Virginia's 1-0 win over Syracuse, powered by a penalty kick in the 71st minute, led the team to its first shutout of the season Friday night.
Virginia failed to improve its ACC standing as it fell to Notre Dame Sunday in its fourth consecutive overtime match this season.
The loss was certainly disappointing for Virginia fans as the Cavaliers had an opportunity to claim sole possession of first place in the ACC North with a win, and it appeared they might sneak out with a victory given their momentum heading into overtime.
The Cavaliers evened up the score in the second-half following graduate student midfielder Joan Gilbert's first career goal, extending Virginia's unbeaten streak against the Hokies to 16 matches.
The Cavaliers (1-0-0, 1-0-0 ACC) opened their season Friday night with a 2-1 win against Louisville and will aim to continue the momentum from the dramatic win in 2OT.
Men's soccer secured its first win of the season with a penalty goal by sophomore forward Philip Horton in the 109th minute.
The ACC announced Friday the layout for the abbreviated season — each school will play six conference games in addition to two exhibition matches prior to a modified eight-team conference tournament.
Along with a handful of former seniors including captain defender Robin Afamefuna, underclassmen starters Daryl Dike, Henry Kessler, Joe Bell and Daniel Steedman all left the program to pursue professional careers.
This marks the first time in program history that three Virginia players were selected in the first two rounds of the MLS SuperDraft.
A back-and-forth game set the stage for a dramatic finish in penalties — a 7-6 decision in favor of the Hoyas.
Virginia will now face No. 2 Georgetown in the finals of the 2019 College Cup.
Bell has had an outstanding season for Virginia, tallying six goals and four assists while serving as a co-captain alongside senior defender Robin Afamefuna.
The Cavaliers secured their 20th win courtesy of two goals by junior midfielder Joe Bell.
The two programs are facing off for only the fourth time — with the Mustangs winning the previous three meetings — and for the first time since 2008.
The last time the Cavaliers advanced to the quarterfinals was 2014, when they also secured the program’s seventh national title.
The top overall seed Cavaliers will advance to the third round after receiving a bye in the first round. Virginia will play the winner of Syracuse and 16th seeded St. John’s Saturday in Charlottesville for a spot in the quarterfinals.
The Camels rode a three-goal second half to defeat James Madison 3-1 Thursday night in order to face the Cavaliers, who earned a first-round bye as the No. 1 overall seed in the tournament.
The Cavaliers' last ACC championship win in 2009 was immediately followed by a national championship.
The Cavaliers (16-1-1, 6-1-1 ACC) are hoping to capture their first ACC title since 2009.
The Cavaliers downed the Demon Deacons by way of a 25th minute goal by junior forward Nathaniel Crofts.
