced loud and clear why they are the top team in the nation this year. If this team plays up to their potential, it’s hard to see them being beaten next weekend. One thing is for sure… you cannot play Virginia from behind and if any of the contenders want challenge the ‘Hoos, they’ll have to avoid playing catch-up early in the game and wearing themselves out.

Pictures up soon…