Virginia knocks UNCW men’s soccer team out of NCAA’s

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (UNCW) — Second half goals from Jake Rozhansky and Kyle McCord broke a 1-all halftime deadlock to lift Virginia past UNCW, 3-1, in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Sunday at Klockner Stadium.

The Cavaliers, who entered the tournament as the 16th-seed, improved to 11-6-2 with the win and advance to the third round of the NCAA tournament. The Seahawks, meanwhile, end their season with a 13-5-2 record after reaching the second round of the tournament in as many tries.

David Sizemore gave the Seahawks a 1-0 lead in the first half with this second goal of the season. Jamie Dell started the play beating his defender to the end line before cutting back to the middle of the field. His pass found Sizemore open at the top of the penalty area where he took a touch before sending a low liner into the left corner.

UVA would draw even with 1:06 left in the first half. Scot Thomsen sent a pass from the end line to Sam Hayward, who one-timed his shot into the right side of the goal.

The Cavaliers would take the lead in the 62nd minute when Jake Rozhansky scored his first goal of the season for the lead. Thomsen sent a free kick into the penalty area from the right side where Nicko Corriveau touched it to Rozhansky, who knocked it home.

McCord closed out the scoring in the 74th minute with his second goal of the season. Matt Brown served a ball into the penalty area that sailed just beyond the hands of UNCW goal keeper Sean Melvin. McCord was able to get his head on the cross for the goal.

UVA held a 12-10 advantage in shots while the Seahawks had five corner kicks to UVA’s three.

Melvin finished with a pair of saves for UNCW and Calle Brown made two stops for the Cavaliers.

Notes: The loss was UNCW’s first road loss of the season … UVA now holds a 2-0 lead in the all-time series with the last game being played in 1983 … The Seahawks also had a five-game winning streak against ACC foes halted … Of UVA’s 23 goals this season 19 have come in the second half of games … Dell played just 29 minutes after leaving the game with an injury … Eric Bird, the Cavaliers leading scorer, left the game in the opening minute with an injury … UNCW’s 13 wins were the second most in program history.