Substitutes Spark 2-1 Comeback Win Over No. 21 NC State

RALEIGH, N.C. — Second-half substitutes Triton Beauvois and David Okorie combined to score a pair of goals as the Virginia men’s soccer team came from behind to defeat No. 21 NC State by a score of 2-1 on Friday night (Nov. 6) at Dail Soccer Stadium. Ninth-seeded Virginia (9-5-3) advances to the ACC quarterfinal round for the third consecutive season after eliminating the eighth-seeded Wolfpack (9-3-5).

Goals (Assist)
36’ NC State — Healy (Donovan, Tcheuyap)
72’ Virginia — Beauvois (Wiese)
73’ Virginia — Okorie (Beauvois)

How it Happened:

• After a cagey opening 20 minutes, the Cavaliers registered a pair of scoring chances in the first half but were ultimately outshot by the Wolfpack by a margin of 6-2.
• NC State would break through in the 36^th Phillip Donovan flicked a pass from the top of the penalty area on to Taig Healy who finished low at the far post giving the Wolfpack a 1-0 advantage that it would take to the halftime break.
• Five minutes past the hour mark, the Wolfpack had an opportunity to double its lead as Henrique Santos worked the ball back to Haley at the top of the box. A well-struck attempt was driven to the goal, but the strong left hand of a diving Tom Miles pushed the ball out of harm’s way.
• Entering the game at the start of the second half, it was Triton Beauvois who would pull the Cavaliers back to level terms. Paul Wiese served up a curling cross with pinpoint accuracy as Beauvois headed the ball past the goalkeeper with power for 1-1.

• Just 20 seconds later, Virginia had completely flipped the game on its head as David Okorie, another Cavalier substitute, placed a low effort inside the far post off a cross from Beauvois to give the Cavaliers a 2-1 lead.

• In a frantic final two minutes of play, Miles was called upon to make another crucial save while center back Nick Dang came up with a game-saving goal-line clearance to secure the 2-1 victory and book Virginia’s place in the quarterfinals.

With the Win:

• The Cavaliers have won seven of their last eight games
• Virginia records its first comeback win in an ACC Tournament game since a 3-1 win over Clemson in the ACC Championship Game (11/17/19)
• The Cavaliers have reached the quarterfinal round of the ACC Tournament for the third-consecutive season
• Virginia improves to 47-20-14 all-time in the ACC Tournament
• UVA records its second comeback victory of the season

Additional Notes:

• Triton Beauvois recorded his first goal of the season to tie the game at 1-1
• Beauvois’ last goal came in 2022, a game-winning strike to top then-No. 18 Clemson (10/15/22)
• With three points on the night (1g, 1a), Beauvois set a career-high mark
• David Okorie scored the first goal of his career which served as the game’s winning goal
• Paul Wiese notched his 25^th career assist and is now tied for 7^th all-time at UVA
• Wiese’s eight assists on the season leads the team and ranks second in the ACC
• Tom Miles made a season-high three saves on the night while playing the entire second half

From Head Coach George Gelnovatch:
“We decided to show them something different to start the game – obviously we weren’t counting on getting scored on. In the second half, we switched back to a more aggressive shape and probably caught them off guard and we were able to capitalize. I was impressed with the great winning spirit and contribution from guys that came off the bench like Triton, David and Tom.” 

Up Next:
The Cavaliers advance to the second round of the ACC Men’s Soccer Championship and will travel to top-seeded Pittsburgh on Sunday (Nov. 10) at Ambrose Urbanic Field. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. on ACC Network.