The University of Mary Washington’s Independent Student Newspaper Serving the community since 1922
The
Weekly
Ringer
VOLUME 98 | ISSUE 8
November 1, 2024
UMW faithful show out in Charlottesville despite loss
THOMAS JACKSON Sports Editor CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — On Wednesday, the University of Mary Washington’s men’s soccer team traveled to face the University of Virginia at Klöckner Stadium in Charlottesville. This matchup was only the second time in UMW history that the two teams have faced off against each other, according to U.Va. Athletics.
“I was surprised by how many Mary Wash fans there were. There were probably just as many UMW fans as there were UVA fans. Everyone was super enthusiastic about the game.” - Madison Mayes The previously undefeated UMW Eagles were ultimately bested by the U.Va. Cavaliers in a final score of 4–2. The teams first went head to head in 2021 when the Cavaliers similarly defeated the Eagles 2–0. The reason for their few meetings is that the teams play in different NCAA divisions. The Cavaliers are a Division I
team with a 2024 season record of 8–5–3 and the Eagles play in Division III with a record of 15–1–1. Going into this game, the Eagles were ranked first in the United Soccer Coaches Poll for seven consecutive weeks. Because of the dominating season and the rarity of this matchup, UMW Athletics offered to purchase tickets for any UMW faculty, staff member or student interested in attending the game. According to Assistant Athletic Director for Communications Clint Often, approximately 100 people reserved tickets. “I was surprised by how many Mary Wash fans there were,” said junior nursing major Madison Mayes, who attended the game. “There were probably just as many UMW fans as there were UVA fans. Everyone was super enthusiastic about the game.” Despite the built-up excitement, UMW’s Sammy Amorose, a junior biology major, along with the rest of the team, treated this game like it was against any other school. “I don’t think that the mindset has changed heading into the game. No matter the circumstances we are ready to work for each other whether that’s a game or in practice,” he said. “We are treating this like every game week we have had this
The University of Mary Washington’s men’s soccer team faces off against the University of Virginia’s NCAA Division I team in Charlottesville. Thomas Jackson / The Weekly Ringer
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The men’s soccer team gathers together in a huddle before the beginning of the game to prepare for a tough match. Thomas Jackson / The Weekly Ringer
year and trying to prepare for what will be a tough game against a D I school.” Amorose would continue believing that this game would be a good test for the team going against this Division I rival. “This game is a great opportunity to showcase what our team is capable of doing,” he said. Executive Director of University Communications Amy Jessee sent a campus-wide email on Oct. 4, advertising the free ticket offer. To Amorose, this shows Mary Washington’s commitment to their teams. “We are extremely grateful for both UMW and our student body,” he said. “UMW offering to pay for the tickets of those who want to come shows their commitment to supporting their teams while they’re away at tough games like UVA.” More than just showing commitment, Amorose believes that support from the UMW fanbase helps them win games. “When the games get tough and we have everyone cheering us on and behind our backs, it pushes us to play better and harder to get the win,” he said.
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Mayes says that acquiring the free ticket from UMW was an easy process and made it an easy decision to attend the game despite its distance. “All I had to do was put my email in saying I wanted a ticket,” she said. “Then a few weeks later I was sent a ticket that I just downloaded to my phone. Overall, it is very easy to get tickets.”
“When the games get tough and we have everyone cheering us on and behind our backs, it pushes us to play better and harder to get the win.” - Sammy Amorose During the game, UMW would have a slow first period, giving up three goals to U.Va., the first not even being from a Cavalier shot attempt. In the 24th minute, after an errant back-pass, Mary Washington scored in their own net. The next
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