What to Watch For – ACC Sunday Week 2

Game(s) of the night

UCLA @ Virginia | 7 p.m. | Live Stats

Virginia picked up a huge win over California on Friday night, and will try to ride that momentum into their biggest test of its non-conference schedule when they host No. 11 UCLA this evening. The Bruins dropped from second to 11th after losing to No. 3 New Mexico in their opener. Virginia would likely be a new face in the Top 25 should they capitalize on this chance to get beat one of the premier programs in men’s college soccer.

California @ Maryland | 7 p.m. | Live Video

Maryland and Virginia swap West Coast opponents for the second day of competition in Week 2, as the Terps get California after tying UCLA 2-2 on Friday night. An upset by the Golden Bears would assure them a slot in the NCAA Coach’s Poll next week but a win for Maryland would put them in the immediate discussion as best in the nation should North Carolina lose a match before they do. Maryland will have the added advantage of hosting California on the fourth day of the team’s 2000-plus mile trip to the East Coast. Fatigue from travel and having played a taxing game against Virginia just two days ago.

Player(s) to watch tonight

John Stertzer (MD) – Stertzer has opened the season by scoring in each of the first two matches for the Terps. He was expected to help carry the Terps’ scoring since before the year began and he has wasted no time in cementing himself in that role. Look for this breakout senior year for the captain to continue.

Zach Carroll (UVA) – Carroll, a freshman defender from Grand Blanc, Mich., has played aggressively on both sides of the ball in his first two college matches. He headed home the game-winning goal against California in the match’s 84th minute and also scored the lone goal from the Cavaliers in a loss to Georgetown at the Maryland SoccerPlex last weekend. A two game scoring streak to open a career is always a stat that triggers excitement for the future, but when it’s coming from a defensive player it’s even more intriguing.