Virginia Men's Soccer Downs Iona 1-0 in Season Opener
Starting on the right foot was a point of emphasis for Virginia heading into the season. After dropping their season opener last year to Xavier, it was quintessential for the Cavaliers to start strong this year, especially with their first four games at home.
Against Iona on a beautiful summer evening in Charlottesville, Virginia, it was Daniel Mangarov netting the Cavaliers' opening goal of the season for the second year in a row. The difference from last year was the goal came in the first game rather than the second. The goal came in the second half and allowed Virginia to earn its first win of the season, defeating Iona 1-0 on Thursday evening.
Iona was the first to get a shot with a miss to the left from Jad Benjelloun. That shot would be the Gaels' last of the half. Minutes later, Virginia began to come alive, responding with a good possession that earned the Cavaliers a corner, which ended in a shot from Albin Gashi. In the first half, the bright spots for Virginia were freshman Stephon Annor Gyamfi and transfer Elias Norris, who both created a handful of chances for the Hoos.
Norris's first shot came from outside the box and forced Juan Alfaro Monge to make a diving save. Minutes later, Reese Miller kicked a lofting cross to Axel Ahlander, who was a few feet from the goal and was staring at an open net. Despite the chance, the header hit the post, a major missed opportunity for Virginia.
As the first half continued, Virginia continued to mount pressure and control possession, keeping the ball almost entirely in Iona’s half of the field after a tough first ten opening minutes.
As the first half came to a close, Daniel Mangarov was subbed on and delivered a rocket from just outside the box, but it was still not enough to put the Hoos in front. Virginia finished the half with 12 shots, six of which were on goal. The Cavaliers looked lively after a slow first ten minutes, dominating possession, but they still could not break through the Iona defense.
When the second-half whistle blew, the Cavaliers started right where they left off, which began with a quick shot from Triton Beauvois. A few minutes later, Mouhameth Thiam passed inside to Michael Tsicoulias, who skyed his shot over an open net.
On the positive side, Iona had yet to penetrate the Cavaliers defense as they were yet to record a shot on goal.
Minutes later, Virginia found the opener. The attack began with a cross from Reese Miller that found Thiam. After receiving the pass, Thiam made a quick pass to senior captain Leo Afonso. Then, using his veteran experience, Afonso back-heeled a no-look pass to Daniel Mangarov, who rocketed a shot off the right post to give Virginia a 1-0 lead, a brilliant strike for the team's first goal of the season.
After that, Iona began to pressure the Cavaliers, forcing goalkeeper Holden Brown to make his first play of the game, punching a cross out of the area. In response, Virginia fired back with more pressure, which included multiple shots, one of which was a header from Mangarov.
As the clock winded down, Brown made his first save of the game on a shot from outside the box, but it was not enough to disrupt the goalie who led the ACC in saves two years ago. In the final minute, Kome Ubogu found himself with just the goalie to beat but failed to give Virginia its second goal of the night as Monge made a point-blank save. Seconds later, the final whistle blew as Virginia solidified its first win of the year with a 1-0 win over Iona.
The Cavaliers outshot the Gaels 24-4, with 13 of those on goal to Iona’s one.
Virginia returns to action Sunday against Loyola Marymount at 7pm at Klockner Stadium.
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