CHARLOTTESVILLA, Va. – The No. 24/19 Xavier men’s soccer team scored a late equalizer and continued its unbeaten streak on Friday after playing to a 1-1 double-overtime draw against Virginia at Klockner Stadium.

Junior midfielder Gino De Paoli scored for the Musketeers (4-0-2) on a free kick in the 85^th minute against the Cavaliers (3-2-1).

Virginia jumped ahead after a scoreless first half in the 67^th minute on a deflected goal from the Cavaliers’ Brian James. The window was narrowing for the Musketeers to draw even when a foul on the 30 yards out set up De Paoli’s free kick.

De Paoli’s direct kick from the far side of the field found the inside of the far post and hit off the Cavalier goalkeeper before touching down inside the net. It was De Paoli’s second score of the season and the fourth free-kick goal of his career.

Xavier had its four-game winning streak snapped with the draw against the six-time NCAA Championship. The Musketeers did lengthen their program-best unbeaten streak to six matches. It is the longest unbeaten streak since the 1995 season.

Goalkeeper Justin Marshall had his best game in goal for the Musketeers this season making four saves, including a game-saving stop after Xavier tied the score.

Virginia’s Darius Madison tested Marshall after freeing himself behind the Xavier backline. Madison ripped a shot that Marshall turned away to keep the game even and send it into extra periods.

Marshall also kept the sheet clean in the 16^th minute by stopping Will Bates’ shot and quickly recovering to jump on the rebound and extinguish any follow up chances.

The only blemish against Marshall was the Virginia goal, which deflected off Xavier defender Nick Hagglund. James’ goal went unassisted.

With 90 seconds remaining it looked as though Xavier had tallied the game-winning goal, but sophomore Darin Kruzich was called offsides, one of the five that Xavier had on the night.

No real threats were had in the overtime periods in the first ever meeting between the two clubs and the game ended in a draw.

The Musketeers had three scoring chances in the first half. De Paoli slipped through the defense and missed wide in the opening minute and Xavier had two shots that hit off the crossbar in the 38^th minute.

Virginia held advantages in the shots (15-12), corner kicks (13-7). Xavier committed 12 fouls to Virginia’s 13 at the end of 110 minutes of play.

The first half was even as the Musketeers and Cavaliers traded scoring chances. Xavier held a 7-6 shot advantage in the period, but Virginia seized a 7-1 corner kick advantage.

Xavier continues its short trip away from home on Wednesday against IPFW. That game begins in Fort Wayne, Ind. at 7 p.m. The Musketeers beat the Mastadons 5-0 at home last season. 

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