“We had the ball most of the game,” Virginia men’s soccer coach George Gelnovatch said. “And if you’re a man up and you’re smart, you should be able to score a goal and tie the game.”
While Gelnovatch’s comment was made following the team’s disappointing 1-2 loss against No. 5 Maryland Friday night at home, it underscored what has been a common theme for Virginia all fall. Although the Cavaliers (9-6-1, 4-3 ACC) possess plenty of offensive firepower, out-shooting their opponents 226-131 this season, they have failed repeatedly to put the ball in the back of the net.
After stringing together an impressive six straight wins in less than one month, including a 1-0 upset on the road at then-No. 12 North Carolina, Virginia has struggled of late. The squad has come away with only one victory in its last five games, and excluding a 4-2 triumph against non-conference foe American, the Cavaliers’ offense has scored just three goals. Even more importantly, in its last five ACC contests dating back to the Oct. 3 matchup in Chapel Hill, the team has managed just two victories.
In the most recent contest against Maryland, Virginia controlled possession of the ball, keeping the Terrapin defense continually on its toes throughout the game while out-shooting their opponent, 9-4. Maryland, however, made the most of its offensive opportunities, scoring two goals on its four shots, while Virginia converted only once.
“It’s tough, and it definitely doesn’t feel good,” said junior forward Ross LaBauex, who was responsible for the Cavaliers’ lone goal of the game, following the defeat. “Sometimes the ball just doesn’t go in the back of the net. All we have to do is keep our heads up and keep going.”
While the Cavaliers have failed to perform recently, some of their offensive woes can be attributed to circumstances beyond their control. The team has been snake-bitten this season, losing standout freshmen forward Chris Agorsor and midfielder Tony Tchani to injury.
Agorsor was the team’s second-leading scorer before going down in an early season win against Central Connecticut State; Tchani, who recorded four goals and two assists during the team’s midseason winning streak, suffered a partial ACL tear during Virginia’s Oct. 21 draw against Longwood. While Agorsor will be out for the rest of the season with a torn ACL, Tchani has been sidelined indefinitely, although Gelnovatch said his injury will require surgery at some point.
Since the loss of Tchani’s presence on offense, Virginia has dropped two of its last three games. Perhaps the most telling statistic of the Cavaliers’ troubles, however, lies in the fact that Tchani and Agorsor still rank first and fourth, respectively, in goals on the team despite missing a combined 12 games on the year.
As they head into postseason play, the Cavaliers are still in search of a remedy to cure their lack of offensive production. While junior midfielder Jonathan Villanueva has stepped up as of late, tallying two goals and two assists in the squad’s win against American, Virginia will need help from an even bigger cast of characters if it wishes to make a late-season run.
Taking on No. 1 Wake Forest at home Friday night in their last regular-season game before the ACC Tournament, the Cavaliers have a final chance to reverse their recent offensive misfortunes.
If their troubles continue, however, come NCAA Tournament time, the Cavaliers could find themselves on the outside, looking in.
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