Cavaliers Blank Long Island 2-0 in NCAA First Round
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CHARLOTTESVILLE – The eighth-ranked Virginia women’s soccer team opened play in the 2011 NCAA Tournament with a 2-0 victory over Long Island in a first round match Friday night at Klöckner Stadium. The Cavaliers used first half goals from Julia Roberts (Frederick, Md.) and Morgan Brian (St. Simons Island, Ga.) to post its school record 13th home win of the season.
Virginia (15-4-2) will meet either Kentucky or Washington State in the second round on Friday, Nov. 18, at 7 p.m. at Klöckner Stadium. Long Island ends its season with a 12-8-1 record.
“It was a good win to open the tournament,” said head coach Steve Swanson. “I thought we moved the ball quite well and obviously getting that first goal was important. I thought we had chances to break the game open and it didn’t happen. I didn’t think there was a time, maybe other than the last minute or so, when we weren’t in control of the game. I thought Long Island put up a good fight and they were organized defensively.”
The Cavaliers took the early lead in the fourth minute. After a foul just outside the box, Roberts curled a shot over the wall and into the net for her sixth goal of the season, her third coming off a direct free kick. Brian doubled the lead in the 44th minute, placing a cross from Amber Fry (Northfield, Ill.) just inside the post for her ninth goal of the season.
“Would we have liked to finish some more goals? Definitely,” said Swanson. “Even up 2-0, they never really came out and put pressure on us. I thought we were in control, but we could have been better in the attacking third. Credit Long Island for playing well defensively.”
Virginia outshot Long Island 19-4 for the game and had a 5-1 corner kick edge. Chantel Jones (Midlothian, Va.) made two saves for Virginia to post her 45th career shutout, giving her sole possession of the NCAA record. Jennifer Bannon made two saves for the Blackbirds.
The Cavaliers will host second and third action next weekend at Klöckner Stadium. There will be a doubleheader on Friday with two second round games. Virginia will play the Kentucky-Washington State winner at 7 p.m. The first game will be at 4 p.m. between Texas A&M and the West Virginia-Virginia Tech winner. Friday’s winners will play in the third round on Sunday at 1 p.m.
#8 Virginia 2, Long Island 0
Long Island (12-8-1) 0 0 – 0
#8 Virginia (15-4-2) 2 0 – 2
Scoring Summary
1. UVa. Julia Roberts (unassisted) 4′
2. UVa. Morgan Brian 9 (Amber Fry 2) 44′
Shots: UVa 19, LIU 4
Corners: UVa 5, LIU 1
Saves: UVa 2 (Chantel Jones 2), LIU 2 (Jennifer Bannon 2)
Fouls: UVa 7, LIU 18
Attendance: 590
Postgame Press Conference with Julia Roberts, Morgan Brian and Chantel Jones