It was again business as usual Saturday at Klöckner Stadium as the Virginia men's soccer team notched a routine 2-0 victory over N.C. State in its ACC opener. N.C. State rarely threatened Virginia's back four and was unable to repeat the dramatic heroics which saw them earn an unlikely draw against No. 3 North Carolina last Wednesday.
No. 6 Virginia held a 12-3 advantage over the Wolfpack in the last 15 games going into the contest, and the Cavaliers' first half effectively ensured that the Wolfpack were not going to enhance that statistic. In one of its most dominant first-half performances, the Cavaliers clicked on offense and, from the opening whistle, constantly threatened the Wolfpack.
An opening Virginia goal seemed inevitable, and junior forward Adam Cristman put Virginia ahead 10 minutes into the game. The goal was a vintage example of the free-flowing soccer the Cavaliers exhibited in the first half. The enterprising Jeremy Barlow, who gave the Wolfpack fits on the flanks, evaded a couple of tackles to get deep in N.C. State's penalty box. The sophomore midfielder squared the ball to a grateful Christman, who finished from point blank range.
"I am supposed to be the guy that stays up top and makes things happen," Barlow said. "We thought we could take advantage of N.C. State by playing wide."
After the first goal, the writing was certainly on the wall, and N.C. State tried desperately to survive Virginia's offensive barrage. Cristman came close again some minutes later, after good work by Nico Colaluca, but his effort cannoned off the cross bar. The Cavaliers missed a couple of chances before freshman forward Yannick Reyering made the game safe with a header after a fine cross from Colaluca to double Virginia's advantage in the 40th minute.
The goal was Reyering's third in as many games. Virginia's two-pronged attack of Cristman and Reyering has been devastating in the last couple of games, with Virginia playing in a 4-4-2 formation. The potent duo has scored a goal each for three straight games.
"Both of us are big guys," Cristman said. "In a two-man system, I think I do a better job at being able to run off Yannick's flicks."
If Virginia's first half was an example of a beautiful game played at the highest level, then the second can be described as efficient. The Cavaliers might have been guilty of taking their foot off the pedal after the break with the outcome of the game not in doubt.
"2-0 lead is a bit of a dangerous lead," Virginia head coach George Gelnovatch said. "The second half was a little scrappy, but we were just making sure they didn't score."
Virginia came close to a third goal in the early exchanges of the half when Chris Tierney's free kick almost shaved the woodwork.
The Cavaliers' back four was outstanding throughout the game, repelling any Wolfpack advances and also venturing forward to deliver good crosses. In one telling exchange, N.C. State's Aaron King had his sights set on goal after a lucky rebound. Amazingly, Cavalier goalkeeper Ryan Burke chose to remain on his line, trusting his men to catch up with King -- which they did. His trust may not be misplaced as the Cavaliers recorded their fifth straight shutout in five games played this season.
With 10 minutes left and after key Cavalier substitutions, N.C. State began to make a game of it, but it was another case of too little, too late. Virginia would survive the pressure to notch their third straight victory.
"I think we are starting to gain confidence with each game," Gelnovatch said. "This is a very young team, especially the guys at the back."
Virginia's next game is Sept. 25 at Old Dominion.
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