Virginia Defeats West Virginia, 2-1, In Exhibition

Story Links

MORGANTOWN, W. Va. In its first of two preseason exhibition matches, the Virginia men’s soccer team topped West Virginia, 2-1, Saturday night at Dick Dlesk Stadium.

West Virginia held a 1-0 lead at halftime. The Cavaliers’ first goal in the second half came at the 50:49 mark. Tony Tchani took a through ball up the middle and took a shot from inside the 18-yard box, blasting it past Mountaineer goalkeeper Ryan Chance, knotting the game at one apiece.

Just more than seven minutes later, Virginia scored the go-ahead goal. Ross LaBauex dribbled the ball up the middle of the field and found Matt Mitchell on the right wing. Mitchell struck the ball from just inside the 18-yard box for the game winner.

Michael Giallombardo got the start in goal for Virginia and recorded a save.

“I thought we had a good day all things considered,” head coach George Gelnovatch said. “It was a tough road environment and everybody played so we saw a lot of different things.”

The Mountaineers outshot the Cavaliers, 13-10 and also had the advantage in corner kicks, 3-1.

The Cavaliers return home to play their final exhibition game of the preseason on Saturday, Aug. 23, as they host Old Dominion at Klckner Stadium. Kick-off is slated for 7 p.m.