| Gameday Central |
| American |
1 |
|
| Virginia |
2 |
 |
Goals:A. Eskandarian (UVA), K. Arena (UVA), D. Marut (AU).
Assists: R. Gibbs (UVA), J. LeBlanc (UVA), K. Kuykendall (AU), P. Philipakos (AU)
Saves: Behonick (AU) 5, Myers (AU) 2, Comfort (UVA) 2 |
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. - American University's men's soccer team lost a hard-fought and physical match to No. 23 Virginia tonight in Klockner Stadium, 2-1. American falls to 11-6-0 on the season while Virginia moves to 10-5-0.
Virginia surprised the Eagles early, scoring off the opening kickoff as Ryan Gibbs crossed the ball to Alecko Eskandarian who beat AU keeper Thomas Myers giving the Cavaliers a 1-0 advantage just nine seconds into the match.
AU responded in the 22nd minute as Kris Kuykendall sent a long ball ahead to David Marut. With UVa keeper David Comfort coming off his mark, Marut flicked the ball over his head and it appeared to be heading in on goal. However, Matt Oliver rushed back and saved the ball just before it crossed the line, preserving the one goal advantage for Virginia.
UVa notched its second goal in the first half in the 35th minute as a Jacob LeBlanc corner kick was headed into the net by Kenny Arena and the Cavaliers took a 2-0 lead to the half.
Seven minutes into the second half, it appeared that UVa would add to its lead as Kirk Dinnall fired a long shot on goal that was just past American keeper Michael Behonick's hands. The ball, however went just off the crossbar and the Eagles went on the counterattack.
In the 54th minute, Kris Kuykendall slipped the ball to Peter Philipakos in the box. Philipakos crossed the ball to Marut who buried the ball in the lower right corner of the net to cut the lead in half and give AU new life. The goal was Marut's first of his college career.
However, the Eagles were unable to score in the final part of the second half. The eagles best opportunity came with just under 13 minutes remaining as Melvin Espinal fed Andrew Herman, but Herman's shot went just wide of the post.
AU's next match is Nov. 2 as the Eagles return to Patriot League action at Lehigh at 7 p.m.
