Virginia Puts Three Past Syracuse, Extends Win Streak to Five

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — Fueled by a quick start, the Virginia men’s soccer team (7-4-3, 3-2-2 ACC) defeated Syracuse (6-5-3, 1-3-2 ACC) by a score of 3-0 on Saturday night (Oct. 19) at Klöckner Stadium. UVA’s Victor Akoum and Joaquìn Brizuela each scored the first goals of their careers as the Cavaliers increased their winning streak to five consecutive games, its longest since the 2019 season. 

Goals (Assist)
10’ Virginia – Akoum
16’ Virginia – Brizuela (Mangarov, Wiese)
58’ Virginia – Dang (Mangarov) 

How it Happened:  

• The Cavaliers dominated from the opening whistle. Just 10 minutes into the game, Victor Akoum made a long run on the ball as space opened up in front of him. Just feet outside the 18-yard box, the sophomore unleashed a rocked to the near post to give Virginia and early 1-0 lead.  

• Virginia wasted no time in its pursuit of a second goal Paul Wiese played Danny Mangarov in behind the Syracuse defense. Mangarov put his low cross right to the feet of Joaquìn Brizuela, who made no mistake and tapped it home for 2-0. The Cavaliers would take that advantage into the halftime break. 

• As the game approached the hour mark, Danny Mangarov stood over a free kick from 15 yards outside the penalty area. Lifted his attempt into a dangerous area just outside the six-yard-box. After it was knocked down by a Syracuse defender, Nick Dang was there to blast it past the goalkeeper to all but seal the game for Virginia at 3-0.  

• Minutes later Syracuse’s Sam Layton was shown a second yellow card putting the Orange down to 10 men with just over 20 minutes remaining. Virginia would go on to secure its third clean sheet in four games sealing the 3-0 victory. 

With the Win: 

• Virginia improves to 6-2-3 all-time against the Orange and are unbeaten in their last four meetings against Syracuse.  

• The Cavaliers increase their winning streak to five consecutive games, the first run of five straight wins since the 2019 season 

• Virginia’s five-game winning streak is the third-longest active streak in NCAA Division I 

Additional Notes:  

• With his 23rd career assist, Paul Wiese is now tied for  

• Virginia is 4-0 when scoring at least two goals in 2024 

• Victor Akoum and Danny Mangarov each scored their first career goals in the match 

• Nick Dang scored his sixth goal of the season to lead the team 

• Dang’s goal tally is the most among all defenders in NCAA Division I 

• Danny Mangarov delivered a career-high two assists 

• The Cavaliers kept their fifth clean sheet of the season and have shutout three of their last four opponents 

• Virginia has scored three or more goals in four games this season 

• The Cavaliers are 5-0-0 when scoring at least two goals in a game this season 

From Head Coach George Gelnovatch
“What our team has done over these past five games has been really impressive. For what we went through to where we are now, I give a lot of credit to our team. This win was a great win from start to finish. We scored early, the game played out tactically the way we thought it would, and guys executed. Then in the second half getting that third goal and taking control of the game was really important and our guys did a great job.” 

Up Next: 

The Cavaliers will be back in action on Friday (Oct. 25) when they travel to No. 4 Pitt at Ambrose Urbanic Field. Kickoff at is set for 7 p.m. on ACCNX.