Nov. 15, 2008

Charlottesville, Va. - The 2008 Patriot League Women's Soccer Champion Army Black Knights fell to No. 16 Virginia, 2-0, in the first round of the NCAA Women's College Cup at the Cavaliers' Klockner Stadium on Friday. The loss marked the final game for Army Head Coach Gene Ventriglia, who is retiring.

The Black Knights' Second-Team All-Patriot League goalkeeper Alex Lostetter made six saves and allowed the two goals in the loss, as Army (12-6-3) was outshot 22-1 by the Cavaliers. Virginia (14-4-3), making its 15th-straight NCAA appearance, will take on West Virginia in the second round on Sunday.

Winning the Patriot League title sent Army to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in program history, and gave outgoing Ventriglia a chance to coach in the Tournament in his last season with the Black Knights.

"This was my last game," said Ventriglia. "I thought I would be sad, but I am not. I have coached for 24 years and it was a great journey. I am so proud of this team and how they played tonight. They fought hard like a typical Army team."

With the loss, the Patriot League is now 2-12 in the NCAA Tournament, and 0-3 against ACC teams in the Tournament. The last Patriot League team to win an NCAA Tournament game was the 2006 Navy squad that had a scoreless tie with William and Mary, and advanced 5-4 on penalty kicks to the second round. The Mids lost to North Carolina, 4-0, in the second round.