The Virginia men’s soccer team concluded its season with a 1-0 defeat to 10th-seeded Maryland Sundayin a second-round match of the 2015 NCAA Tournament at Ludwig Field in College Park. Virginia finishes the season with a 10-5-3 record.Maryland (11-5-5) advances to play in the round of 16 next Sunday in South Bend, Ind., against No. 7 seed Notre Dame.
“This is never easy, and especially right now for our four seniors,” Virginia head coach George Gelnovatch said. “It’s a tough moment right now, but I give Maryland credit. I thought they deserved to win today, and we wish them the best. We weren’t quite as good in handling their pressure and keeping the ball and getting chances as I would have liked.”
Maryland out-shot UVA 23-8 and put six shots on goal to two for the Cavaliers. Virginia goalkeeper Jeff Caldwell (So., Todd, N.C.) recorded five saves, while Maryland keeper Cody Niedermeier was credited with two saves.
Maryland created a host of quality chances in the first half before finishing in the 38th minute. After a UVA foul set up a Maryland free kick about 30 yards from goal, Mael Corboz sent in the kick and found Eryk Williamson inside the 6-yard box. Williamson chipped the ball past Caldwell for the goal, his fourth goal of the year.
UVA started to gain more possession over the final 20 minutes but struggled to create shots. Maryland nearly put the game away in the 83rd minute, but an Amar Sedjic shot was booted off the line by UVA defender Wesley Suggs (R-So., Bowie, Md.). The Cavaliers frantically pushed the ball forward in the waning minutes, but were unable to create a great chance for the equalizer.
Virginia was playing in its 35th-consecutive NCAA tournament, dating to 1981 – the longest streak in Division I men’s soccer history.
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Chris Graham
