The Virginia Cavaliers men’s team started their season on the right foot with a dominant performance against Iona at home in Klöckner. After an up-and-down first few minutes, Virginia controlled the play throughout, attempting 24 shots to Iona’s 4 and scoring the lone goal of the game.
Virginia’s breakthrough came after a beautiful sequence in the 70th minute, delivered by forward Daniel Mangarov off the bench. After Reese Miller’s cutback pass, the ball fell to Leo Afonso’s feet near the penalty spot, who back-heeled a nifty pass to Mangarov at the top of the box. Mangarov’s low driven shot caromed off the right post into the net, leaving Iona goalkeeper Juan Alfaro Monge no chance.