After a long season of difficult losses and hard fought victories, Virginia men's soccer had some fun Friday night. And they made sure to take full advantage of the situation, trouncing an underdog Temple squad 6-0. The win not only improved the Cavaliers' overall record to 13-5, but it came with the collaborative efforts of nearly every member of the Virginia team. The victory -- which came on Virginia's senior night -- also maintained the Cavaliers' undefeated home record.
"I told all the guys congratulations on a perfect home season," Coach George Gelnovatch said.
The game truly was a perfect end to the season. With their home stadium packed -- attendance reached 2,234 people -- seven Virginia seniors were honored before the game, and proceeded to step into action once the whistle blew.
Senior forward Ryan Gibbs initiated the Cavaliers' scoring streak with an early goal off a header by senior midfielder Kenny Arena.
Cavalier scoring star Alecko Eskandarian followed suit with a stylish goal nine minutes later, settling Virginia into a lead.
"Gibbs gave me a ball, but it was deflected," junior forward Eskandarian said. "And I didn't want it to be a corner."
The flashy forward tracked down the ball, beat two defenders and placed the ball near post to show the Owls, and the fans, just how good he is.
But a substantial winning streak and a comfortable lead started to make Virginia too at ease.
"Play was a little too casual for me in the first half," Gelnovatch said.
After substituting veterans with younger blood -- many of whom had shaved their heads for the occasion -- the Cavalier squad began to look hungrier and play with more zeal.
Taking a two-goal lead into halftime, Virginia returned with a readiness to deny any Owl attempt at retaliation and a desire to seal the deal.
Freshman midfielder Phillip Long wasted no time adding a pair of goals, followed closely by another from freshman forward Paul Johnson and one from sophomore midfielder Kirk Dinnall.
For the Cavaliers, the victory was a multifaceted success.
The win allowed the Cavaliers to maintain their momentum for the upcoming ACC Tournament, prove to themselves that during that tournament they can rely on their depth as an asset, and provided a final win for Virginia's seniors.
"I didn't think I would be this sad," Gibbs said.
And while he and his classmates certainly are entitled to nostalgia, they also are ready to keep on proving their potency when they face No. 5 Duke next Thursday.
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