Women’s Soccer: No. 21 UVA notches 2-1 upset at No. 3 Penn State

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Posted on Thursday, Aug. 22, 2024, 11:23 pm

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Courtesy UVA Media Relations

Photo: UVA Athletics

Maggie Cagle’s two goals came as part of a second-half surge from Virginia on Thursday as the 21st-ranked Cavaliers rallied to defeat No. 3 Penn State on the road at Jeffrey Field in University Park, Pa.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Penn State struck in the 15th minute as the Nittany Lions quickly went on the attack off a goal kick following a Virginia shot. Penn State brought the ball down the field and swung out wide to the right side. Olivia Damico lifted a ball into the box from deep and it bounced past the defense to Kaitlyn MacBean at the spot as she ran in from the back side. MacBean finished with her shot toward the bottom left of goal.

Virginia turned the tide in the second half, notching two goals in just over 12 minutes – both from Cagle.

The first strike came on a counter in the 54th minute as a ball over the top fell to the feet of Cagle just inside the penalty arc. The junior forward turned as two defenders converged and the keeper converged and poked the ball post the sliding keeper and into the bottom left corner.

Cagle added her second goal with a penalty kick in the 66th minute. Meredith McDermott went on the attack and was taken down from behind as she entered the top of the box to set up the chance for the Hoos.

The Cavaliers held things in check down the stretch to secure the road win over the Nittany Lions.

GOALS
PSU: 15’ – Kaitlyn MacBean (Olivia Damico)
UVA: 54’ – Maggie Cagle (Unassisted)
UVA: 66’ – Maggie Cagle (Penalty Kick)

ADDITIONAL NOTES

  • With the win, the Cavaliers lead the series with Penn State 9-8-1 and are 6-4-1 in games at Penn State.
  • Virginia has now won two straight in the series and seven of the last eight games in the series.
  • Maggie Cagle’s brace marks her third multiple-goal game of her career and first this season.
  • Victoria Safradin made a career-high six saves as she faced a career-high 20 shots from the Penn State side.

FROM HEAD COACH STEVE SWANSON

“Obviously we were all disappointed with our performance in the first half, but full credit to the team for raising the level of play in the second half and getting the win. This has always been a challenging place for us to play and it was no different tonight.”

UP NEXT

Virginia returns to action at home on Sunday when the Cavaliers host Utah Valley. Kick is set for noon at Klöckner Stadium.