Courtesy of the Richmond Times-Dispatch:

Evans’ relishes role as Cavaliers ‘closer’
By Michael Phillips

If Jordan Evans takes the field late in tonight’s College Cup semifinal, that’s a good sign for U.Va.

The senior midfielder, a Thomas Dale graduate who played his first two seasons at Richmond, is the Cavs’ version of a closer, coming in at the end of games to fend off desperation plays by the opposition.

"Toward the end of the game, if you’re winning, the other team isn’t really playing soccer, per se," he said. "They’re more just throwing the ball forward and hoping we make a mistake."

Perhaps no team in the country has been as good at eliminating those mistakes as Virginia -- the team hasn’t allowed a goal in 11 games entering tonight’s College Cup semifinal against Wake Forest.

Both sides know what to expect as the teams meet for the third time this season. If history is an indication, the match should be competitive. Virginia won 1-0 in the regular season, then edged out a scoreless victory in the ACC tournament with a 5-4 edge in penalty kicks.

ACC dominance has been a theme in this year’s tournament, as the other semifinal pits No. 5 North Carolina against No. 1 Akron.

"The majority of the best players in the nation come here on the East Coast, and there are some guys that come from the West Coast," U.Va. midfielder Jimmy Simpson said. "Six of the top 10 teams are from the ACC, so the level of competition is unbelievable."

With the tournament being hosted in North Carolina this year, it’s no surprise that tickets sold out well in advance for what promised to be a showcase of the conference’s ability.

"We finished 4-3-1 in the conference, but we were still top five in the country," Evans said. "You can’t really compare anything to the ACC -- there’s nothing like it."

Evans arrived at Virginia from UR after his sophomore season but was limited at first by an ankle injury. Since then, he’s settled into a groove and has seen action in 10 games this season.

Most substitutions happen late in the game, so he’ll watch the first half with an eye toward how the action is unfolding. If the opponent prefers to play in the air, he’ll prepare for a lot of headers. If it’s on the ground, he’ll get ready to use his feet.

"I think it’s almost harder coming off the bench, since you don’t really get used to the flow of the game," he said. "You’ve got to be ready for any situation."

The team traveled to Cary, N.C., on Wednesday for the games, but soccer won’t be the only thing on their minds. As Simpson talked to reporters yesterday, a handful of his teammates were headed over to N.C. State to take final exams, administered remotely.

Simpson has two papers and a test looming Monday, but he wouldn’t mind an extended stay in Cary. The title game is Sunday, should the Cavs reach it.

Virginia last advanced to the Cup in 2006, when the team lost to UCLA in the semifinal round. The team’s last title, in 1994, capped off a remarkable run of four straight orchestrated by then-coach Bruce Arena, who was on hand for Friday’s quarterfinal game in Charlottesville.

This year’s team seems every bit as talented, and for Evans and the other seniors, a College Cup appearance is a fitting way to go out.

"To end my college career at a final four -- and maybe a national championship -- I can’t ask for much more than that," he said.