The Virginia men’s soccer team slipped by Duke 4-2 in the first round of the ACC Tournament with two late goals last night in Cary, N.C. The tight victory not only avenges the Cavaliers’ regular-season loss to the Blue Devils but also earns the team a date with Wake Forest, the top-ranked team in the country, in Friday’s semifinal.
Led by two goals apiece from senior midfielder Matt Poole — his first two goals of the season — and freshman forward Brian Ownby, the Cavaliers (10-7-1, 5-4 ACC) put an end to their recent conference scoring woes. Virginia’s four scores against the Blue Devils (10-7-2, 3-4-2 ACC) marks the first time the squad has tallied more than one goal against an ACC opponent since its 2-1 win against Virginia Tech Sept. 26.
Although Virginia struck first when Poole found the back of the net in the 18th minute, the Blue Devils managed to score twice before halftime. Senior defender Darrius Barnes headed a ball past Virginia junior goalkeeper Michael Giallombardo in the 31st minute, while senior forward Mike Grella scored from 12 yards out in the 36st minute to give the Blue Devils a 2-1 edge heading into the locker room.
Duke wouldn’t find the net again, however, as the Virginia defense stifled the Blue Devils’ attack in the second half. The Cavalier offense rattled off three of its four goals late in the game; Poole scored on a penalty kick in the 57th minute, while Ownby beat Duke senior goalkeeper Brendan Fitzgerald twice in a six-minute span, finding the lower left corner both times to secure the victory for Virginia.
—compiled by Cayce Troxel
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