Krzysik's 90th Minute Goal Lifts UVa Over W&M
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CHARLOTTESVILLE Nikki Krzysik (Clifton, Va.) scored with 14 seconds remaining to give Virginia a 1-0 victory over William & Mary in a NCAA second round match Sunday at Klckner Stadium. The win propels the Cavaliers into the round of 16 for the third consecutive season where they will meet UCLA.
“It is hard that there had to be a winner and a loser in this game,” said Virginia head coach Steve Swanson. “I have tremendous respect for the William & Mary program and John Daly is a legend in our sport. Their players fought hard and we have been on the other side of these outcomes before. On the other side, I am so proud of our team. We had a shaky start but gained momentum as the game went along. How fitting was it that it was our two center backs were involved in the game-winning goal? As (W&M) put more numbers behind the ball in the second half we were able to put more pressure on them and create some chances. As well as we played in the second half, I thought we would find a way to get one. I just didn’t think it would take as long as it did. At least we were able to get it in regulation.”
The teams played to a scoreless first half with each side posting six shots. Both teams had quality chances to breakthrough before the break only to be denied by the keepers. In the second half, Virginia increased its pressure and had the better of play, outshooting the Tribe 15-3. The Cavaliers scored the only goal of the game with 14 seconds to play. A corner kick was played over the box to the far side where Sarah Curtis (Yellow Springs, Ohio) tracked it down. Curtis played the ball to Becky Sauerbrunn (St. Louis, Mo.) at the top of the 18-yard box. Sauerbrunn took a touch and fired a shot towards goal that Krzysik, standing inside the 6-yard box, flicked with her head past the keeper and into the net for her fourth goal of the season.
“It was a close game where we were better in the first half and they were better in the second,” said William & Mary head coach John Daly. “Our team played with so much heart and effort and to lose it in the final seconds is cruel. Virginia is a talented team, but we had a chance to win the game and that’s all I can ask of our kids.”
The Cavaliers (13-3-6) outshot the Tribe (15-5-2) 21-9 in the game and had an 8-3 corner kick advantage. Chantel Jones (Midlothian, Va.) made five saves for the Cavaliers to post her 13th shutout of the season, tying Christina de Vries’ school record for shutouts in a season set in 2004. The shutout was also the 15th of the year for the Cavaliers, setting a new school record. Meghan Walker made seven saves in net for William & Mary.
The Cavaliers will play UCLA in a third round match next weekend. Game time, date, and location will be announced later.
#17 Virginia 1, William & Mary 0
William & Mary (15-5-2) 0 0 0
#17 Virginia (13-3-6) 0 1 1
Scoring Summary
1. UVa. Krzysik, 4 (Sauerbrunn, 3; Curtis, 1)
UVa W&M
Shots: 21 9
Corners: 8 3
Saves: 5 8
Fouls: 4 2
Cautions: none
Weather: 56 degrees, clear
Attendance: 708
NOTES: Virginia advances to the NCAA round of 16 for the third consecutive season … Krzysik’s goal marks the first time in her career she has scored in consecutive games … the goal with 14 seconds remaining is the latest game-winning goal in regulation for Virginia since Darci Borski scored with three seconds left to left UVa to a 1-0 win over NC State in 2002 … Virginia has now undefeated (32-0-2) in its last 34 games against intrastate opponents … the Cavalier remain unbeaten at home this year (11-0-2).