Women’s Soccer: No. 25 Virginia rallies to defeat SMU, 2-1

Courtesy UVA Media Relations

Second-half goals from Lia Godfrey and Meredith McDermott powered a Cavalier comeback on Sunday, as No. 25 Virginia rallied to down SMU at Klöckner Stadium.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Mustangs struck first, scoring on a counter after a Virginia turnover in the attacking third. SMU charged down the field, bringing the ball up the middle before it was played out wide on the left for Sophie King.

King sent the ball in toward the six where it was headed on the run by Rose toward the near post. It was almost stopped by the Virginia keeper, but she couldn’t get enough of a handle on it to keep it out of the net.

Virginia (10-4-0, 3-4-0 ACC) evened things up in the 49th minute on a strike from Lia Godfrey. The Cavaliers worked the ball down the left side of the box where Maggie Cagle beat her defender one-on-one to create space for herself. She played a ball back toward the penalty spot where Godfrey struck it on the run, slipping the ball in back toward the left post.

Lia Godfrey brings us level with her first goal of the season!#GoHoos | #ALLIN pic.twitter.com/xkoAITjw6k

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

The Cavaliers took the lead in the 81st minute off the foot of Meredith McDermott. Virginia started its attack down the right side of the field again with Cagle breaking down her defender and getting free for a service into the six. McDermott was waiting and redirected with the touch at the near post and sent it in across goal for the go-ahead score.

It’s that M & M connection as Maggie Cagle finds Meredith McDermott for the lead!#GoHoos | #ALLIN pic.twitter.com/awrtXy0W8J

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

GOALS
SMU: 15’ – Nyah Rose (Sophie King)
UVA: 49’ – Lia Godfrey (Maggie Cagle)
UVA: 81’ – Meredith McDermott (Maggie Cagle)

ADDITIONAL NOTES

• Meredith McDermott’s goal was her second game-winning goal this week as she also hit the game winner against NC State on Thursday night. McDermott has three game winners this season.
• Lia Godfrey’s equalizer in the 49th minute was her first goal of the season. She has 26 career goals.
• Maggie Cagle tallied two assists for the second straight game and for the fifth time in her career. She now has assisted on 11 game-winning goals in her career with the connection with McDermott.
• With the win, Virginia is now 5-1-0 in the series with SMU (6-7-2, 2-4-2) and 2-0-0 in games played in Charlottesville.

FROM HEAD COACH STEVE SWANSON

“It was a good second half to get those two goals. It was disappointing to be in that position, but I think overall we really needed the three points – especially since this game was at home. Our crowd really made a difference. There’s not one player, one coach or anyone in our program that doesn’t appreciate the fans who come out to watch us. That’s the biggest thing we’ll take away from this game was that we got the result, but our crowd was a big part of this. Thanks to them.”

UP NEXT

Virginia heads back out on the road to face No. 22 Florida State on Thursday night. Kick is set for 7 p.m. on ESPNU.