Story Links

CHARLOTTESVILLE – The 16th-ranked Virginia men’s soccer team was edged by No. 19 Duke, 1-0, in double overtime on Friday night at Klöckner Stadium. Daniel Tweed-Kent scored the game-winner in the 101st minute to give the Blue Devils the win in the ACC opener for both teams.

“The only thing missing tonight was winning the game,” Virginia head coach George Gelnovatch said. “Duke was a tough team to deal with and we had chances in the last 15 minutes to win the game.”

Virginia out-shot the Blue Devils, 14-8, and held a 5-4 advantage in corner kicks. The Cavaliers’ best scoring opportunities came in the last third of the second half, as Ahkeel Rodney (Elmont, N.Y.), Jimmy Simpson (Warrenton, Va.), Neil Barlow (Herndon, Va.) and Tony Tchani (Norfolk, Va.) all had close-range shots in the waning minutes of regulation.

Two of Simpson’s shots, in the 74th and 79th minutes, were saved by Duke goalkeeper James Belshaw, while Barlow’s shot in the 76th minute missed just wide.

In the second overtime, Duke’s goal was the result of a flurry of three shots in succession. Ryan Finley shot a ball that was deflected by a Virginia defender, and Cole Grossman gathered the ball at the top of the box and fired a shot on goal. That shot was saved by UVa goalkeeper Diego Restrepo, but the rebound was knocked in by Tweed-Kent.

It was Tweed-Kent’s first goal of the year and Grossman’s third assist.

Restrepo finished with one save, while Belshaw had three for Duke.

Friday night’s crowd of 4,692 was a season high.

Virginia is back in action on Tuesday (Sept. 15) night, when they host Mount St. Mary’s in non-conference action. Kick-off from Belson Stadium is scheduled for 7 p.m.

Print Friendly Version