virginia tech beats virginia for the first time since 2005
Patrick Campbell
November 7, 2020
Virginia Tech midfielder Daniel Pereira completes a pass in the Hokies' 1-0 victory over Virginia in Charlottesville on Friday afternoon. Pereira scored the lone goal in the game in the 32nd minute. (Virginia Tech athletics)
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. - Virginia Tech outlasted Virginia to knock off the Cavaliers for the first time in almost two decades behind a goal from midfielder Daniel Pereira.
The two rivals spent much of the first half feeling each other out, producing only one shot through 20 minutes. The Hokies started to build momentum off a cross from forward Jacob Labovitz that almost connected before being cleared by the UVa defense.
Twelve minutes later, the Hokies broke through. Pereira scored his first goal of the season from 25 yards out to give Tech the lead in the 32nd minute. Virginia Tech held a 5-3 lead in shots heading into half with a 1-0 lead.
In the second half, both teams produced seven shots apiece. UVa had a majority of the chances early but Tech keeper Mathijis Swaneveld made a huge save in the 53rd minute to preserve the shutout. Virginia keeper Alex Rando kept the Hoos in the game, saving a shot from midfielder Kristo Strickler in the 63rd minute.
The Cavaliers made one final push in the 90th minute but forward Kevin Ogudugu’s shot was blocked and defender Oliver Gerbig sailed the rebound over the crossbar. Virginia Tech finished ahead in shots 12-10 and earned five yellow cards on the day.
Swaneveld posted his second consecutive shutout for the second time in his career. He has allowed just three goals in the past five games. Thanks to the shutout, Virginia Tech finished second in the North Region after placing fifth in the 2019 campaign. Tech is now on a three-game winning streak to end the regular season.
Virginia Tech earned its third win over UVa in its 45-year history as a program. The Hokies had not beaten the Cavaliers since October 29, 2005, when Tech defeated the Cavaliers in a 2-1 overtime game in Charlottesville.
Virginia Tech (3-1-2, 3-1-2 ACC) will face Clemson, the No. 3 seed in the South Region, at noon on Sunday, Nov. 15 in the first round of the ACC Tournament. Virginia (2-3-1, 2-3-1 ACC) finished fourth in the North Region and will take on Wake Forest, the No. 1 seed in the South Region, at 4 p.m. on Nov. 15.