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CHARLOTTESVILLE The Virginia men’s soccer team, winners of three-straight games and undefeated in ACC play, heads to North Carolina Friday night for a 7 p.m. match. The contest will be streamed over the internet on ACC Select. To access the webcast, click here.
Virginia (5-3-0, 2-0-0 ACC) is coming off of a road victory at Virginia Tech, 2-1, last Friday. The Cavaliers got two goals from midfielder Matt Mitchell, including the game-winner in the 80th minute, to win their third-straight contest and remain unbeaten in the conference.
Mitchell is one of five Cavaliers with multiple goals this year. Freshman Tony Tchani leads the squad with seven goals and two assists for 16 points, while fellow first-year Chris Agorsor had tallied four goals before suffering a season-ending knee injury during UVa’s match-up vs. Central Connecticut State (Sept. 23). Mitchell’s three goals are the third-best total, while Jimmy Simpson and Brian Ownby have each scored twice this year.
With two victories in league play, the Cavaliers have already surpassed their ACC win total from a season ago (UVa finished 1-5-2 in the ACC in 2007), and are receiving votes in the latest National Soccer Coaches Association of America top 25 poll (released Sept. 30).
North Carolina (8-1-1, 1-1-0) is currently ranked No. 12 in both the NSCAA and Soccer America top 25. The Tar Heels are unbeaten at home with a 6-0-0 record at Fetzer Field and are led by Eddie Ababio (seven goals, four assists) and Brian Shriver (seven goals, one assist). In goal for UNC, Jacob Wescoe has started eight games and allowed five goals, while Brooks Haggerty has made the other two starts and allowed five goals.
North Carolina’s conference loss came at the hands of Boston College, 4-1, while the Tar Heels defeated NC State, 2-1, for their ACC win. UNC was picked to finish fourth in the ACC.
In the all-time series with UNC, Virginia has a 33-33-7 record. Last season, the Cavaliers came away with a 2-1 victory in Charlottesville.
On deck for UVa is a two-game homestand. Liberty visits Klckner Stadium on Tuesday, Oct. 7, at 7 p.m., followed by a conference match with Clemson on Friday, Oct. 10, at 7 p.m.