Union Academy in College: Madison a champion

Darius Madison's fifth minute goal in the College Cup semifinal on Friday to beat UMBC was all the offense the Cavaliers produced over the final weekend of the college season, but 195 minutes of gutty defending and a crossbar that kept out two of UCLA's penalty kicks propelled them to their seventh national championship on Sunday.

With Virginia coach George Gelnovatch employing a defensive strategy to shut down MAC Hermann Trophy finalist Leo Stolz and a dynamic UCLA attack, Madison played just 46 minutes in the final and didn't see the field for either overtime period or the penalty shootout. When he was on the field, he proved to be Virginia's biggest threat going forward as he was against the Retrievers.

The junior from Philadelphia's semifinal goal was his fourth of the season to go with one assist and was the only goal UMBC conceded in five games. It came off a turnover deep in UMBC territory. You can see highlights from the game below.

Virginia was the 16th seed (of 16 seeded teams) in the field of 48. UCLA was the No. 2 seed. Virginia beat defending champions and No. 1 overall seed Notre Dame, 8th seeded Georgetown and UNC Wilmington en route to the crown. Madison, who was one of six Cavaliers named to the College Cup All-Tournament Team, described winning the national championship as the "best moment" of his life on Twitter.

Hands down best moment of my life

— darius madison (@DariusMilez21) December 15, 2014