It may have been the frigid weather, maybe even the intimidating atmosphere of Klöckner. Whatever it was, Virginia (13-2, 4-1 ACC) would love more of it as they overcame a two-goal deficit to win 3-2 over the Duke Blue Devils (13-3, 3-3 ACC) Saturday night.
Midfielder Mike Littlefield became an instant hero when he finished off a Hunter Freeman cross six minutes into overtime, capping an impressive comeback by the Cavaliers and setting off wild celebrations in the stands.
In an entertaining game played at a frenetic pace from the start, both teams found it extremely hard to keep possession and saw early opportunities sail wide of the goal. Duke would draw first blood only five minutes into the game when a well-placed through ball found forward Spencer Wadsworth unmarked in the penalty area. The speedy forward struck a perfect shot off the post from 18 yards out past the onrushing Ryan Burke in Virginia's goal.
"The guy made a good run, and they played a good ball through," senior defender Matt Oliver said. "It was a very good goal."
It wasn't the first time this season Virginia found itself a goal behind early into the match and the Cavaliers slowly took over the game in search of an equalizer. Duke chose not to sit on its lead and was rewarded with a penalty in the 28th minute, which midfielder Blake Camp converted to give the Blue Devils a two-goal cushion. Duke defender Chris Loftus then ignited hopes of a Virginia comeback when he was sent off, after a rash challenge on a Virginia midfielder, for his second caution. This marked the second time in four games a member of the visiting team had been given his marching orders.
Duke defended well for most of the second half, using their superior height and speed to their advantage and slowly frustrated the Cavaliers.
Duke freshman defender Zachary Pope showed he still had a lot to learn in the ACC, when he received a red card for striking a Virginia player to the ground, reducing Duke to only nine men with 10 minutes to play. The Blue Devils were resolute in defense for the next eight minutes until a rare mistake by Duke keeper Justin Trowbridge -- who had a game-high seven saves -- allowed Hartman to nod home a Freeman cross at the far post setting up a wild finish.
With a couple minutes left, Virginia pushed most of their players past midfield in search of an equalizer but were missing a decisive last touch. With just over a minute to go, freshman midfielder Nico Colaluca went on an enterprising run into the box and was brought down by a trio of Blue Devil defenders to earn a penalty kick. Freeman, who would finish with two assists and a goal, showed no nerves as he sent the keeper the wrong way to score the equalizer.
"I am very confident in taking penalty kicks, but I have never been in a position like that before," Freeman said.
Duke looked tired and spent, but almost grabbed the winner in overtime when a well-placed shot by a Duke forward was saved by Burke. Littlefield then got the match winner after some fine work by Virginia's midfield.
"We had to be smart about the balls we were putting into the box," Virginia coach George Gelnovatch said. "We had to be methodical, and I have to give my guys credit that they stayed the course."
Read More
Men's lacrosse triumphs over Towson in historic Houston matchup
By Eleanor Lynch | 19 minutes agoVirginia earned a sorely-needed victory, and established momentum ahead of a pending clash with No. 1 Maryland.
No. 9 Virginia nabs win amid tenuous circumstances in 22-16 run-fest Saturday
By Stephen O'Dea | 32 minutes agoThe Cavaliers made five errors for the first time since 2009, but the offense was able to compensate.
No. 5 men’s tennis falls short against No. 6 NC State in outdoor home opener
By Margaret Piatos | 1 hours agoVirginia lost just a few weeks after hammering the Wolfpack at ITA Indoors.
