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Virginia Nets Three in Win Over No. 8 Louisville

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CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The Virginia men’s soccer team (6-3-1, 2-2 ACC) rolled past No. 8 Louisville (6-2-1, 1-2-1 ACC) by a score of 3-0 Friday night (Sept. 29) at Klöckner Stadium as the Cavaliers turned in an extraordinary team performance in which three different players found the back of the net.

Goals (Assists):
17’ Virginia — Annor (Miller, Thiam)
31’ Virginia — Mangarov (Wiese)
71’ Virginia — Ubogu (O’Connor)

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• The match started as a cagey affair while the teams sized up one another. Louisville controlled much of the possession in the first 10 minutes of the game forcing Virginia into its own end.

• Once the Cavaliers got their legs under them, the tides turned fast. With less than 17 minutes down Virginia struck quickly after an impressive piece of build-up play. Mouhameth Thiam received the ball just across midfield and threaded a beautiful pass into Reese Miller. With one left-footed touch, Miller put the ball at the feet of Stephen Annor in the six-yard box who struck for 1-0.

• The game was turned on its head at this point as Virginia began to impose its style of play on its opponents, possessing the ball and applying intense pressure when they lost it.

• With just over half an hour played, Virginia doubled its advantage. This time it was Daniel Mangarov who cut in on his left foot and tucked a low shot inside the near post from 17 yards out to put the Cavaliers up 2-0 going into the half.

• Just before the hour mark, it looked as though Louisville had found a lifeline. Ethan Subachan was in behind the Virginia line with just goalkeeper Joey Batrouni to beat, but his strike intended for the far post, was stopped by Batrouni who covered up the ball in the area.

• Virginia put the game away with just 20 minutes remaining when center back Aidan O’Connor picked out Kome Ubogu from his own half of the field. Ubogu took his chance with composure and slotted it in to seal a 3-0 Cavalier victory.

FROM HEAD COACH GEORGE GELNOVATCH:
“Our record and our team’s performance this season hasn’t necessarily reflected how good we are. I thought today was the best total team performance we have put together this season. The thing now is to build on this belief. We have a very good Hofstra team coming in here on Tuesday that we have to prepare for.”

ADDITIONAL NOTES:

  • Stephen Annor scored his fifth goal in as many games
  • Annor’s goal was his third game-winning strike of the season
  • Kome Ubogu notched his first goal of the season while Danny Mangarov scored his second
  • Mouhameth Thiam and Paul Wiese each recorded their third assists of the season and now lead the team in the category
  • Aidan O’Connor tallied the first assist of his collegiate career while Reese Miller set up his first of the season
  • Joey Batrouni recorded his second consecutive clean sheet
  • Virginia improves to 6-1 at home this season and have won five consecutive matches at Klöckner Stadium
  • The Cavaliers are now 2-2 in ACC play with a total of six points
  • The score line marks the second occasion this season on which the Cavaliers scored three goals
  • Virginia outshot Louisville by a margin of 16-7 

Up Next:
The Cavaliers return to Klöckner Stadium on Tuesday (Oct. 3) when Virginia hosts No. 19 Hofstra in non-conference action. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

Highlights from Virginia's 3-0 win over No. 8 Louisville 9.29.23

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