NCAAM: Virginia defeats Liberty 4-2 in preseason match

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (Via University of Virginia) – The Virginia men’s soccer team defeated Liberty, 4-2, in exhibition play Tuesday night at Klöckner Stadium. It was the second of three home friendlies for the Cavaliers in the preseason.

Ranked 17th nationally in the preseason NSCAA poll, UVA completes the preseason at 7 p.m. Saturday (Aug. 20) at home against No. 10 Georgetown. Admission is free.

Virginia out-shot Liberty 22-5 and put eight shots on goal to two for Liberty. Sergi Nus (So., Barcelona, Spain) scored a pair of first-half goals for the Cavaliers.

+Read: Duke plays No. 10 Georgetown to scoreless preseason draw

The Cavaliers jumped out to an early lead in the eighth minute, as Daniel Barir (So., Copenhagen, Denmark) slotted a short pass just outside the top of the box to Nus, who lofted it over the keeper and just inside the right post for the goal.

UVA tacked onto its lead in the 44th minute when Paddy Foss (Sr., South Riding, Va.) sent a cross deep into the center of the box from the right flank, with Nus heading the ball in from just outside the six-yard box.

Liberty scored early in the second half following a UVA defensive blunder deep in its half of the field, but the Cavaliers responded seven minutes later when the Liberty keeper booted a ball that caromed off a charging Wesley Wade (So., South Orange, N.J.) at the top of the box and bounced back across the goal line.

UVA pushed its lead to 4-1 on a score by Leon Maric (Fr., Gilbertsville, Pa.) following a beautiful cross from Raheem Taylor-Parkes (Fr., Tampa, Fla.). Liberty scored the final goal on a penalty kick.

Virginia kicks off its regular-season schedule on Friday, Aug. 26, at home against No. 21 Coastal Carolina.