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Cristman's Hat Trick Lifts No. 2 Virginia to a 3-1 Win over Hokies
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Oct. 20, 2006
BLACKSBURG, Va. – – Senior forward Adam Cristman registered the first hat trick since 2000 by a Cavalier to lead No. 2 Virginia to a 3-1 win over No. 19 Virginia Tech (10-5-1, 2-4-1 ACC) in front of a record crowd of 2,711 fans at the Hokie Soccer Stadium Friday night. Cristman’s hat trick was the first one in 142 games for Virginia (13-2-0, 5-2-0 ACC), who increased its lead in the Comcast Commonwealth Challenge, 2.5-.5.
“This was a total team effort tonight,” UVa head coach George Gelnovatch said. “We fought hard, and Adam (Cristman) played inspired. It’s tough to play on the road in this conference. Our fans were very vocal, which helped us in this win.”
Cristman scored the game-winner in the 82nd minute. Matt Poole played a perfect ball up the middle behind the Virginia Tech defense. Cristman ran down Poole’s pass and beat the Hokie goalkeeper from 16 yards out putting UVa ahead, 2-1.
Cristman’s third goal came four minutes later. Holder found him streaking over the middle on the breakaway. He dribbled right and slipped a shot into the left corner of the goal putting the Cavaliers ahead, 3-1.
“I’m still in shock,” Cristman said. “We played well as a team tonight. We fell behind. We picked the ball up and said we were going to get back in this. It’s an unbelievable feeling to score a hat trick. Hopefully, this jumpstarts us again as we get ready for the second half of our season.”
Cristman answered Virginia’s Tech early score when he headed in a Nico Colaluca corner kick 43 seconds after the Hokies scored their first goal tying the game, 1-1, at the 57:21 mark.
Virginia Tech took the early 1-0 lead at the 56:38 mark. Ben Nason crossed a ball into the box that Brad Collins shot. His shot deflected off a UVa defender putting Virginia Tech ahead.
Virginia had a golden opportunity in the 55th minute when Yannick Reyering’s header hit off the cross bar.
The teams played to a scoreless tie in the first half. Cristman had two chances in the first 10 minutes, but both of his shots were saved by VT goalkeeper Drew Czekanski. Jonathan Villanueva tried to put the Cavaliers ahead in the 33rd minute, but his shot hit the cross bar.
Virginia out-shot Virginia Tech, 15-7, and held an 8-4 advantage on corner kicks. Burke allowed one goal in 90 minutes for the Cavaliers.
The Cavaliers will wrap up their regular season next Friday when UVa hosts Wake Forest at 8 p.m. at Klockner Stadium on senior night. The game will be nationally televised on Fox Soccer Channel.