Cavaliers Open Season Friday at No. 6 Penn State

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UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The No. 11 Virginia women’s soccer team kicks off its 2009 schedule Friday night as it visits No. 6 Penn State. Game time at Jeffrey Field on the Penn State campus is set for 7 p.m.

The Cavaliers are looking to open the season with a victory for the 10th consecutive year. During head coach Steve Swanson’s tenure, Virginia is 9-0-0 in season openers, outscoring opponents 38-0.

Virginia is coming off a pair of preseason exhibitions against Big East foes. The Cavaliers tied No. 5 Notre Dame 3-3 in Maple City, Mich. on Aug. 14 and downed Georgetown 5-1 at Klöckner Stadium on Aug. 16. First-year Caroline Miller (Rockville, Md.) scored two goals against the Fighting Irish, while junior Meghan Lenczyk (McLean, Va.) led UVa with a hat trick against the Hoyas.

Penn State also faced a Big East opponent in their lone exhibition, defeating Pittsburgh 2-1 at Jeffrey Field on Aug. 15.

The Nittany Lions lead the all-time series 4-1, including a 3-1 mark at Jeffrey Field. The last meeting between teams was a 5-2 Penn State win in University Park in 2005.

The Cavaliers open their home schedule next weekend as they host a pair of games at Klöckner Stadium. On Friday, Aug. 28, Virginia hosts Liberty at 7 p.m. in its home opener. On Sunday, Aug. 30, it hosts Hofstra at 1 p.m.