Rode’s 17 saves aid No. 8 UVA’s win over No. 19 High Point, 12-11

Courtesy UVA Media Relations

Alex Rode made 17 saves, including 12 in the second half to help the No. 8 Virginia Cavaliers (4-1) outlast the No. 19 High Point Panthers (1-3) on Wednesday afternoon, 12-11, at Klöckner Stadium.

The Cavaliers were humming in the first quarter, taking a 6-1 lead into the second frame. Peter Garno scored the first of his two goals 52 seconds into the game to get things started. Six different Cavaliers scored in the quarter and Ben Wayer capped the spurt with his first career goal with three seconds left on a Connor Shellenberger helper.

Timely UVA turnovers, faceoff wins and transition helped High Point get back in the game as the Panthers went on a 5-0 run to start the second quarter, tying the game at 6-6. Asher Nolting scored his only goal of the game to cap the run on an extra-man situation with 7:32 left to play before the intermission. UVA responded with goals by Charlie Bertrand and Xander Dickson to take an 8-6 lead into the break. UVA never relinquished the lead again.

The Cavaliers extended its lead in the third quarter to four goals, 11-7, via two goals and assist by Matt Moore.

High Point scored four goals in the final frame to push the envelope, courtesy of 12 UVA turnovers. Rode made six of his saves in the fourth quarter to keep the Panthers at bay. Ian Laviano’s man-up goal with 12:37 left to play proved to be the difference.