The Cavaliers ended their preseason exhibition match against the American University Eagles with a scoreless tie last night.
For much of the game the Cavaliers controlled the ball, keeping it on the American side of the midfield line with constant offensive pressure. Much of that pressure came from the new face in the front -- freshman Yannick Reyering.
At six feet, five inches, Reyering was a commanding physical force in the center of the front line, creating several scoring opportunities with well-placed headers and through balls.
"I have to use it [height] as an advantage," Reyering said. "I'm not as fast as other players and my strengths are in the air."
Reyering, who hails from Mettingen, Germany, was the only freshman starter for Virginia.
Despite their ability to create a number of good opportunities, the Cavaliers failed to put one in the back of the net. Coach George Gelnovatch said that struggling to finish is a symptom of the need for preseason fine-tuning.
"We're just coming out of preseason," Gelnovatch said. "Our final pass was off -- it's just little things that you have to roll with because it's preseason."
Virginia's finishing problem was exacerbated by the fact that the team's leading goal scorer was sidelined, riding out the tail end of an injury. Junior Adam Cristman is expected to return in the first game of the regular season.
The loss of last season's entire starting defensive line has been a big question mark heading in the last few months, but the Cavaliers seem to have worked many of the kinks out. While the young line had a couple brief periods of hesitancy and miscommunication, they managed to keep the Eagles scoreless.
Sophomore Chris Tierney, Matt Poole and Zola Short and junior transfer Lee Sandwina started in the backfield and Tierney says the line is still working to feel comfortable in their new roles.
"We're all a little nervous out there; we're trying to play safe; trying not to get beat," Tierney said. "But more games will get us more confidence and we'll be able to play more naturally.
Also, Virginia may have found its new defensive leader in junior transfer Lee Sandwina whose speed and decisiveness was apparent in several plays last night.
"If a leader might emerge I think it's going be him because he's a big, imposing figure back there," Tierney said.
While much of the starting lineup from last year was shaken up due to the changes in the back, some familiar faces continued to play crucial roles for the Cavaliers.
Sophomore Jeremy Barlow and Nico Colaluca were key in pushing the ball forward for the Cavaliers, making offensive opportunities from the midfield and taking shots when pushed forward. Senior Joe Vide also came in late in the game but had some good looks at goal.
Freshman Nino DiMaggio had one of the game's best scoring opportunities in the last two minutes of the contest. After breaking open in front of the goal, DiMaggio fired a low, hard ball, which was deflected by the keeper. DiMaggio's second-chance shot went narrowly wide on the left.
After ending their preseason with one tie and one win, the Cavaliers are ready to start the regular season with a trip to California next Friday.
This article mistakenly called freshman Nino Dimaggio as Nico Dimaggio.
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