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Sept. 12, 2006

Box Score

Charlottesville, Va. – – Junior midfielder Dane Murphy (Redding, Conn.) knocked in the game-winning goal two minutes into overtime as No. 2 Virginia avoided an upset bid by Saint Francis (Pa.) with a 2-1 win Tuesday night at Klockner Stadium in front of 870 fans. Virginia remained undefeated improving to 6-0-0 while the Red Flash fell to 1-5-0 on the season.

“After we fell behind, our guys stayed focused and we were able to push across a goal to tie and then the eventual game-winner,” UVa head coach George Gelnovatch said. “That was a big lesson in tonight’s game. We were happy to get the win, but we have to turn our focus to Boston College Friday. There are some things we have to work on to help us get ready for this weekend’s game.”

Virginia broke through the Red Flash defense in the 92nd minute for the game-winner. Murphy took control of the ball in the midfield and passed to Matt Ayotte (Midlothian, Va.). Ayotte dribbled forward before finding Murphy inside the left corner of the box. Murphy chipped a shot into the upper right corner of the goal to give UVa the win. It was Ayotte’s first assist of the season.

The Cavaliers tied the game with 26 seconds remaining in regulation. After Virginia was awarded a corner kick, Jeremy Barlow (Herndon, Va.) sent a ball into the box Ian Holder headed it home tying the game, 1-1, at the 89:34 mark. It was Holder’s second goal of the season and second off a Barlow corner kick. He scored in similar fashion in a 2-0 win over George Mason.

Saint Francis took a 1-0 lead in the 74th minute. Jarron Brooks played a nice through ball to Scott Thompson on a breakaway up the right side. Thompson tapped a shot just by UVa goalkeeper Michael Giallombardo for his second goal of the season.

Virginia and Saint Francis played to a scoreless tie in the first half. UVa out-shot the Red Flash, 10-5, in the half. For the game, UVa out-shot Saint Francis, 23-10, and held an 8-3 advantage on corner kicks.

Saint Francis goalkeeper Brad Williams recorded a career-high with 11 saves. Giallombardo picked up his second win in goal for the Cavaliers and finished with two saves.

Virginia returns to action Friday night when the Cavaliers host Boston College at 7:30 p.m. in its Atlantic Coast Conference home opener.

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