No. 2 Virginia Pulls Away From Louisville With Late Goals
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – A pair of free kicks gave the Cavaliers the openings they needed on Sunday (Sept. 25) as No. 2 Virginia (9-1-1, 2-1-0 ACC) scored twice in the final 16 minutes of play to take a 2-0 victory over Louisville (4-3-2, 1-2-0 ACC) at Klöckner Stadium.
GOALS
74’ – UVA: Alexis Theoret (free kick)
83’ – UVA: Haley Hopkins (Talia Staude)
HOW IT HAPPENED
After both teams manufactured few threatening chances through the first two thirds of the game, Virginia broke things open off a free kick in the 74th minute. A foul about 25 yards out set up the chance for the Cavaliers and Alexis Theoret lined up for the kick on the right side of the box. She sent it over the wall and into the upper corner past the far post to put Virginia on the board.
It would be the first of two free kicks leading to a score for the Cavaliers.
The second goal came almost 10 minutes later. A foul set up another free kick for the Hoos – this one near the midfield circle. Talia Staude took the kick, driving it toward the box where it was flicked in by Haley Hopkins with a header to double the lead for the Cavaliers.
NOTES ON THE GAME
• With the win, UVA improved to 11-0-0 all-time against Louisville and 7-0-0 in games played at Klöckner Stadium.
• With the win over Louisville, Virginia is now 62-8-13 in games following a loss under head coach Steve Swanson.
• Alexis Theoret scored her first goal of the season with her strike. It’s her second career goal against Louisville.
• Haley Hopkins hit her 50th career goal with her strike and now has eight goals this season.
• Cayla White improved to 13-1-1 on the season and posted her seventh solo shutout of her career.
FROM HEAD COACH STEVE SWANSON
“We were happy to come away with the result today. It was not our best performance but you have to credit Louisville for putting good pressure on us on the defensive side. We talked about how important set plays were going to be and they proved to be the difference coming from a great strike by Alexis (Theoret) and another good header from Haley (Hopkins).”
UP NEXT FOR THE HOOS
Virginia will go back on the road in ACC play when the Cavaliers take on No. 5 Duke in a 7 p.m. contest on Friday (Sept. 30). The game will be streamed on ACCNX from Koskinen Stadium.