The Virginia men's soccer team faced an ultimately insurmountable challenge after falling behind 3-0 Friday night at Wake Forest. Despite a furious rally from the No. 18 Cavaliers (8-5-0, 3-2-0 ACC), the Demon Deacons (6-5-2, 3-3-0 ACC) clung to a 4-3 victory and snapped Virginia's three-game win streak.
Virginia fell behind early after Wake Forest converted a penalty kick in the 32nd minute. The Cavaliers then conceded a goal just four seconds before halftime and another during the 52nd minute on a set piece.
The deficit would prove too much to overcome despite junior forward Will Bates' late hat trick. Bates struck twice 29 seconds apart midway through the second half to trim the Wake Forest lead to 3-2, but an 87th-minute tally by Demon Deacons junior forward Andy Lubahn on a counterattack put the game out of reach.
Bates completed the hat trick - his second this season and third of his career - off a pass from senior midfielder Felipe Libreros with six seconds remaining, but the score was too little, too late.\nWith his big day, Bates set a career-high of 13 goals during a season, and he still has five games remaining in regular play.
The Cavaliers return home Tuesday to face Howard.
-compiled by Ian Rappaport
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