Cavaliers Top Army 2-0 in NCAA First Round
Story Links
Video Highlights
CHARLOTTESVILLE The Virginia women’s soccer team advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament with a 2-0 victory over Army Friday night at Klckner Stadium. The Cavaliers outshot the Black Knights 22-1 in the contest and used goals from Sinead Farrelly (Havertown, Pa.) and Jess Rostedt (Kent, Ohio) to advance to the round of 32 of the NCAA Tournament for the 15th consecutive season.
“I thought we did some good things tonight,” said head coach Steve Swanson. “Army is very organized and a difficult team to play against. It had been a while since we had played a team that stayed back so much against us.”
The Cavaliers (14-4-3), the No. 2 seed in the UCLA region, took a 1-0 lead in the 26th minute of play. A clearance by the Army defense came right to Farrelly at the top of the penalty area. The sophomore midfielder took a touch before firing in her fifth goal of the season. Virginia added a second goal in the 58th minute. Sarah Senty (Arlington, Va.), playing in her school record-tying 91st career game, sent a ball over the top to Rostedt, who sent a ball inside the far post from inside the area for her third goal of the season.
“I thought our possession was good tonight,” said Swanson. “We made them work defensively. When you make it hard for them to get the ball and then to keep the ball, it is hard to get into any rhythm offensively.
In addition to the 22-1 shot advantage, Virginia had a 8-0 corner kick advantage. Cavalier goalkeeper Celeste Miles (Garland, Texas) posted her ninth shutout of the season, while Alex Lostetter made six saves for Army.
Army ends the season with a 12-6-3 record. The Black Knights made their first NCAA Tournament appearance, giving retiring head coach Gene Ventriglia an opportunity to coach in the tournament.
“This was my last game,” said Ventriglia. “I thought I would be sad, but I am not. I have coached for 24 years and it was a great journey. I am so proud of this team and how they played tonight. They fought hard like a typical Army team.”
“It is always sad for me to see someone like Gene leave the profession,” said Swanson. “His team played very hard tonight. They reflected the principles that the academy and Gene stand for. We will miss him next year.”
Virginia will meet West Virginia in a second round game Sunday at noon at Klckner Stadium. The Mountaineers scored a 2-1 victory over Princeton in the other first round game Friday in Charlottesville. The game will be a rematch of a regular season game from September in Morgantown, won by West Virginia 3-0.
VIRGINIA 2, ARMY 0
Army (12-6-3) 0 0 – 0
Virginia (14-4-3) 1 1 – 2
Scoring:
UVa Sinead Farrelly 5 (unassisted) 26’
UVa Jess Rostedt 3 (Sarah Senty 8) 58’
Cautions:
none
Shots: UVa 22, Army 1
Corners: UVa 8, Army 0
Saves: UVa 0 (Miles 0), Army 6 (Lostetter 6)
Fouls: UVa 6, Army 10
Weather: 60 degrees, overcast
Attendance: 523