Virginia and No. 18 Pitt ended the Atlantic Coast Conference regular season with a scoreless draw Friday night at Klöckner Stadium in Charlottesville, Virginia.
The result left Virginia at 7-6-3 overall and 3-3-2 in ACC play. Pitt, which entered the match ranked No. 18, moved to 9-4-3 overall and 4-2-2 in the conference.
Virginia creates chances
The Cavaliers controlled much of the opening half in terms of shot volume, outshooting Pitt 7-3. Each team put one attempt on target before halftime. Sami Oulouheu produced Virginia’s best first-half opportunity after Marco Dos Santos played the ball to him in the penalty area, but Pitt’s goalkeeper kept the attempt out.
Virginia continued to press after the break, holding an 11-7 advantage in second-half shots. The Cavaliers also forced Pitt’s goalkeeper to make four saves. Virginia’s pressure increased during the final 15 minutes, when Oulouheu and Brendan Lambe each generated several chances inside the penalty area.
Virginia goalkeeper Caleb Tunks made four saves to preserve the shutout. His stops included a diving save in the 60th minute and another important save during the final five minutes.
- Virginia finished the match with an 18-10 shot advantage.
- The Cavaliers held Pitt to a scoreless result despite the Panthers’ conference record of 4-2-2.
- Virginia next turns its attention to the ACC Men’s Soccer Championship.
Regular season closes
Virginia coach George Gelnovatch said the team defended effectively against a difficult opponent and maintained the possession-based approach it wants to use. He also said the Cavaliers needed to make more of their counterattacking opportunities and passes into the box.
The draw closed Virginia’s regular-season schedule. The Cavaliers’ next announced competition is the ACC Men’s Soccer Championship.
