CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – No. 16 Virginia (1-0) had 12 different players score goals in its 21-6 win over ECU (1-1) in the 2021 season opener at Lower Turf Field.

The Cavaliers opened the game with four consecutive goals, then had a 16-0 run over the next 40 minutes of playing time. Redshirt junior Ashlyn McGovern (Phoenix, Md.) led the team with four goals and junior Lillie Kloak (Ridgewood, N.J.) added three goals. Freshman Mackenzie Hoeg (Mattituck, N.Y.) had two goals, two assists and a team-high eight draw controls.

Senior Jalen Knight (Peachtree City, Ga.) had three caused turnovers and two ground balls. Goalkeeper Charlie Campbell (Lloyd Harbor, N.Y.) had three ground balls. Virginia led in draw controls (19-10) and was 5-for-7 on free position shots. Megan Pallozzi led ECU with three goals and one assist.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Virginia scored first with junior Annie Dyson (Alexandria, Va.) running through the defense for the goal. Kloak and Hoeg then scored on free position shots, then Hoeg connected with McGovern for the 4-0 run to start the game. ECU scored at the 24:58 mark in the first half.

McGovern completed a hat trick in the first 10 minutes of the game, scoring two of the first three goals in UVA’s 16-0 run. Adding to the run were freshman Aubrey Williams (Purcellville, Va.), sophomore Jaime Biskup (Manorville, N.Y.), sophomore Kiki Shaw (Owings Mills, Md.), senior Chloe Jones (Slingerlands, N.Y.), senior Katie Railey (Towson, Md.), freshman Morgan Schwab (Fairport, N.Y.) and junior Braeden Dial (New Canaan, Conn.). Freshman Maggie Bostain (Richmond, Va.) scored UVA’s final goal of the game with five minutes to play.

NOTES

  • Seven freshmen made their collegiate debuts: Mackenzie Hoeg, Morgan Schwab, Devon Whitaker, Aubrey Williams, Maggie Bostain, Jordan Vaught and Ashley West
  • First collegiate goals: Mackenzie Hoeg (2), Morgan Schwab (1), Jaime Biskup (2), Aubrey Williams (1)
  • Multiple goal scorers: McGovern (4); Kloak (3); Dyson (2); M. Hoeg (2); Biskup (2) and Jones (2)
  • UVA had 15 players contribute with goals and assists.
  • It was the first time Virginia has scored 20 goals since its 20-9 win over George Mason in 2019.

FROM JULIE MYERS

“Great to get a chance to finally put on a Virginia uniform and play another opponent. I think our team did a great job. We started strong and just kept going. Everyone was able to contribute to a team win against a solid opponent in ECU. It is a great starting point after almost a year off and we are looking forward to just playing again and getting back out to practice tomorrow.”

UP NEXT

Virginia travels to No. 14 Richmond on Friday, Feb. 19 for a 4 p.m. opening draw at Robins Stadium. The game will be streamed on ESPN+.