Tar Heels attempt to rebound against UVa.

If preseason polls were any indication, the North Carolina men's soccer game Sunday against Virginia would have been the best matchup the ACC has to offer.

UNC's game against the No. 12 Cavaliers features the ACC's preseason favorites - preseason No. 1 UNC and preseason No. 2 UVa.

Instead, the contest highlights two teams moving in very different directions.

The Tar Heels (1-3-2) started out the season ranked No. 7 nationally. They have since slid out of the rankings after four consecutive winless matches, including a 3-2 loss to Old Dominion on Tuesday.

UNC lost after going up 2-0 with 22 minutes to play against the Monarchs. It was the second time the Tar Heels failed to close out the game after leading 2-0 - a similar lapse occurred Sept. 10 against Florida International.

Reigning ACC champion Virginia (5-1-0), on the other hand, is coming off a recent victory against then-No. 2 Wake Forest. UVa. was the first team to register a win against the Deacons.

But UNC coach Elmar Bolowich said he doesn't care who his team faces on the field Sunday.

"It's a moot point to be angry or down," he said. "This game is not bigger than any other game. It just matters that we get better.

"We're making, sometimes, decisions that cost us - a play we should make or a pass we shouldn't give. We have enough to do to fix things."

Marcus Storey, the team's offensive leader with eight points, said the team is turning the corner.

He added that the Tar Heels had the game wrapped up against ODU, but the ball simply didn't roll their way on the Monarchs' last two goals.

"We did turn things around," he said. "If we bring our offense and our defense (against Virginia), I feel like we can win that game."

UVa. fields a talented and experienced squad. Bolowich said the Cavaliers' experience is something the Tar Heels will have to overcome.

UVa. had a top-10 recruiting class this year, and it is led by sophomore forward Adam Cristman. His six points - three goals on 11 shots - lead the Cavs' offense.

Freshman forward Matt Ayotte also has provided some firepower, registering five points. Ayotte was the state of Virginia's top-ranked high school player.

UNC defender Tim Merritt said the Tar Heels always expect a great game against Virginia.

"Big, fast, strong," Merritt said about the Cavaliers. "Hopefully, it's a high-scoring game for us, and not them."

Contact the Sports Editor at sports@unc.edu.