Ubogu Nets a Brace, Virginia Rallies for 4-2 Win

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — Facing a two-goal deficit just 13 minutes in, the Virginia men’s soccer team (6-4-3) scored four unanswered goals to defeat American (3-5-5) by a score of 4-2 on Tuesday night (Oct. 15) at Klöckner Stadium. Kome Ubogu’s second career brace fueled UVA’s first victory following a multi-goal deficit since 2012.

Goals (Assist)
6’ American – Davis
13’ American – Hershey (Elgersma, Snowdon)
19’ Virginia – Dang (Wiese)
48’ Virginia – Ubogu (Okorie, Mangarov)
53’ Virginia – Burns (Howard, Ubogu)
61’ Virginia – Ubogu (Parvu, Gashi)

How it Happened:

• The Cavaliers faced an early 1-0 deficit as American took advantage of a quick developing chance following a throw in. After an impressive one-on-one save from Joey Batrouni, Toshi Davis directed a rebound into the back of the UVA net with just over five minutes played in the game.
• In the 13^th minute, the Virginia deficit grew to two. Following a high American press, Samuel Hershey was played in with only Batrouni to beat and finished his chance for 2-0.
• Facing its largest deficit of the season, Virginia responded in the 18^th minute from a corner kick. Paul Wiese sent an in-swinging ball to a dangerous area where it was deflected by the goalkeeper and headed home by Nick Dang. The Cavaliers would enter the halftime break trailing by a score of 2-1.

• In a lightning-quick start to the second half, Danny Mangarov played an intelligent ball into the penalty area for David Okorie to cut back to Kome Ubogu. With a perfectly placed one-touch effort, Ubogu lifted his shot into the back of the net and the Cavaliers were back on level terms just 2:29 into the second half.

• Five minutes later, Virginia had its third. An intricate piece of passing saw Mangarov find Ubogu in the penalty area who played it through to Grant Howard. With one touch, Howard put a low cross to the feet of Luke Burns who scored to give Virginia a 3-2 lead.

• Just past the hour mark, Virginia netted its fourth as Albin Gashi played Alex Parvu down the right wing. With a swing of the right leg, Parvu picked out the run of Ubogu who headed it past the goalkeeper to seal the 4-2 win for the Cavaliers.

With the Win:

• Virginia records its first comeback victory of the season and its first since a 2-1 win over Pitt (10/13/23)
• The Cavaliers recorded a victory after trailing by two goals for the first time since a 3-2 overtime win over Virginia Tech (10/19/2012)
• UVA increases its win streak to four consecutive games
• Virginia improves to 6-4-3 overall and record their fifth win at Klöckner Stadium

Additional Notes:

• Paul Wiese recorded his 22^nd career assist and is now tied for 10^th all-time in UVA history
• Kome Ubogu totaled five points in the match (2g, 1a) to tie a career-high (vs VCU, 9/28/21)
• Ubogu is the first Cavalier to record five points in a single match since Phil Horton in a 3-1 win at Pitt (9/30/22)
• Ubogu’s multi-goal match is the second by a Cavalier in 2024 (Reese Miller, vs SJU 8/29/24)
• Nick Dang scored his fifth goal of the season to lead the team in the category
• David Okorie, Grant Howard, and Alex Parvu each recorded their first career points as all three pitched in assists
• Freshman Luke Burns recorded his second career goal and has scored two goals in under 200 minutes of action in 2024
• The Cavaliers netted four goals in a game for the second time this season
• American’s opening goal is the earliest goal conceded by the Cavaliers this season (5:02)

From Head Coach George Gelnovatch
“It was a real slow start. Sometimes we run into these games after three wins in-a-row and traveling to Boston College and back. They scored two quick goals on us. I would have to think back to remember the last time we went down two goals and won the game, so I give us a lot of credit for that. The changes we made at halftime, to be honest with you, resulted in goals. Alex Parvu, Luke Burns and David Okorie were instrumental in setting up those goals and that’s what you want.”

Up Next:
The Cavaliers will be back in action on Saturday (Oct. 19) when they host Syracuse at Klöckner Stadium. Kickoff at is set for 7 p.m. on ACCNX.