Cavaliers Defeat Mary Washington in Regular Season Finale

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — The Virginia men’s soccer team (8-5-3, 3-3-2 ACC) wrapped its regular season with a 4-2 win over Mary Washington (15-1-1) on Wednesday evening (Oct. 30). The win at Klöckner Stadium featured a two-goal performance from Joaquìn Brizuela who scored in his third consecutive game.

Goals (Assist)
25’ Virginia – Own Goal
38’ Virginia – Brizuela (Wiese, Cordova)
41’ Virginia – Brizuela (Cordova)
52’ Mary Washington – Dubose (Amorose)
72’ Mary Washington – Berg (PK)
80’ Virginia – Lambe (PK)

How it Happened:

• After 25 minutes of play, the Cavaliers took a 1-0 advantage after a back pass from Mary Washington ended up in the back of the Eagle net.
• As halftime approached, Virginia doubled its advantage after a quick exchange of passes between Paul Wiese and Cesar Cordova off a throw in. Wiese lifted a cross to the head of Joaquìn Brizuela who directed it goalward for 2-0.

• Brizuela would net a brace just three minutes later as Cesar Cordova put on an impressive display of footwork deep inside the penalty area before cutting back a pass for Brizuela to thunder into the roof of the net to give his team a 3-0 advantage heading into the halftime break.

• Just past the 50-minute mark, the Eagles would pull a goal back as Jared Dubose collected a pass at the top of the penalty area and placed his chance inside the near post.
• In the 72^nd minute of play, Mary Washington was awarded a penalty for a foul at the top of the penalty area. Elliot Berg converted his chance from the spot to pull the Eagles back within a goal at 3-2.
• With just 10 minutes to play, Virginia’s Grant Howard was taken down by an Eagle defender just yards in front of the goal. The Cavaliers were awarded a penalty kick which was converted by Brendan Lambe for 4-2.

Additional Notes:

• Joaquìn Brizuela netted his first career brace and has scored four goals in three games
• Brizuela is the only Cavalier to score in three consecutive games this season
• Brizuela joins Reese Miller and Kome Ubogu as the only Cavaliers to register multi-goal games in 2024
• Brendan Lambe scored his first career goal on a penalty kick
• Cesar Cordova tallied his first career points with two assists in the contest
• With his 24^th career assist, Paul Wiese moves into a tie for eighth all-time at Virginia
• The Cavaliers netted three goals in the opening half of a game for the first time since a 4-0 win over Rider (8/29/22)

From Head Coach George Gelnovatch:
“With this game, we took the approach of using it as a way to get ready for the postseason. Scoring four goals and getting the win helps. We have played a couple teams like Mary Washington, and they are a Division I caliber team. There is a reason why they are the No. 1 team in Division III, so I give them a lot of credit.”

Up Next:
The Cavaliers will be back in action on Wednesday (Nov. 6) when they open ACC tournament play. Virginia will await its seed and matchup after conference play concludes on Friday (Nov. 1).