The Cavaliers experienced a small dose of what lies ahead in their schedule as they overcame a resilient Saint Francis team to win 3-1 at Klöckner Stadium on Tuesday. The win was No. 15 Virginia's fifth-straight victory which improved the Cavaliers to a season record of 10-2-0. In what was for the most part a scrappy match, Virginia found it hard to find any offensive rhythm against a physical Terrier unit that played disciplined defense.
Saint Francis midfielder Carlos Moncaleano turned the game around with the match tied at one goal apiece, but not in the direction his team would have hoped. Moncaleano was sent off for an off-ball incident 10 minutes into the second half following a series of nasty tackles by both sides. Moncaleano's red card marked the second time in Virginia's five-game home series that a player from the opposing team was sent off. Lacking an effective offensive game plan, the 10-man Saint Francis squad struggled and found itself playing catch-up as Virginia picked up the pace.
The Terriers started the brighter of the two teams, easily controlling the midfield and scoring just six minutes into the game when Peter Ramirez tapped a loose ball in the penalty box after a defensive mixup had initially left him unmarked in the penalty area.
"I was kind off caught out of position," junior defender Hunter Freeman said. "It was kind of a fluky goal. To be honest I didn't see when the ball was crossed."
The goal served as a wake up call for the slumbering Cavaliers, and they slowly got themselves back into game. Freeman registered his 12th assist of the season when his free kick was met by the head of defender Jeff Tuman to level the match.
"People just keep finishing my crosses," Freeman said. "I just try to put it in the right place and hopefully someone will put it in."
Tuman's goal showcased Virginia's dominance in the air this season, a statistic Virginia coach George Gelnovatch attributes to the team's overall improvement in restarts.
Even though the team entered the break level, Gelnovatch was not impressed with his team's performance.
"The first half was very poor and not acceptable for our team," Gelnovatch said. "It might work for us. With the tougher part of our schedule coming up this was a good kick in the pants."
Virginia improved its overall play in the second period but found clear opportunities hard to come by until the sending off of Moncaleano changed the complexion of the game. The Cavaliers dormant midfield was finally able to run roughshod over a tiring St. Francis defense. Freshman David Rosenbaum, coming off of the bench, made the one-man advantage count when he snuck into box and clinically finished a John Hartman cross to give Virginia a 2-1 lead in the 63rd minute. The goal was not only Rosenbaum's first collegiate goal, but incidentally his first shot as well. He became the ninth different player to score a game winning goal this season for Virginia.
"Coming into the game you do feel the bugs a bit but the altercations on the field get you pumped and motivated," Rosenbaum said.
Another freshman, Chris Tierney, made the game safe when he headed home a ball, assisted by Freeman and Mike Littlefield with 13 minutes left in the game to give the Cavaliers a two goal cushion which they wouldn't relinquish.
Virginia embarks on a road mission at Clemson on Sunday after enjoying five straight home games.
Read More
Katie Grimes posts historic debut as women’s swimming and diving annihilates Virginia Tech
By Xander Tilock | YesterdayGrimes broke out as a new superstar for Coach Todd DeSorbo's squad.
Women’s basketball displays stingy defense, but falls short versus No. 14 Duke
By Xander Tilock | YesterdayThe Cavaliers nearly conquered a ranked rival but could not generate consistent offense.
You cannot say money is the problem for Virginia football
By Peter Kriebel | YesterdayMoney, after all, is just one aspect of a winning program.
