The Virginia men's soccer team ended its regular season on a disappointing note Friday night, losing to No. 12 Virginia Commonwealth at Klöckner Stadium. It was the first time in 21 meetings that the Rams had defeated the Cavaliers.
Throughout the game, Virginia put strong offensive pressure on VCU, getting off 16 shots and forcing the Rams' goalie to make four saves. Of the 16 shots, freshman forward Adam Cristman took six.
"The guy getting most of our chances is a freshman," Virginia coach George Gelnovatch said. "I think next year he probably puts it away -- that's the nature of the beast, but he's doing great."
After a scoreless first half, the Rams gained the lead less than four minutes after the break. When the VCU offense got the ball into Virginia's goal box, VCU forward McColm Cephas drilled it past freshman goalie Ryan Burke with an impressive flip-kick.
Virginia has struggled throughout the season coming back from behind, but it took less than a minute for the Cavaliers to respond to the VCU goal. At 49:04, junior midfielder Zane Hill scored with a one-timer off an assist from sophomore defender Hunter Freeman. It was Hill's first collegiate goal.
"I don't think I've ever hit a more relaxed shot in my life," Hill said. "My first goal ever at U.Va. couldn't have come at a better time."
Despite the hope the goal gave to the Cavaliers, they were unable to pull ahead, and the Rams scored the eventual game-winner at 59:27 when forward Matt Delicate kicked in a cross from midfielder Matt Pauls.
Virginia kept up the pressure throughout the rest of the game, taking shots until the final whistle blew.
"I'm proud of our effort," Gelnovatch said. "Nobody's quitting, nobody's putting their head down, we're still trying to play."
The defeat marked Virginia's third consecutive loss and brings the team's overall record to 8-9-0 going into the ACC tournament.
The team's first postseason game will be next Wednesday against Clemson in Cary, N.C. The results of the ACC tournament will determine whether the Cavaliers will make the NCAA tournament. The NCAA Selection Committee's decision is based on team record, conference standings and strength of schedule -- factors that are included in a team's RPI rating.
"I know we stand very well in the RPI, but who knows if we can be under .500 and still get in the [NCAA] tournament," Gelnovatch said. "Our attitude's got to be that we got to try to win two games."
The players understand the importance of the upcoming tournament, especially in light of the loss to VCU.
"Every day is more important when you lose," sophomore defender Paul Johnson said. "We put ourselves in this position, and I'm sure we'll dig ourselves out."
The Cavaliers defeated Clemson at home Oct. 11, 3-2, but are not overly confident about the rematch. The Cavaliers have struggled away from home, losing all four of their games on opponents' home fields. They are 1-1-0 on neutral sites, however, which is slightly more encouraging going into the tournament.
One of the most important goals for the team is to gain an early lead against Clemson, like they did in the October game.
"We have to come out just like we did, go up two goals," Johnson said. "We've got to make a statement."
The Cavaliers have two days to prepare for the Tigers and determine their postseason fate, knowing that a loss against Clemson likely will end Virginia's season and the program's streak of 22 consecutive NCAA tournament berths.
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