Milwaukee, coming in with just two wins on the 2025 season, got on the board in the third minute, and hung around all night, but #16 UVA Soccer was able to get the go-ahead goal late on its way to a 3-2 win on Wednesday night at Klöckner Stadium.
“We have seven games left and we just played three ACC games in a row. In the back of our minds we have the biggest games coming up, including #2 NC State, at NC State. We’re trying to stay focused and keep our eye on the ball, and this game was a challenge coming in,” Virginia coach George Gelnovatch said after the narrower-than-expected win.
The ‘Hoos (6-1-2) just finished a stretch that included draws with UNC and #8 Virginia Tech, and wins over #1 Wake Forest and #6 Louisville, so, actually, four ACC games in a row.
Milwaukee (2-4-5) got Virginia’s attention early, in the third minute, after the Cavaliers were whistled for a foul inside the penalty area.
On the ensuing penalty kick, Angel Gongora delivered to put the Panthers up 1-0.
Virginia would take 11 shots in the first half while controlling 73 percent of possession as the Cavaliers applied pressure to a Panther defense that sat back in a low block.
UVA finally broke through in the 29th minute when Luke Burns put a free kick into the penalty area that was met by AJ Smith and finished off by Umberto Pelà to put Virginia back on level terms.
Just five minutes later, the Cavaliers were in front after Albin Gashi cleverly flicked a ball on to Alex Parvu, whose low cross found the feet of Smith, who put his chance in the back of the net to give Virginia a 2-1 advantage going into halftime.
Virginia had an opportunity to increase its advantage when Milwaukee was whistled for a foul in the box. However, the Virginia penalty was saved to keep the advantage at just one goal.
Milwaukee found its equalizer in the 51st minute off a turnover in the midfield. Daki Kumakawa unleashed a spectacular attempt at goal that dipped just under the crossbar and into the Cavalier goal for 2-2.
Facing a Milwaukee defense that was content to play for a draw, the Cavaliers broke through once more in the 74th minute as Reese Miller played Pelà in behind the Panther defense. Pelà sent his cross into the six-yard box, where Sami Oulouheu was there to tap it home for the one-goal edge.
“I’m happy with the win. Now we’re turning the page and getting ready for NC State,” Gelnovatch said.
The game in Raleigh is on Sunday at 7 p.m., with broadcast set for ACC Network.
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Chris Graham
