Cavaliers Down North Carolina 1-0 in ACC Quarterfinals
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Oct. 28, 2012
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – The No. 10 Virginia women’s soccer team advanced to the semifinals of the ACC Tournament with a 1-0 quarterfinal victory over No. 8 North Carolina on Sunday at Fetzer Field. Caroline Miller (Rockville, Md.) scored the game’s lone goal in the 11th minute and the Virginia defense posted its 11th shutout of the season.
The Cavaliers improve to 14-4-1 overall and take on regular season champion Florida State in the semifinals on Friday. The Tar Heels fall to 10-5-2 overall with the loss.
“Anytime you play Carolina you have to solve their pressure,” said head coach Steve Swanson. “I thought we did a good job of that. They squeeze the field and if you can get out of those pockets of pressure you can find some open space. The goal was certainly a result of that. We also were able to limit their chances. When you can hold Carolina to just four shots, that is a credit to how well we played defensively.”
The Cavaliers took the lead in the 11th minute of play, which proved to be the only goal of the afternoon. Morgan Brian (St. Simons Island, Ga.) threaded a ball to Miller, who dribbled around the keeper and placed the ball into the empty net for her 14th goal of the season. It was Miller’s fourth career goal against the Tar Heels.
“It was like deju vu, the exact same goal as last time we were here,” said Miller, who also scored the golden goal in Virginia’s 1-0 overtime win at Fetzer Field last season for the Cavaliers’ first ever win over North Carolina. “It was a great through ball from Morgan and I was able to get around the keeper and put it in.”
Miller’s goal was all the Cavaliers needed as they shutout the Tar Heels for the second straight time in Chapel Hill. Virginia outshot North Carolina 11-4 and held the Tar Heels without a shot on goal. Danielle DeLisle (Baltimore, Md.) posted her sixth shutout of the season.
“Hopefully we can keep the momentum going as we have been playing some very good soccer over the past few games,” said Swanson. “This was a well-deserved result. We have to get rested and get ready for a big challenge on Friday against Florida State. This game, along with the previous two, has given us a lot of confidence as we move forward. This team has continued to get better as the season has progressed and we are excited to continue play in this tournament next week”
The Virginia-Florida State game will be Friday’s first semifinal at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, N.C. Game time is 5 p.m., and the contest will be broadcast by ESPN3. Maryland will play Wake Forest in the second semifinal at 7:30 p.m. The winners will meet in Sunday’s final at 1 p.m., which will air on ESPNU.
#10 Virginia 1, #8 North Carolina 0
#10 Virginia (14-4-1) 1 0 – 1
#8 North Carolina (10-5-2) 0 0 – 0
Scoring Summary
1. UVa. Caroline Miller 14 (Morgan Brian 4) 11′
Shots: UVa 11, UNC 4
Corners: UVa 2, UNC 4
Saves: UVa 0 (Danielle DeLisle 0), UNC 3 (Adelaide Gay 3)
Fouls: UVa 6, UNC 7
Attendance: 510