Cavaliers Down Connecticut 1-0 in Double Overtime
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UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The No. 7 Virginia women’s soccer team concluded play at the Penn State Invitational on Sunday with a 1-0 double overtime victory over Connecticut. Meghan Lenczyk (McLean, Va.) converted a penalty kick in the 106th minute to give the Cavaliers the victory.
“If we come out of this game with a draw, instead of a win, I think we would have felt disappointed,” said Virginia head coach Steve Swanson. “I thought we controlled play most of the game. We got a little fatigued, but I told the team that we need to be able to win games when we are not at our best. UConn battled hard, were well organized and had a good game plan. To get a win against a good team when you aren’t playing your best, that is a good sign.”
The Cavaliers controlled play in the first half, having a 9-2 shot advantage and a 6-0 corner kick edge, but couldn’t capitalize on those chances and the game remained scoreless at the half. The second half was much like the first, with the Cavaliers controlling the play and not being able to convert their chances. At the end of regulation, Virginia had a 15-4 shot advantage.
“I thought we played extremely well in the first half,” said Swanson. “We didn’t bury our chances and it kind of left the door open for them as the game went on.”
Virginia (3-0-1) finally broke through in the second overtime. In the 106th minute, Gloria Douglas (Fayetteville, N.C.) was fouled in the box, setting up Lenczyk’s penalty kick winner.
Overall, Virginia outshot the Huskies 16-7 and had a 10-2 corner kick advantage. Chantel Jones (Midlothian, Va.) made six saves for the Cavaliers to post her third shutout of the season. UConn (0-2-1) keeper Jessica Dulski made five saves.
The Cavaliers return home next weekend when they host Richmond on Friday. The game is slated for 5:30 p.m. and is the middle match of a soccer tripleheader at Klöckner Stadium. The reigning NCAA Champion Virginia men’s team opens its season at 8 p.m. against UAB. In the first game of the day, the Virginia Tech men play St. John’s at 2:30 p.m.
No. 7 Virginia 1, Connecticut 0
Connecticut (0-2-1) 0 0 0 0 – 0
#7 Virginia (3-0-1) 0 0 0 1 – 1
Scoring Summary:
UVa. Meghan Lenczyk 5 (penalty kick) 106′
Shots: UVa 16, UConn 7
Corners: UVa 10, UConn 2
Saves: UVa 6 (Jones 6), UConn 6 (Dulski 5, Team 1)
Fouls: UVa 10, UConn 10
Offsides: UVa 1, UConn 2