Women’s Soccer: Cavaliers begin two-week exhibition tour of Italy

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Posted on Thursday, May. 25, 2023, 10:00 pm

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Courtesy UVA Media Relations

Photo: UVA Athletics

The Virginia women’s soccer team hits the road Thursday to kick off a two-week tour of Italy that includes three exhibition games. The trip runs May 26 through June 7 and features stops in Rome, Florence and Como.

The Cavaliers will play two contests in Rome with the first coming against AS Roma Primavera (May 28) before facing Ternana Women (May 30). Virginia will also play a friendly against Como Women (June 6) to close out the trip.

“This is our fifth trip taking our team on an extended tour overseas and each of them has brought our team closer together on and off the field,” said Virginia head coach Steve Swanson. “Italy is an ideal destination given the time of year we are visiting and the places we are visiting in Rome, Florence and Como.

“It’s also ideal with the level of soccer we will compete against and watch throughout the trip. More than anything, it gives us a perfect opportunity to continue building our team for the fall while immersing ourselves in another culture in order to learn and grow.”

In addition to the three friendlies, the Cavaliers will also take in some Serie A professional matches and tour various locations including the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Basilica and the Coliseum.

This is the fifth time the Hoos have been afforded the opportunity to travel for an exhibition tour with previous stops including Brazil, England, France and Belgium, and Hawai’i.

The Cavaliers return 22 letterwinners from last year’s squad that includes three returning All-ACC players and three-time All-American Lia Godfrey. Virginia advanced to the Elite Eight at the NCAA Tournament in the program’s 29th straight NCAA Tournament appearance and 35th appearance overall. Virginia finished the 2022 season ranked seventh nationally after posting a 16-4-3 record and a 6-2-2 mark in ACC play. The 2022 Cavaliers posted five wins over nationally-ranked opponents, including road wins over a pair of top five opponents.

Virginia also welcomes one of the top recruiting classes in the nation to the fold for the upcoming season.