In the second annual “Battle for the DMV,” No. 12 Virginia men’s soccer defeated the defending national champion and top-ranked Maryland 2-0 Monday night courtesy of first-half goals by junior forward Nathaniel Crofts and sophomore forward Daryl Dike.
The Cavaliers (2-0, 0-0 ACC) came into Audi Field in Washington, D.C., having lost four of their last six matches against the Terrapins (1-1, 0-0 Big Ten), with the two teams’ match last season resulting in a draw after double overtime. Virginia last defeated Maryland in 2011 in Charlottesville.
Despite history not being on their side, the Cavaliers were able to reverse the narrative, exhibiting strong defense at the back and a tenacious attack to defeat a Maryland team that hadn’t lost since last October.
Virginia’s offense was led by Crofts, who both scored and tallied an assist for the Cavaliers. Crofts scored four goals for Virginia during his stellar 2018 campaign and became the first Cavalier since 2009 to have a multi-goal game in the NCAA tournament.
Dike was the other goal scorer for the Cavaliers as he continues his good form from the previous season which included an appearance on the ACC All-Freshman Team.
Junior goalkeeper Colin Shutler also recorded his second shutout in as many games this season, giving further credence to the stand-out goalie’s recovery.
Virginia next plays Saturday, when they face High Point (1-1, 0-0 Big South) at Klöckner Stadium at 7 p.m. Virginia last faced High Point in 2012, where they defeated the Panthers 2-1 in Charlottesville.
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