Cavaliers Top George Mason, 1-0, in Final Exhibition

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CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The Virginia men’s soccer team finished its exhibition schedule with a 1-0 win over George Mason Friday at Klöckner Stadium.

UVa will have its final tuneup for the regular season at 6 p.m. Monday when it plays the Orange and Blue Scrimmage at Klöckner Stadium. Admission to the event is free. Ranked 14th in the preseason Top Drawer Soccer rankings and 22nd in the preseason NSCAA poll, the Cavaliers kick off their regular season at 5 p.m. Aug. 26 against West Virginia in Germantown, Md.

Virginia connected for the game’s only score in the 29th minute. Will Bates beat his defenders down the right flank, then served the ball to the top of the box, where Ari Dimas ripped a one-timer into the back of the net past goalkeeper Dustin Butcher. It marked Dimas’ second goal in the exhibition season.

UVa freshman goalkeeper Spencer LaCivita was solid, making three saves and recording the shutout. George Mason held a 14-12 edge in shots, although UVa out-shot the Patriots 7-5 in the first half. Both teams put three shots on goal. UVa recorded five corner kicks to three for GMU.

Bates took three shots for UVa, while Dimas recorded two shots — both on goal.

GMU nearly posted the equalizer in the 86th minute, but LaCivita smothered a close attempt from A.J. Sheta to keep the shutout and lead in tact.