Women’s Soccer: No. 2 Cavaliers win a tough battle, 3-1, at Miami

By Colin Moore
JerryRatcliffe.com correspondent

No. 2 Virginia got a great result in a hard-fought battle away in South Florida on Thursday night, using a pair of late goals to seal the 3-1 victory at Miami.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The undefeated Cavaliers (8-0-0, 1-0-0 ACC) opened up the scoring in the 8th minute on a free kick by Alexis Theoret. Theoret played a very dangerous bouncing ball in the box, and both the pace of the ball and the run by Allie Ross forced the goalkeeper to misjudge the ball, allowing for the first goal for the Cavaliers.

Goalkeeper Victoria Safradin made a great reaction save by deflecting the ball over her crossbar in the 16th minute, forcing a Hurricanes corner.

The Hoos had another dangerous free kick from a similar spot as where they scored their first goal in the 19th minute, but this time Miami goalkeeper Grey Wilson was able to make the save.

There was a water break causing the clock to stop at 19:01 left in the opening half. Quickly after the water break, UVA’s Maggie Cagle made a dangerous run inside the Hurricanes box. Initially the referee called for a “play on,” but was soon asked to take a look by VAR.

After final review, UVA was awarded a penalty kick. Cagle stepped up to take the shot but Wilson made a great save diving to her left.

Miami answered back in the closing minutes of the half on a corner kick. The corner occurred in the 41st minute and was a dangerous ball driven to the back post, where Miami’s Crosby Nicholson headed the ball into the back of the net. This was only the Cavaliers second conceded goal on the season.

The second half started with both teams generating scoring opportunities, none counting until UVA’s opportunity in the 76th minute. Sophia Bradley made a great solo run down the left side of the field before making a cross that ultimately found Ross. Ross was able to complete the easy tap-in to go ahead one goal, 2-1, on the Hurricanes.

Sophia Bradley was off to the races and Allie Ross runs with her and cleans it up to double the lead!

📺 ACCNX#GoHoos | #ALLIN pic.twitter.com/Wb6pBWdDx8

— Virginia Women’s Soccer (@UVAWomenSoccer) September 13, 2024

Just two minutes later in the 78th minute, the Hoos found the back of the net again on yet another fantastic set piece by Theroet. This time, defender Tatum Galvin was able to find the ball and put away for the Cavaliers’ third goal of the night.

Tatum Galvin gets in the scoring column to make it 3-1 for the Hoos!

📺 ACCNX#GoHoos | #ALLIN pic.twitter.com/FzkSnAnTwM

— Virginia Women’s Soccer (@UVAWomenSoccer) September 13, 2024

GOALS
UVA: 8’ — Alexis Theoret (free kick)
Miami: 41’ — Crosby Nicholson (corner)
UVA: 76’ — Allie Ross (Sophia Bradley)
UVA: 78’ — Tatum Galvin (Alexis Theoret)

ADDITIONAL NOTES

• UVA outshot the Hurricanes 11-3 in the second half
• The Cavaliers allowed just their second goal of the season in eight games
• The offense wore Miami down, controlled the possession

FROM HEAD COACH STEVE SWANSON

“We got the goal in the second half, which was huge, great transition goal for us that settled us down a little bit more.

“It was a tough game and it was always going to be a tough game the way the game went, with [the Hurricanes] always being in such a low defensive block, so give our kids credit. They fought hard, played some good soccer, and we got the win, which is the most important thing for us.”

UP NEXT

Virginia faces off against Wake Forest this Sunday at Klöckner Stadium. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m.