Women’s Soccer: Virginia downs Princeton, 2-1, in NCAA first round

By Colin Moore
JerryRatcliffe.com correspondent

Virginia was able to seal a 2-1 victory at Klöckner Stadium Friday night in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament against Princeton, thanks to a game-winning goal from Maggie Cagle.

Both teams battled hard and there were numerous goal-scoring opportunities during the entire match, which kept all the fans engaged until the final whistle.

Princeton (14-4-1) actually outshot the Hoos (13-5-0), with 10 shots to UVA’s six. The teams were even on corner kicks with six each, and the Hoos held an advantage in saves, with Victoria Safradin coming up with three, opposed to none from Tyler McCamey.

The game started fairly sloppy in the first few moments as both teams were trying to settle into the postseason competitiveness. There is a difference to the postseason, as you are playing each second to continue your season. It’s either win or go home.

The Cavaliers were stunned just six minutes into the match, as Princeton was able to open the scoring. The Tigers were able to capitalize on a loose ball on their left attacking third, as Heather MacNab found the ball and some open space before playing a perfectly weighted through-ball to Pietra Tordin, who chipped the ball past Safradin from a difficult angle.

The Hoos seemed to be playing with some nerves, as they made unforced careless turnovers all over the field, making it difficult to gain any sort of rhythm.

Meredith McDermott brought great energy and hustled non-stop, pressuring the Princeton defenders and forcing turnovers trying to motivate her team.

In the 14th minute, the Cavaliers struck with a brilliant goal from the left foot of Yuna McCormack. McCormack found the ball from Lia Godfrey in the middle of the field, took one touch to her left and struck a great bouncing ball far-post past McCamey to get the Hoos level again.

The McCormack equalizer from distance!

Watch on ESPN+#GoHoos | #ALLIN pic.twitter.com/x3FZsA58Oe

— Virginia Women’s Soccer (@UVAWomenSoccer) November 16, 2024

UVA made subtle adjustments at the half, as coach Steve Swanson was able to spark the team as they scored just moments into the second half. Cagle found the back of the net for her 7th goal of the season after some incredible play from Godfrey.

Godfrey managed to turn over a Princeton player in the midfield and make a dangerous run towards the back line before slotting a ball out wide to Cagle.

Cagle set up her defender to cut inside on her left foot and shot the ball, which was deflected off the defender’s shin and went up and over McCamey’s outstretched arms for the 2-1 advantage.

Cagle’s strike puts us on top!#GoHoos | #ALLIN pic.twitter.com/GrLnpQcoAP

— Virginia Women’s Soccer (@UVAWomenSoccer) November 16, 2024

There were more chances over the remainder of the half for both teams. The Cavaliers had another near goal from a direct corner from Godfrey. Godfrey possibly went for the “Olimpico” (scoring directly from the corner) as she took an in-swinging corner with her right foot and hit the near post, which ricocheted the ball into the middle of the box and was eventually cleared by the Tigers.

Princeton also had opportunities, notably two free kicks just outside the Cavaliers’ box. The Hoos were able to defend the first opportunity well, as the ball was able to skip into the arms of Safradin. The other opportunity was shot just over the Cavaliers’ crossbar. It was a great, competitive match, as the Hoos were able to battle, going down one goal and getting the important win to continue their season.

GOALS
Princeton: 6’ – Pietra Tordin (Zoe Markesini)
UVA: 14’ – Yuna McCormack (Lia Godfrey)
UVA: 48’ – Maggie Cagle (Lia Godfrey)

Photo Gallery by Nikolozi Khutsishvili

ADDITIONAL NOTES

• The NCAA Tournament berth marks the 36th appearance for the Hoos, which is the second-most appearances nationally in tournament history
• Virginia and Princeton had met twice before, with the Hoos claiming games played in 1997 and 1998, with every match being played in Charlottesville. This was the first meeting in the postseason
• UVA hadn’t played in nearly two weeks, as they didn’t qualify for the ACC tournament
• Godfrey added two more assists, making her eighth all time in UVA history with 29
• Virginia improved to 52-19-7 in NCAA Tournament play under Swanson

FROM HEAD COACH STEVE SWANSON

“That was a good result from our group. We worked hard the last two weeks and it’s not very easy to sit idle for two weeks, train and come back and get a first-round opponent like Princeton. They were very good. What a great season they’ve had. Full respect to their team and program.

“They gave us everything they had, and we knew it was a game that could have gone either way. I’m proud of our team after going down a goal, especially the way that goal happened, and to come back and get the win on two pretty nice goals is great. We’re glad to be moving on and our fans were really fantastic tonight – they made a difference for us.”

UP NEXT

Virginia will face No. 5 seed Wisconsin in the second round of action. The location of the second-round matchup will be determined after top-seeded USC faces Sacramento State on Sunday. See the full tournament bracket here.