CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The No. 11 Virginia men’s soccer team (10-4-4, 5-1-2 ACC) competed in a thrilling ACC Semifinal as captains Andreas Ueland and Leo Afonso each tallied goals, but it wasn’t enough advance past No. 3 Syracuse (13-2-4, 5-1-2 ACC) as the teams battled to a 2-2 draw with the Orange advancing on penalties Wednesday night (Nov. 9) at SU Soccer Stadium.
Goals (Assists)
28 – Syracuse: Jeorgio Kocevski (Penalty)
38’ – Virginia: Andreas Ueland (Axel Ahlander)
66’ – Virginia: Leo Afonso
84’ – Syracuse: Lorenzo Boselli
*Syracuse advances 5-3 on penalties*
HOW IT HAPPENED:
Virginia began the game on the front foot as Leo Afonso and Phil Horton put early pressure on the Syracuse back line. Virginia thought it had opened the scoring less than 10 minutes into the game when Paul Wiese sent a cross into the penalty area that was headed into the top corner of goal by Phil Horton. However, the striker looked to his left to see the flag raised by the assistant referee to disallow the goal.
As Syracuse began to grow into the game, it was the Orange that put themselves on top after earning a penalty kick. Though Holden Brown guessed the correct side, Jeorgio Kocevski’s shot slid past his outstretched hand and into the goal.
Just 10 minutes later, the Cavaliers put themselves back on level terms. From the left wing, Paul Wiese arched a ball high into the penalty area that was flicked on by Axel Ahlander. The clever header was met by fellow Norwegian teammate Andreas Ueland whose glancing header found its way into the back of the net for 1-1.
It looked as though Syracuse was about to take the lead once more just before halftime as Camden Holbrook found himself in on goal, but reigning national player of the week, Holden Brown smothered the chance with a diving effort to keep things square at the break.
Syracuse opened the second half with intensity as the Orange pinned UVA deep in its own end for the first 20 minutes of play. However, it was Virginia that put itself ahead this time as Phil Horton blasted a low shot at the Syracuse goalkeeper to force a diving stop, but Leo Afonso was there to smash the rebound home and put the Cavaliers in front.
As time winded to a close Syracuse found a late equalizer. Lorenzo Boselli received a ball at the top of the box. Carrying to his right, he fired a shot across his body and into the low corner to force extra time.
After two scoreless overtime periods, the game went to penalty kicks to…