Yesterday afternoon, St. John's demonstrated why the preseason polls ranked its men's soccer program among the top 10. Although they fell out of the rankings after a 2-2-1 start, the Red Storm nearly toppled the ninth ranked Virginia men's soccer team.
After more than 90 minutes at a stalemate, sophomore Ross LaBauex's first career goal in sudden death overtime was a golden one.
"To be honest the game was a lot like we thought it would be," Virginia coach George Gelnovatch said. "Everything we put as a challenge to our guys in preparation for this game they stepped up and did."
What both sides lacked in size they made up for in stamina. Indeed, the contest pitted two very fit teams against one another and tested the patience and endurance of both.
Stifled during the first half, the Red Storm offense changed its strategy after halftime. Pushing more men forward, St. John's waited for the Cavaliers to make a mistake on which they could capitalize. It never came.
Indeed Virginia, boasting shutouts in four of its first five games, owed much of yesterday's success to its strong defensive line. As the scoreless draw dragged on, the Cavalier defense refused to give St. John's an inch.
"The four guys in the back, they deserve the credit for the win today," senior Chris Tierney said.
Virginia, meanwhile, continued its methodical approach -- passing, crossing and sprinting while they tried to create a scoring opportunity for themselves.
While St. John's made several substitutions throughout the game, the Cavalier starting lineup played 64 minutes before Gelnovatch substituted LaBauex for sophomore forward Matt Mitchell.
"It's a little tough to come off the bench -- but I try and stay mentally into the game," LaBauex. "That way I can come out and give it all I've got."
As the game progressed to sudden death overtime, the already physical match turned brutal. With frustrations mounting, both teams sought the elusive game-winning goal. It materialized for the Cavaliers when LaBauex headed a cross from Tierney past Red Storm goalkeeper Neal Kitson.
"I was thinking, 'It's overtime, I need to get the ball into the box, make something happen'" Tierney said. "I didn't even look up, I just tried to whip in a good ball and luckily Ross had gotten a step inside on his guy and put it away. It was a great goal for us."
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