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20 CAVALIER CORNER BY QUINN HULL T he structure and culture of college soccer makes up a unique section within the world's game. For UVA's Swedish midfielder, Albin Gashi, there was a lot to learn about the college ranks as well as Virginia's place in it. Foreign players and spectators will quickly notice differences in college soc- cer compared to the international game. A unique set of details differentiate the college game, ranging from a reversed game clock, to a completely different means of crowning a champion through postseason tournaments. "To be honest, I didn't really under- stand how the regular season or the ACC Championship worked when I came in," Gashi said. "[UVA head coach George Gelnovatch] told me a bit about the history of the program throughout the recruiting process and that we are a team that is supposed to win and compete." For all of UVA's storied history, Gashi joined the program at a difficult moment when he arrived for his first season in 2022. The Cavaliers had missed the NCAA Tournament for an unprecedented two consecutive seasons following a shootout defeat in the 2019 College Cup final to Georgetown — another one of Gashi's po- tential suitors in the recruiting process. Few players remained on the roster from the team that played its way to the College Cup final just three seasons prior to Gashi's arrival, but he quickly became close with fellow Scandinavian Andreas Ueland. As a first-year out of Norway in 2019, Ueland played every minute at center back through Gashi, a captain on this year's squad, is looking to lead the Cavaliers on a deeper NCAA Tournament run than last season's round of 16 showing. (Photo by Jamie Holt/courtesy UVA) STRONG STRONG FOUNDATION FOUNDATION Third-Year Albin Gashi Is At The Heart Of The Men's Soccer Team's Midfield