CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (CBS19 SPORTS) -- Facing an old rival for the first time in nearly a decade, Virginia picked up their biggest victory of the season in a 2-1 win against No. 20 Maryland. 

The Cavs got two important first-half goals from senior Leo Afonso and Mouhameth Thiam and an important penalty save from Holden Brown late in the second half to pick up the win. 

“Right from the start we really grabbed control of the game for just about all of the first half," head coach George Gelnovatch said after the game. "In fact, I thought we could have had another goal in that first half. We couldn’t get that goal that gives us a bit of separation, but we went through 20 minutes or so of having to defend. You never want to do that, but it’s a really good exercise. I’m just super happy to get the result.”

The Cavs begin conference play on Friday when they head to Durham to take on Duke at 7 p.m.