No. 2 Virginia men rally for 2-1 exhibition victory at George Mason

The second-ranked Virginia men’s soccer team earned a 2-1 victory in a road exhibition played Saturday night in Fairfax, Va., at George Mason. Sophomore forward Will Bates (Chester, Va.) scored the game-winning goal for the Cavaliers, while sophomore midfielder Ari Dimas (Chesapeake, Va.) had a goal and an assist for UVa.
 
Virginia wraps up its preseason slate with a 3-0 record in exhibition play and opens the regular season next weekend at Klöckner Stadium against UAB (Friday at 8 p.m.) and St. John’s (Sunday at 3 p.m.).
 
George Mason got on the scoreboard first, as Parker Walton gave the Patriots a 1-0 lead in the 29th minute. After Taylor Morgan’s service from the left side, Derek Markheim fired a shot on goal. UVa goalkeeper Diego Restrepo (West Palm Beach, Fla.) made the initial save on Markheim’s shot, but Walton put away the rebound for the goal.
 
In the second half, sophomore midfielder Dimas continued his offensive efficiency in the preseason, scoring his third goal in as many exhibitions in the 59th minute. Dimas’ shot from the right side found the upper left corner to even the score at 1-1. Freshman Brian “Cobi” Span (Somers, N.Y.) had the assist.
 
Later in the second half, Dimas served a ball deep into the penalty box and found Bates’ head. Bates put the header away to the top left corner in the 73rd minute to give the Cavaliers the win.
 
Restrepo finished with seven saves in 90 minutes in goal for UVa.
 
The Cavaliers were out-shot, 17-15, and the Patriots held a 6-4 advantage on corner kicks.