Cavaliers Down George Mason 3-0 for Sixth Straight Win
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CHARLOTTESVILLE – The No. 7 Virginia women’s soccer team scored three goals in a 12-minute span of the first half to roll to a 3-0 victory over George Mason on Friday at the Virginia Nike Soccer Classic at Klöckner Stadium. The Cavaliers (6-1) posted their sixth straight victory, while the Patriots fell to 3-4 on the season.
Junior defender Molly Menchel (Alexandria, Va.) scored Virginia’s first two goals of the night, three minutes apart, as she recorded the first multi-goal game of her career. Kaili Torres(Fleming Island, Fla.) also scored for the Cavaliers, who posted their fifth shutout in seven games this season.
“Tonight we got off to a great start and scored some goals early,” said assistant coach Ron Raab. “That allowed us to establish a rhythm to the game. We were able to get a lot of players some quality minutes tonight and that will only help us as the season goes along. A lot of players have contributed to this win streak and we look to continue our momentum on Sunday.”
Virginia pressured the George Mason end early and broke through in the 18th minute. Makenzy Doniak’s(Chino Hills, Calif.) cross found Menchel at the back post, who was able to get a touch on the ball to knock it in to give the Cavaliers the lead. It would be Menchel’s second game-winning goal of the season.
Menchel struck again three minutes later to double the lead. She won a ball in the midfield, dribbled to about 20 yards out and fired a shot into the upper corner for her second goal of the night and third goal of the season.
“We have a lot of confidence in each other on the back line and that has allowed us to get into the attack a little more,” said Menchel. “I have a had a few opportunities recently to take a shot and have been able to put those chances in the back of the net.”
Torres closed out the scoring in the 30th minute with her second goal of the season. She took a ball from out wide, dribbled past several defenders into the box before firing a shot inside the far post.
The Cavaliers had plenty of chances in the second half to extend their lead, outshooting the Patriots 16-3 over the final 45 minutes, but back-up GMU goalkeeper Lyndse Hokanson made nine saves after intermission to keep the final margin at 3-0.
Virginia outshot George Mason 29-5 in the contest and had a 9-0 corner kick edge. Danielle DeLisle (Baltimore, Md.) and Churchill O’Connell(McLean, Va.) each made one save while playing one half in goal for the Cavaliers. GMU starter Briana Kottler made one save before Hokanson made nine saves in 58 shutout minutes off the bench.
The Cavaliers conclude their non-conference schedule on Sunday on the final day of the Virginia Nike Soccer Classic. Virginia meets James Madison at 2:30 p.m., in the second game of the day. George Mason plays Richmond in the first game at noon.
#7 Virginia 3, George Mason 0
George Mason (3-4) 0 0 – 0
#7 Virginia (6-1) 3 0 – 3
Scoring Summary
1. UVa. Molly Menchel 2 (Makenzy Doniak 3, Kate Norbo 3) 18′
2. UVa. Molly Menchel 3 (unassisted) 21′
3. UVa. Kaili Torres 2 (unassisted) 30′
Shots: UVa 29, GMU 5
Corners: UVa 9, GMU 0
Saves: UVa 2 (Danielle DeLisle 1, Churchill O’Connell 1), GMU 6 (Briana Kottler 1, Lyndse Hokanson 9)
Fouls: UVa 4, GMU 6
Attendance: 996