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VIRGINIA MEN'S SOCCER WINS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP OVER UCLA

Stout Virginia defense and steady penalty kicks lead Virginia to the program's seventh national championship!

Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports

For the seventh time in program history, your Virginia Cavaliers men's soccer team are the national champions!

After a scoreless match in regulation and both overtime periods, the 16th-seeded Cavaliers upset No. 2 seed UCLA in penalty kicks to take the College Cup crown.

Quickly becoming a staple across all Virginia sports, it was defense that saved the day for the Hoos, who played 110 minutes of impenetrable defense to take the game to penalty kicks, which fed right into head coach George Gelnovatch's pregame plan.

But no big game would be complete without drama for the Cardiac Cavs.

Both UVA's Todd Wharton and UCLA's Brian Iloski converted their first kick to keep it tied at 1-1.

Virginia would falter first as Scott Thomsen's PK would be saved, but UCLA returned the gift as Gabe Zerboni's shot went high into the crossbar.

In the third round, Virginia's Sam Hayward, who had not played any minutes on the day, came up with a big PK, while Willie Raygoza's shot again went into the crossbar to give Virginia the 2-1 lead after three rounds.

Virginia's Patrick Foss and UCLA's Larry Ndjock hit their shots, which gave the Cavaliers a make-it-and-win opportunity for the final PK.

And sophomore forward Riggs Lennon did not disappoint to give Virginia their fourth and championship-winning penalty kick.

This is the second national championship for Gelnovatch, who led the Hoos to the glory land in 2009.

Congratulations to the Hoos for an incredible offseason! Stay tuned to Streaking The Lawn as we raise the new national championship banner!