Alecko Eskandarian's 21st Goal of the Season Lifts #20 Virginia Men's Soccer Over #5 Maryland, 1-0

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Nov. 1, 2002

Final Stats | Video Highlights

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The University of Virginia men’s soccer team recorded a 1-0 victory over the Maryland Terrapins in the final regular season Atlantic Coast Conference match for both teams in front of 2,474 spectators at UVa’s Kl?ckner Stadium. Virginia (#20 Soccer America, #13 NSCAA ) defeated Maryland (#5 in Soccer America, #6 NSCAA) for the fourth consecutive time thanks to Alecko Eskandarian’s (Montvale, N.J./Bergen Catholic) team-leading 21st goal of the season. The win evened the Cavaliers record to 3-3-0 in the ACC, while the loss dropped the Terrapins to 4-2-0 in the conference. The two teams will await their seeding in the upcoming ACC Tournament.

After both teams played through a scoreless first half of play, Eskandarian recorded his sixth game-winning goal of the season at the 63:48 mark when Ryan Kelly (Marlton, N.J./Cherokee) played a ball across the front of the Maryland box. Eskandarian gathered Kelly’s cross before firing a one-timer that ended up the back of the Terrapin goal. Eskandrian’s game-winning goal was the only score of the contest. It also gives him a team-high 46 points this season which ties him for seventh all-time in UVa men’s soccer history with Brian Vernon (1981-84) for most points in a career with 107. Kelly’s assist was his third of the season.

Virginia goalkeeper David Comfort (Richmond, Va./Monacan) made three saves in goal to preserve the Cavaliers’ fourth shutout win of the season. The Terrapins’ Noah Palmer made two saves and allowed one goal in a losing effort.

With the victory, Virginia’s record improves to 11-5-0 overall, 3-3-0 in the ACC. With the loss, Maryland’s record falls to 12-4-0 overall, 4-2-0 in the conference. UVa has now won eight of its last nine matches, including a season-high five consecutive contests.

Virginia will return to home action on Tuesday, November 5th when UVa hosts the Pittsburgh Panthers in a non-conference match. The contest is scheduled to begin at 7:00 PM and will be played at Virginia’s Kl?ckner Stadium. Maryland will return to home action on Wednesday, November 6th when the Terrapins host the Bucknell Bison. The match is schedule to begin at 7:00 PM and will be played Maryland’s Ludwig Field.

Scoring					1	2	FMaryland	(12-4-0, 4-2-0 ACC)	0	0	0Virginia		(11-5-0, 3-3-0 ACC)	0	1	1

Goals: Virginia 1 - Eskandarian (Kelly) @ 63:48.  Maryland - none.Shots: Virginia 13, Maryland 10.Corner Kicks: Maryland 9, Virginia 6.Saves: Virginia 3, Maryland 2.Fouls: Virginia 17, Maryland 9.Offsides: Maryland 8, Virginia 2.Cautions: Virginia 3 - Eskandarian, Kelly, Wright.  Maryland - none.Attendance: 2,474.

— UVa —