Virginia Ends Regular Season With 1-0 Loss to Virginia Tech
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – A first half goal by Daniel Pereira was enough for Virginia Tech (3-1-2, 3-1-2 ACC) to come away with a 1-0 victory over Virginia (2-3-1, 2-3-1 ACC) at Klöckner Stadium on Friday night (Nov. 6). The Cavaliers will await the result of the Louisville and Notre Dame match later this evening to determine their seed for the ACC Tournament.
In the 32nd minute, Pereira broke the stalemate with his first goal of the season. His shot from the top of the box ricocheted off of a Cavalier defender, crossing up Cavalier goalkeeper Alex Rando (New York, N.Y.), leaving the shot uncontested. The first half score was the third allowed by Virginia in its six-game regular season.
“Not a lot of positives in this game to be perfectly honest,” head coach George Gelnovatch said. “You know, we certainly didn’t deserve to win the game and I don’t know if we deserved to lose it. The goal was kind of one of those one of those deflections that happens in soccer but we certainly didn’t deserve to win the game.”
The loss to Hokies was the first since Oct. 29, 2005 and snaps Virginia’s 16-game unbeaten streak against its Commonwealth counterpart.
Rando made his third-straight start in goal for the Cavaliers and made two saves, one in each half. His brilliant diving second half stop on a Kristo Strickler shot attempt in the 32nd was crucial in keeping Virginia within a score.
Virginia Tech held a 12-10 edge in shots with three landing on target. Each team attempted four corner kicks in the contest.
Sophomore Philip Horton (New Albany, Ohio) led the Cavaliers with three shots. The Cavalier striker had chances in the 52nd minute and the 83rd minute that went just wide of the post.
The 2020 ACC Tournament will take place Nov. 15-22 with quarterfinal, semifinal and the championship occurring in the seven-day span.
Additional Notes
- The Cavaliers hold a 41-5-6 advantage in an all-time series that began in 1960.
- Virginia closed its regular season with a 2-2 record at Klöckner Stadium.
- Redshirt freshman Eben Noverr (Highlands Ranch, Colo.) made his collegiate debut, logging four minutes. He is the 11th different player to make his debut in a Cavalier uniform this season.
- Senior Irakoze Donasiyano (Roanoke, Va.) made his 47th consecutive start, the longest active streak on the team, and played all 90 minutes in the loss.
- Virginia Tech was shown five yellow cards in the contest compared to one by the Cavaliers.