Women’s Soccer: Hoos fall against No. 2 Blue Devils, 3-1

By Colin Moore
JerryRatcliffe.com correspondent

Virginia’s losing streak reached four matches Thursday in Durham, as second-ranked Duke held on for a 3-1 win in a hard-fought ACC battle.

This match was full of action for the entire 90 minutes, as both teams showed that they like to possess the ball and build their attacks starting with their back lines, but also aren’t afraid of attacking with numbers as well. Unfortunately for the Wahoos, the Blue Devils (8-1-0, 3-0-0 ACC) were able to capitalize on their opportunities better.

HOW IT HAPPENED 

It was an exciting, action-filled first half of soccer as both teams were not afraid of pushing numbers while also being mindful of the talent level of these ACC opponents. The two teams were going back and forth, end to end alternating opportunities for the majority of the first half.

The Cavaliers (8-4-0, 1-4-0) had a great early chance in the match when Maggie Cagle made a great run behind Duke’s defenders towards the corner. She was able to turn her defender and dribble along the end line before crossing a ball to Allie Ross, who just couldn’t make the proper connection on the ball to redirect it towards the net.

Moments later, Duke found the ball near midfield and played striker Farrah Walters, who laid the ball back to Maggie Graham, she then played the ball over UVA’s defense. Walters was able to run onto the ball and dribble past sliding Hoos goalkeeper Victoria Safradin just outside of the box. Walters then calmly put the ball into the open net from a difficult angle to open the scoring in the match.

The Hoos had another dangerous opportunity in the 40th minute when Cagle played yet another dangerous ball across the 6-yard box of the Blue Devils. The ball bounced around before finding Yuna McCormack, who took a quick shot that deflected off the standing leg of Duke goalie Leah Freeman. Freeman was just in perfect positioning to help keep the Blue Devils in the lead heading into halftime, 1-0.

Duke was able to strike just 3 minutes into the second half on a great cross by Ella Hase. She was able to pick out the perfect cross with her left foot that found the head of Mia Oliaro on the back post, who headed the ball down into the corner.

The Blue Devils scored on another header in the 65th minute. Duke’s Sophia Recupero played a cross towards the middle of the box where Devin Lynch headed a perfect ball while falling backwards into the corner of the goal for their third in the match.

The Hoos were able to get their one and only goal a little too late. The goal occurred in the 79th minute off of a corner kick taken by Linda Mittermair. Mittermair took an inswinging corner where Meredith McDermott was able to beat out both a Duke defender and goalie Leah Freeman and shoulder the ball into the back of the net.

GOALS
DUKE: 9’ –  Ferra Walters (Maggie Graham)
DUKE: 48’ – Mia Oliaro (Ella Hase)
DUKE: 65’ – Devin Lynch (Mia Oliaro)
UVA: 79’ – Meredith Mcdermott (Linda Mittermair)

ADDITIONAL NOTES

• Thursday’s loss marks the first time Steve Swanson has lost four straight in his entire 25 years of coaching for UVA.
• Duke recorded its first home win against Virginia since 2016.

UP NEXT

The Cavaliers return to Klöckner Stadium on Thursday (Oct. 10) for a 7-p.m. opening kick against NC State, and then welcome in SMU on Sunday (Oct. 13) at 1 p.m.