Restrepo's run key to Cavs' streak

In August of 2007, Diego Restrepo was the starting goalie for the University of South Florida soccer team when the Bulls visited Klockner Stadium to play Virginia in the Cavaliers’ season opener.

“I just remember walking into Klockner and being like, ‘Wow, this is what college soccer is supposed to be like,’” Restrepo recalled. “I loved the place.”

Apparently, the adoration ran pretty deep. After the season was over, Restrepo (whose USF squad lost to UVa, 1-0) decided to transfer to Virginia.

Today, Restrepo owns the Virginia record for shutouts in a season (13) and is one of the main reasons why the Wahoos have put together their most dominant stretch of play in recent memory.

Virginia hasn’t lost since Oct. 2, a streak of 12 games. The run includes an ACC tournament championship and a 5-0 obliteration of Bucknell in the second round of the NCAA tournament last weekend.

On Sunday at 1 p.m., second-seeded Virginia (15-3-3) hosts Portland at Klockner Stadium. The winner advances to the quarterfinals to play the winner between Maryland and Harvard.

Virginia’s stellar play of late has all started on the defensive end, especially in the net. Arguably the team’s MVP, Restrepo hasn’t allowed a goal in the team’s last nine games — a span of over 927 minutes, which is a new school record. The last goal he allowed came 12 minutes, 26 seconds into the Cavaliers’ victory over Virginia Tech on Oct. 17.

The mark was previously held by Tony Meola, the former Virginia, MLS and U.S. national team star who happened to be Restrepo’s idol as a kid growing up in Colombia.

Restrepo, who was born in Venezuela, lived in Colombia until the age of 13 before moving to West Palm Beach, Fla., with his family. Surprisingly, Restrepo, a United States citizen — his father is American — didn’t began playing goalie until late in middle school. Before that, he played all over the field.

When his team’s starting goalie went down with an injury, Restrepo decided to give the position a try. Before long, Restrepo was playing for the U.S. under-17 national team residency program and was being recruited by a host of colleges.

Restrepo originally committed to Santa Clara before changing his mind at the last minute and attending USF so that he could be closer to home.

After redshirting his freshman year, Restrepo had two pretty good years at USF — but he wanted more out of his college experience.

“When I played in the Big East, everyone used to say that the ACC had the best soccer and that it was the best conference,” Restrepo said. “Playing in the Big East, you kind of don’t want to believe it, but I just followed my gut and started looking at better places.

“My family and I made the decision that we wanted a bigger program, more tradition and better academics.”

Enter Virginia, a place Restrepo was already familiar with from his visit.

Restrepo recalled his talk with Virginia coach George Gelnovatch.

“He didn’t promise me anything,” Restrepo said. “He said I’d have to come in and win my spot.”

Restrepo did much more than that. He impressed from the get-go — and not just with his athleticism. Gelnovatch was taken aback with what he calls Restrepo’s “soccer smarts.”

“He really understands the game,” Gelnovatch said. “It’s like having a quarterback who’s talented, but also can read defenses and organize people.

“From that part, we definitely got a lot more than we bargained for.”

Teammates rave about Restrepo’s contributions. Freshman Will Bates cited the win over Wake Forest in the semifinals of the ACC tournament as an example of what Restrepo has provided.

“If any of those balls go in, it’s a different game,” Bates said. “In Maryland, he did the same thing.

“Any big game this year, we’ve relied on him to make one or two big saves here and there, and he’s come through.”

Added senior Jonathan Villanueva: “He’s really brought a sense of working hard and toughness with him.”

Restrepo can’t wait for Sunday. His family, now living in Miami, is making the trip up to Charlottesville for the game. It will be the first time they’ve seen him in a Virginia uniform.

Restrepo, though, seems extremely focused on the task at hand.

“Postseason is a new season and there’s no margin for errors,” he said. “Portland is a great team ... we’re looking forward to playing them.”