The No. 19 Virginia men's soccer team opened its season this weekend against Seton Hall and No. 11 St. Louis in the Virginia Classic tournament.
But it wasn't the way the team had imagined.
On Friday, Seton Hall upset the Cavaliers, 1-0, and Sunday St. Louis took the game and tournament in overtime, 3-2, against Virginia.
With the two losses, the Cavaliers drop to 0-2 to start the season.
Falling behind early was a common theme in both tournament games.
"It's been very frustrating," Virginia coach George Gelnovatch said. "It all starts by digging yourself into a hole."
In Friday's match-up, Seton Hall took the early lead by scoring only 20 seconds into the game. A through ball played down the left wing to a streaking forward eventually found its way back to an awaiting attacker just inside the box. The forward looked up, stepped forward and unleashed a curling shot that found the side netting.
Freshman keeper Ryan Best could not stop the blast, giving Seton Hall what would be a decisive one-goal lead.
"The first goal Seton Hall scored was on the goalkeeper but I want [Best] to learn," Gelnovatch said. "I had him in the office yesterday showing him tape. I know he's a good goalie, but he's a first-year."
Virginia looked to avenge the loss to Seton Hall Sunday against a strong St. Louis squad, but the Cavaliers again fell into a hole early. By halftime, the Cavaliers were down 2-0 and looked to be heading to their second straight loss.
Virginia would not go so quietly. With 20 minutes left in the second half, senior defender Matt Oliver put in a rebound right in front of St. Louis' goal to cut the Billikens' lead in half.
As time winded down, Virginia kept attacking a strong St. Louis defense furiously until it finally caught a break with nine minutes remaining. A Virginia forward dribbled down the right side into the corner where he crossed the ball to sophomore forward Mike Littlefield. Littlefield's header was put on goal but hand-balled by a Billiken defender in the box, causing a potentially game-tying penalty kick. Junior Chris Megaloudis stepped up to take the kick and powered it by the keeper and into the back of the net, sending the game into overtime.
Virginia came out fired up in the first 10-minute overtime period and had several opportunities to win but could not convert any of them.
In the final three minutes of the first period, St. Louis took control in the Cavaliers' half of the field. Two quick passes later, St. Louis forward David Peplinksi received a through ball as he was heading straight toward Best, where he slotted home the tournament winning goal.
"I still feel that this group understands what's going on and what our potential is," Gelnovatch said.
It was a great win for St. Louis and a tough loss for Virginia but in the end, it provided the Cavaliers valuable experience.
"Nobody quits -- which is a big difference from last year," sophomore defender Hunter Freeman said. "Everybody works hard until the 90th minute whether we're down a goal or tied and today we proved that."
Virginia will be back in action next weekend in the Maryland/FILA Classic in College Park, M.D. and looking for its first win of the year.
Read More
Seven Cavaliers, one recruit selected in 2025 MLB Draft
By Emory Huffman | 2 days agoThe draft process went swimmingly for Virginia.
From debilitating illness to Grand Slam main draw: Chris Rodesch’s story
By Margaret Piatos | 2 days agoChris Rodesch's torrid run has been an inspiring summer story.
Virginia reloads with a new leader, an emphasis on fundamentals and … bowling?
By Xander Tilock | July 10, 2025The new leader of Virginia men's basketball, and some players, offered an inside look at offseason plans.
