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Men’s soccer: No. 16 Virginia heads to Virginia Tech Friday

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uva-vt1The No. 16 Virginia men’s soccer team heads to Blacksburg Friday for a 7 p.m. conference match against Virginia Tech at Thompson Field. The match is part of the Commonwealth Clash presented by Virginia529.

Records
Virginia: 8-3-2 (ACC: 3-2-1/10 points)
Virginia Tech: 5-6-3 (ACC: 0-3-3/3 points)

Broadcast Information
The match will be streamed on ESPN3. A link to live statistics can be located at VirginiaSports.com.

Commonwealth Clash
The Friday match is sponsored by Virginia529, the official college savings plan of University of Virginia Athletics. It is also a potential point in the Virginia529 Commonwealth Clash, the point rivalry series between University of Virginia and Virginia Tech. The score for the Clash is currently, University of Virginia – 0.5 and Virginia Tech – 0. Learn more about Virginia529 and this competition at TheCommonwealthClash.com.

Virginia-Virginia Tech Series
Virginia and Virginia Tech are battling for the 46th time, with the Cavaliers owning a 38-4-3 advantage in the all-time series. UVA is unbeaten in the last 10 matches against its in-state rivals (7-0-3), but four of the last six have gone to extra time.

UVA is 7-2-3 against Virginia Tech since the Hokies joined the ACC; 10 of the 12 matches have been decided by one goal or a draw. The programs have played to draws in UVA’s last two trips to Blacksburg (2011, 2013). UVA last won at Virginia Tech on Oct. 17, 2009, a 3-1 decision.

Last Year vs. Virginia Tech
Virginia scored a pair of 1-0 wins over Virginia Tech in 2014. UVA won the regular-season match in Charlottesville on Sept. 12 on Scott Thomsen’s 74th-minute goal. The Cavaliers also won at home in the first round of the ACC tournament on Todd Wharton’s penalty kick in the 55th minute.

UVA held a decided edge in possession as well as shots in both contests. UVA outshot Virginia Tech 18-4 in the first game and 20-9 in the second.

Cavaliers Battle Tested in Close Matches
Virginia knows a thing or two about close matches. Every match has been tied or within one goal at intermission. All 13 UVa matches have been determined by two goals or a draw – with just three by two goals.

Virginia No. 23 in Latest RPI
UVA ranks No. 23 in the NCAA’s latest RPI figures (released Monday). Seven of Virginia’s 15 opponents are ranked among the top 45. Virginia Tech is No. 54 in the latest RPI.

Offense Up From 2014 Season
Virginia’s offense has scored at a higher clip in 2015 than last year during the NCAA Championship season. UVA owns 21 goals in 13 games, an average of 1.62 goals per game. The Cavaliers tallied 27 goals in 23 matches last year, an average of 1.17 goals per game. The 27 goals marked the fewest goals scored in a season by UVA since 1979, which was Bruce Arena’s second year at Virginia.

Noting Virginia Tech
Virginia Tech is 5-6-3 this season, including an 0-3-3 mark in ACC play. The Hokies lost a 5-0 decision Tuesday night at Charlotte while playing the final 60 minutes with just 10 men. Virginia Tech played Notre Dame to a scoreless draw last Friday in Blacksburg. Merlin Baus leads the team with five goals and five assists.

Up Next: North Carolina
The Cavaliers return home next Friday (Oct. 30) to play No. 6 North Carolina in the regular-season finale. Game time is 7 p.m. Prior to the match, Virginia will hold Senior Day ceremonies.

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