WINSTON-SALEM, N.C.--The Virginia men's soccer team fell last night 2-1 in triple overtime to No. 1 Duke in the ACC Tournament Championship at Dennis Spry Stadium.
The decisive goal came in the third overtime period when Blue Devil Stephen Pate one-touched a cross by Dwayne Harris after 129 minutes of play; the goal gave Duke its first ACC Championship and an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament after going 2-0 in the Conference Tournament.
Duke's Troy Garner was named Tournament MVP, while the Cavs placed forward Sheldon Barnes and midfielders Ryan Trout and Kyle Martino on the All-Tournament team.
The Blue Devils opened the first half with dominating speed and strength against the Cavaliers. The slow Cav start left the door open for the aggressive Blue Devils in the ninth minute. After a strong scoring chance off a 30-yard Ni-Amar Amamoo throw-in, the Blue Devils capitalized with a goal by forward Ali Curtis, who found the back of the net off a centering ball played by defender Donald McIntosh.
Virginia's first look at goal came in the 26th minute of play off smooth ball handling by forward Curtis Bush and midfielders Steve Totten and Trout. After a number of passes deep inside Duke's 18-yard box, Blue Devil defenders were able to keep Bush from getting off a shot against keeper Jeff Haywood.
"We came out tentative," Cavalier Coach George Gelnovatch said. "We have a lot of young guys, and we just weren't ourselves in the first half."
The Cavs became more determined in the second half, led by midfielder Kyle Martino's goal in the 48th minute of play. After looping across the right side of the goal, Martino was fed a pass from forward Sheldon Barnes.
"I saw that Sheldon had good position, so I made a run off him and he played it right into my path," Martino said.
Martino's goal kick-started the Cavalier's offense. Strong runs close to the goal by Trout and Barnes kept Duke's defense on its toes for most of the second half.
Regulation ended with Duke feeling the pressure from a Virginia team that has continually shocked ACC Tournament teams and spectators.
"About midway through the season, I think [the Cavaliers] became a very good team," Duke Coach John Rennie said.
Rennie said he was not surprised the Cavs made it to the finals.
The first 15 minute "Golden Goal" overtime period ended with both teams showing the effects of 105 minutes of feverish play. The Blue Devils opened up the second overtime period with a shot that was barely saved by Virginia keeper David Comfort.
Virginia advanced to the final after disposing of No. 6 Maryland 2-0 in Thursday's first round and the hometown Demon Deacons 2-1 in Friday's semifinal. Trout scored both goals against the Deacs in the first half.
The NCAA Selection Committee will decide today whether Virginia's strong showing will be enough to win them an NCAA Tournament seed.
Read More
Virginia Athletics wins second straight Commonwealth Clash over Virginia Tech
By Eleanor Lynch | 6 hours agoThe Cavaliers’ fifth Commonwealth Clash victory over the last eight contests proves the athletic department’s overall success in recent years.
No. 6 men’s lacrosse falters late, fumbling chance at huge victory over No. 1 Notre Dame
By Michael Liebermann | 9 hours agoThe ache of last season's defeat will persist.
No. 6 women’s lacrosse eliminated by No. 4 Syracuse in ACC Semifinal
By Peter Kratz | 9 hours agoA forgettable first-half performance sunk the ship for the Cavaliers.
