The evenly-played match – each team had 10 shots, and UVA (4-4-3, 1-2-2 ACC) had a narrow 3-1 edge in shots on goal on JMU (5-1-4, 1-0-1 Sun Belt) – came down to the final minute.
Brendan Lambe led the attack, lifting a ball over the JMU back line for Pelà to collect. With one touch, the Cavaliers captain put a low cross into the six-yard box, where it deflected off JMU’s Enrique Garcia Barelles and into the net.
The win is the second in a row over a ranked in-state opponent. Virginia had defeated then-#19 Virginia Tech, 2-1, on Friday.
“Overall, I would say these last two games were a little bit more reflective of our performances,” UVA coach George Gelnovatch said. “You could see the will to win, drive, and the quality that we ae used to. We got a good taste of that and put ourselves in a much better situation going to Boston College. JMU is a good team, and I think we’re getting our form and some guys back healthy. I think this was one of our better performances against one of the better teams we have played.”
Up next: Virginia will be back in action on Friday with a trip to Newton, Mass., for an ACC battle with Boston College. Kickoff at is set for 7 p.m. on ACCNX.
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Chris Graham
