Alfonso's brace lifts Virginia over FIU in overtime
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (CBS19 SPORTS)-- Just two weeks after falling to Syracuse in penalty kicks, Virginia got the job done in the first overtime period 2-1 over FIU as they advance to the third round of the NCAA Men’s Soccer Championship
Virginia and FIU were knotted up for most of the first half as neither team could find any opportunities in front of the net. Leo Afonso came on the bench in the 26th minute and just 10 minutes later found the opening goal. Mouhameth Thiam gained control of the ball deep before a deflection across the face of goal fell right to the feet of Afonso who rolled the ball into the back of the net. The Cavaliers advantage was short lived though as the Panthers found the equalizer from Joao Domingues with just 5 to play in the 1st half. Off an assist from Kasper Skraep, Domingues drew UVA goalie Joey Botrouni out of the cage before sending the ball to the back left of the goal.
Virginia took control of the game in the second half but ultimately was unable to find the back of the net, sending the game into overtime for the second year in a row. Just under halfway into the first overtime period Afonso once again found the back of the net in dramatic fashion. Off a Paul Wiese corner kick that was headed on by Austin Rome, Alfonso's bicycle kick scored his second of the game, lifting Virginia into the third round of the NCAA Men’s Soccer Championship.
“At this time of year in both the ACC tournament and the postseason, every team is good," said UVA soccer coach George Gelnovatch, "This FIU team is a very good team and gave us a good game today. I am just proud of the effort of this team. We are a pretty young team and not a lot of them have been in the postseason and in these games. To get this win in the fashion that we did is really good for this team.”
Virginia advances to the third round of the NCAA Men’s Soccer Championship and will host the winner of a match between Indiana and 10th-seeded Wake Forest.