Men's Soccer Splits Top-20 Matches

The Cavalier men's soccer team brought in one of the nation's best recruiting classes this off season. So what better way to test them than to start the season with multiple top-20 non-conference opponents?

20th-ranked Virginia started the season on Friday against #10 Louisville. In what can only be described as an evenly matched night on the pitch, the Cavaliers came up just short against the Cardinals, falling 2-1. Sophomore Scott Thomsen scored the only goal for the home team, tying the match at 1-1 off a free kick in the 33rd minute. Unfortunately, Louisville tallied a second goal in the 63rd minute for what ended up as the final margin.

On Monday night, the Cavaliers faced their second ranked opponent in three days, welcoming St. John's to Klockner Stadium. This time, however, it was the home team that came out on top, notching a 2-0 victory over the Red Storm. Sophomore Brian James scored first for the Hoos, getting a close in goal off a deflection in the 21st minute. Freshman Jordan Allen provided the insurance goal, stealing the ball from the SJU defender and scoring unassisted in the 82nd minute.

Virginia travels to Clemson on Friday to open ACC play. ESPN3 will broadcast the match, which starts at 8pm.