Virginia Secures 1-0 Victory Over Iona in Season Opener

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The Virginia men’s soccer team (1-0) opened its 80^th season on Thursday night (Aug. 24) at Klöckner Stadium with a 1-0 victory over Iona (0-1) as a relentless Cavalier attack broke through thanks to Daniel Mangarov’s game-winning goal off the bench.

Goals (Assists):
70’ — Mangarov (Afonso, Thiam)

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• The two teams battled to keep the ball early on, but as Virginia grew into the game, it was the Cavaliers controlling the vast majority of possession.
• In the 14^th minute of play, Virginia registered its first of many dangerous chances. Carrying the ball from the right wing, Elias Norris rifled a low shot from outside the penalty area, but the diving hand of the Iona goalkeeper kept the game scoreless.
• The Cavaliers came close to breaking the deadlock once again just three minutes later when Reese Miller chipped a ball across the frame of the goal where a header from Axel Ahlander deflected off the right post.
• By the end of the first half, Virginia had taken 12 shots with six on target, but had yet to score the opening goal.
• Virginia picked up right where it left off at the start of the second half. After slicing through the Iona back line with a pass to Mouhameth Thiam, Mangarov received the return pass with just the goalkeeper to beat, but his shot sailed over the bar.
• In the 70^th minute, the Cavaliers broke the deadlock. Receiving the ball in the center of the penalty area, Thiam played a square ball into Leo Afonso who intelligently flicked it back to Mangarov. The senior midfielder took this chance cleanly as the ball struck the right post before bouncing in.

67′ GOALLLLLLLLLLLL🚨

Mangarov breaks the deadlock to give the Hoos the lead!

UVA 1, Iona 0#GoHoos⚔️ pic.twitter.com/JNxGNUCBUz

— Virginia Men’s Soccer (@UVAMenSoccer) August 24, 2023

FROM HEAD COACH GEORGE GELNOVATCH
“I thought the quality of our chances were really good tonight, and I can’t wait to watch our goal back. There is a lot to build on from what we showed tonight. By the way, I have to give Iona credit. They are a good team. They were in their conference final last year and returned a lot of those guys from that squad. They’re going to be a postseason contender.”

ADDITIONAL NOTES:

• For the game, Virginia outshot the Gaels by a margin of 24-4
• Virginia placed a total of 13 shots on goal compared to Iona’s one
• Danny Mangarov recorded the eighth goal of his collegiate career—it was his fourth game-winner (four goals, and two game-winners at Virginia)
• Mouhameth Thiam recorded his first assist as a Cavalier
• Leo Afonso contributed an assist
• Holden Brown recorded the 12^th shutout of his career
• Virginia took six corner kicks compared and conceded zero to Iona
• The Cavaliers possessed 57-percent of the ball
• Virginia improves to 21-7 under George Gelnovatch in season-opening matches

Up Next:
Virginia is back in action Sunday (Aug. 27) as the Cavaliers welcome Loyola Marymount to Klöckner Stadium for a 7 p.m. kickoff.