No. 3 UVA Records Non-Conference Home Win Over No. 12 Army, 14-9

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va.  – The No. 3 Virginia Cavaliers (2-0) picked up a key non-conference home win over the No. 12 Army West Point Black Knights (0-1) on Sunday afternoon, 14-9. The contest was played at the Lower Turf practice field due to field conditions at Klöckner Stadium.

The Cavaliers won 10-of-13 first-half faceoffs to control possession and alleviate a first-time starter in goal, Bobby Gavin, from a strong Army attack. Gavin, starting for Alex Rode who wasn’t available, allowed four goals on the first four shots he saw from Army. He settled down and shutout Army in the second quarter as UVA held an 8-4 lead going into the intermission.

HOW IT HAPPENED
Army scored first on a Bobby Abshire goal 1:04 into the game. UVA won the next three faceoffs, which resulted in three-straight goals by the Cavaliers, giving UVA a lead (3-1) they never relinquished. Ian Laviano started the UVA scoring with the 100th goal of his career at 13:21 in the first quarter. Matt Moore scored next and Payton Cormier capped the run with a score at 11:36 in the first quarter on a Connor Shellenberger helper.

Army cut UVA’a lead to one goal, 5-4, at the first quarter break after the Black Knights scored twice in the last two minutes of the frame. Aidan Byrnes scored off a Brendan Nichtern helper with 14 seconds left to cap the first quarter.

That was as close as Army would get. The Cavaliers outscored the Black Knights 3-0 in the second quarter on goals by Moore and two by Cormier to cushion UVA’s lead. Cormier’s third goal of the game came with 1.1 seconds left in the first half. UVA’s lead never fell below four goals in the second half as the Cavaliers wrapped up the key home win.

UVA STAT LEADERS
• A Payton Cormier
3 goals, 2 assists

• A Matt Moore
3 goals

• M Charlie Bertrand
1 goals, 2 assists

• A Ian Laviano
2 goals, 1 assist

NOTES
• Laviano became the 18th Cavalier in program history to reach 100 career goals.
• Charlie Bertrand now has a point in all 60 of his career games, which is the longest current streak in the nation.
• Bertrand also has at least one goal in all 60 of his career games.
• UVA played its first all-time game at the “Lower Turf” practice field.
• Bobby Gavin made his first career start in goal for the Cavaliers, making 12 saves.
• UVA played Army for the first time since the 1985 NCAA Tournament and for the first time in the regular season since 1968.

FROM THE LOCKER ROOM
“I’m really impressed with Bobby’s [Gavin] performance, especially considering that the first quarter he didn’t make any saves and all four shots on goal went in. It’s really easy for any player, especially a young player, to get down on themselves. But – just as it’s been said many times in sports – ‘next play mentality, next shot mentality’ – here’s this First Year, who embraced it. Bobby went out there in the second quarter and made some big saves, he got his confidence going, and it really helped liberate the rest of the team. He knew that he didn’t have to be perfect and that he could erase some mistakes. Give Bobby Gavin credit in his first start here at UVA. It did not start well, but he was able to step up and not worry about the start.” – Lars Tiffany

UP NEXT
UVA returns to action on Saturday, Feb. 20 when the Cavaliers head to Baltimore to play Loyola. Faceoff is set for 5 p.m. The game will be streamed on ESPN+.