Virginia Men’s Soccer Returns to Winning Ways with 1-0 Victory over ETSU
So far this season, Stephen Annor has been the star for the Cavaliers and once again delivered. Annor scored the game-winning goal after a lofting cross from Daniel Mangarov to lift Virginia to a 1-0 victory over Easter Tennessee State at Klöckner Stadium on Tuesday night.
The goal was Annor’s fourth in four games as the freshman has stepped up for the injured Leo Afonso, who suffered an injury against JMU. In addition to Afonso, goalkeeper Holden Brown and defender Reese Miller were also out. With Brown out, Joey Batrouni stepped into goal and earned his first clean sheet of the season.
From the opening whistle, Virginia was applying pressure and dominating possession as the Cavaliers looked to pick up right where they left off after a strong second half against Notre Dame. In response, Eastern Tennessee State fired back with a counter-attacking play that led to a corner due to a failed Virginia clearance.
Minutes later, the first big chance for the Cavaliers saw Elias Norris dribble through multiple defenders before passing it off to Albin Gashi whose shot sailed over the crossbar. The pressure continued to mount as Daniel Mangarov tried his luck from distance, forcing Cole Hunter to make a diving save.
With 30 minutes left in the half, Stephen Annor produced a shot on goal after some quick passes with Mouhameth Thiam while the Virginia defense stood tall. Despite the pressure, Virginia failed to find an opener after 25 minutes of action.
Later in the half, Kome Ubogu was subbed on and registered two shots as Virginia inched closer to the opening goal. Then, with four minutes left, the Cavaliers earned themselves a free kick on the top right side of the box but failed to produce anything of significance as the Hoos and Buccaneers entered halftime scoreless.
Virginia mustered five shots on goal to Eastern Tennessee State’s one as the Cavaliers dominated the first half but had nothing to show for it despite holding 69% of the possession.
To open the second half, it was much of the same, with heavy possession for the Cavaliers but no results. Five minutes into the half, Will Citron tried his luck from distance, but his shot was off target. Minutes later, David Okorie nearly scored but lost possession right in front of the goal.
On the other side of the field, Tarik Pannholzer rocketed a shot from a distance, but his chance was stifled by Batrouni. The chance was Eastern Tennessee State’s best of the half as the Buccaneers struggled to find answers to the stout Virginia defense.
Then, with 24 minutes to play, a cross from Daniel Mangarov found Annor, who headed the ball over his defender and past Hunter to put Virginia in front 1-0.
After the goal, Virginia maintained much of the possession as the Cavaliers looked to secure the victory. With less than two minutes left, Norris nearly doubled the Virginia advantage as his shot caught the far right post. Then, Virginia defended a last-second corner to secure the clean sheet and a 1-0 victory.
The win is crucial for the Cavaliers (5-3-1) and will be used as momentum amid ACC play as the Hoos remain at home with their next match on Friday against Louisville at 7pm.
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