For 56 minutes and 16 seconds of the ACC Championship game Sunday, Virginia kept SMU’s offense in check. In that time period, the match in Cary, N.C. was a back-and-forth affair. It was evident that the game would come down to the final minutes — a situation Coach George Gelnovatch was fine with.
“I felt in control of the game, [and] I still felt there was plenty of time, 30 minutes left in the game,” Gelnovatch said.
Then came a flurry of whistles.
The Cavaliers (12-1-4) could not overcome 16 fouls. Instead, the Mustangs (10-4-4) pulled through 1-0 off of a penalty kick scored by sophomore forward Stephen Soghomonian. The penalty, which gave SMU its best scoring opportunity, was a controversial one.
“I didn't really see it, to be honest with you, I had to get a close look at the replay,” Gelnovatch said. “I don't think the refs are quite sure, even, to be honest. So that's what makes it so tough to do, first of all, just lose a game on a [penalty kick] but lose one that was reviewed for eight minutes.”
Mustangs Coach Kevin Hudson disagreed.
“I thought there was no doubt that it was a penalty,” Hudson said.
To make matters worse for Virginia, senior midfielder Umberto Pelà and senior defenseman Nick Dang were both sidelined due to injuries. The injury bug came in full force, as freshman forward Stephen Hurlock collapsed to the turf late in the game and had to exit on a stretcher.
Even so, Virginia, a team that has been so explosive offensively this season, was unable to score — or tally a single shot on goal.
From the game’s onset, it was clear that this rematch was much like the teams’ first bout Oct. 31 — prolonged possessions were scarce. Virginia was able to string together some promising attacks, but SMU quickly walled off its defensive third time and time again.
Troublesome trends emerged. Star freshman forward Nicholas Simmonds seldom touched the ball in the game’s first 23 minutes, decent shot opportunities were overshot to the right of the goal, and the Cavaliers never compiled lengthy possessions.
By afternoon’s end, Virginia suffered its first ACC loss of 2025, and its impressive 14-game unbeaten streak was squashed. The Cavaliers, who had entered Sunday’s contest with the third-longest unbeaten streak in Division I, fell just short of the ACC title.
On the other end, SMU captured its first ACC title in any sport. Hudson passionately explained the significance of his team’s win.
“I think there's still this connotation within the media or within the league that [SMU are] outsiders and we don't belong,” Hudson said. “We freaking belong.”
The Mustangs were seeking revenge on Virginia, the winner of the previous matchup.
“We saw the bracket when it first came out, and we saw it as a revenge tour,” SMU senior defenseman Slade Starns said. “Hit list.”
ACC Championship loss aside, Virginia’s season is far from over. Virginia now awaits the NCAA Tournament bracket, which will be announced Monday at 1 p.m.
“If we come up against a team like this, again, we'll know what to do,” senior midfielder Albin Gashi said. “[There are] a lot of weeks left to play for. We'll try to be back here [for the College Cup].”
Read More
Virginia runners qualify for NCAA Championships by the skin of their teeth
By Caroline Wulff | 9 hours agoWhile they did end up punching a ticket in the secondary selection process, for both teams it was a clear regression from last year’s performance.
No. 1 seed Virginia dominates from start in five-goal rout to open NCAA Tournament
By Anderson Kim | 19 hours ago“It’s one team at a time,” Swanson said.
Virginia’s offense reemerges: Morris, Taylor and Harris lead Cavalier takedown at Duke
By Theo Moll | 21 hours ago“One word,” Harris said. “Exciting.”
