Freshman Bacary Tandjigora scored in the 84th minute to break a scoreless tie, lifting #6 Virginia to a 1-0 win over SMU that gives the ‘Hoos the 2025 ACC regular-season championship.
“I think one of the most difficult things to do in college soccer is to win the ACC regular-season championship,” head coach George Gelnovatch said. “Tonight, we played to win and not to worry about the results of the other games. Now we get a full week to prepare for the quarterfinal. I couldn’t be happier for my guys. They deserve this moment.”
The first half featured just three combined shots between the two teams. The Cavaliers (10-1-4, 5-0-3 ACC) created the better chances, as Sami Oulouheu got on the end of a ball in the penalty area, but lifted his effort just over the crossbar.
With just under 20 minutes remaining in the second half, Marco Dos Santos was played in behind the Mustang back line, but the SMU goalkeeper, Martin Dominguez, came off his line to smother the chance and keep the game scoreless.
The Cavaliers broke through in the 84th minute, when Nick Dang lofted a ball into the six-yard box that was headed down by Simmonds. The ball fell to Tandjigora, who blasted it into the net.
Casper Mols had two saves in the shutout win.
Share
Chris Graham
