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Sept. 13, 2003
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The University of Virginia men’s soccer team entered its Atlantic Coast Conference match against the previously undefeated and #3 ranked Wake Forest Demon Deacons needing a win in a big way, and got one. UVa’s duo of Matt Oliver and Adam Cristman each scored a goal and the Cavaliers’ defense did its part in making shot opportunities difficult for the Demon Deacons, as Virginia handed Wake Forest a 2-1 loss in front of 1,794 spectators at Kl?ckner Stadium. UVa was in control of the match for most of the game and pulled out to a 2-0 lead, then held on for their first win over a ranked opponent this season.
Virginia controlled the ball for most of the match in the early ongoing, and the Cavaliers’ Oliver scored the first goal of the game at 38:30. UVa’s Phillip Long sent a corner kick into the box where Oliver got a head on it, directing the ball into the far corner of the goal to give the Cavaliers a 1-0 lead. Oliver’s goal was his second of the season and the second of his career. Virginia outshot Wake Forest 11-3 in the first half and took its one-goal lead into the locker room at halftime.
The Demon Deacons appeared to turn up the level of intensity a notch in the second period, but UVa crushed WFU’s spirits by scoring another goal, this time at 54:03 when Kirk Dinnall sent a pass upfield to a streaking Cristman. Cristman gathered Dinnall’s feed and beat Wake Forest goalkeeper William Hesmer with a one-timer that proved to be the game-winning goal. Cristman’s score made the contest 2-0. The goal was Cristman’s second of the season, and both were game-winners.
The Demon Deacons finally got on the scoreboard at 69:11 when Stephen Keel sent a cross into the box that teammate Adam Hakes headed into the goal for WFU’s lone score of the match, cutting UVa’s lead to 2-1. However, Wake Forest was unable to score the game-tying marker, and the Cavaliers pulled out the one-goal victory.
UVa goalkeeper Ryan Best only made one save, but it was a big one, as WFU only had two shots on goal for the entire match. The Demon Deacons’ Hesmer made a game-high five stops and was aided by his teammates with one team save in a losing effort.
With the victory, Virginia’s record improves to 2-3 overall, 1-0-0 in the ACC. The loss drops Wake Forest’s record to 3-1-0 overall, 0-1-0 in the conference. UVa is now 25-3-4 all-time against WFU in men’s soccer and has beaten the Demon Deacons for the second consecutive time while they were undefeated on the season.
The Cavaliers will return to home action on Wednesday, September 17th when UVa hosts the Mount Saint Mary’s Mountaineers in a non-conference match. The contest is scheduled to begin at 7:00 PM at Virginia’s Kl?ckner Stadium. The Demon Deacons will return to home action on Tuesday, September 16th when Wake Forest hosts the George Mason Patriots in a non-conference match. The contest is scheduled to begin at 7:00 PM at WFU’s Spry Stadium.
Scoring 1 2 FWake Forest (3-1-0, 0-1-0 ACC) 0 1 1Virginia (2-3-0, 1-0-0 ACC) 1 1 2
Goals: Virginia 2 - Matt Oliver @ 38:30 (Phillip Long), Adam Cristman @ 54:03 (Kirk Dinnall).Wake Forest 1 - Adam Hakes @ 69:11 (Stephen Keel).Shots: Virginia - 17, Wake Forest 7.Corner Kicks: Virginia - 5, Wake Forest 1.Saves: Wake Forest 6 (Hesmer 5, Team 1). Virginia - 1 (Best).Fouls: Virginia - 17, Wake Forest 12.Offsides: Virginia - 7, Wake Forest 1.Cautions: Virginia 3 - Hunter Freeman, Jeff Tuman, Adam Cristman.Wake Forest 1 - Kelvin Jones.Attendance: 1,794.
— UVa —