Hoos Shut Out Northwestern In Sunday Tilt

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The Virginia women’s soccer team (2-0-0) posted its second straight shutout to start the season with a 2-0 victory over Northwestern (1-1-0) on Sunday (Aug. 18) at Klöckner Stadium.

GOALS
UVA: 9’ – Meredith McDermott (unassisted)
UVA: 44’ – Own Goal

HOW IT HAPPENED
The Cavaliers struck in the ninth minute as Meredith McDermott got a one-on-one chance approaching the six yard box from the left side. Tatum Galvin played a through ball up the middle from the defensive third where McDermott and her defender were stride for stride down the spine of the field. The defender’s slide tackle was just off the mark and she poked the ball ahead down the field where McDermott picked it up for the one-on-one opportunity. The junior forward buried the shot across the face of goal where it hit the back post and caromed in net for the score.

The 2-0 lead came in the 44th minute when Degen Miller came down the right side, cut in toward the box along the end line and took her shot. It was deflected by the Northwestern keeper into a defender behind her and bounced into goal off the Wildcat’s shin.

The Cavaliers held strong in the second half with keeper Victoria Safradin making a pair of saves as the defense turned away the Wildcats’ attack over the last 45 minutes.

McDermott just missed on a brace as got a chance in the 90th minute that hit the left post.

NOTES ON THE GAME

• Meredith McDermott’s goal in the ninth minute was her first of 2024 and 10th of her career.
• Victoria Safradin posted her second straight shutout and third of her career.
• With the win, Virginia improves to 2-0 against Northwestern with both victories being shutouts.
• The last time the Hoos and Wildcats faced off was in 1995 with UVA taking the 5-0 victory.

FROM HEAD COACH STEVE SWANSON
“We knew this would be a good opponent and they were. They are very organized, have a set way to play on both sides of the ball, and we needed to do certain things to win the game. We were organized defensively; our defending from front to back was very good and was the difference for us. We did a good job moving the ball at times and got a couple of transition goals, but we have to be a little better under pressure. It was a great week for us against a quality team that I think will be there at the end of the season. We now have to get ready for Penn State on Thursday.”

UP NEXT FOR THE HOOS
Virginia heads out on the road for a midweek contest at No. 4 Penn State (). The Hoos and Nittany Lions kick off at 5:30 p.m. in a game streamed on B1G+.