The ACC schedule is a true test for championship contenders, an unforgiving slate of matches that prepares teams well for the NCAA soccer tournaments.
After navigating nonconference campaigns without a scratch, the Virginia men’s and women’s squads are passing league tests, though not without some stress.
The third-ranked men (8-0-0) continued their best start since 2006 on Saturday with a 1-0 victory at No. 21 Notre Dame, avenging a defeat in the NCAA round of 16 last year. Joe Bell converted a penalty kick in the 70th minute, and Colin Shutler posted his seventh shutout of the year.