No. 7 Virginia Takes 3-0 Victory At JMU

HARRISONBURG, Va. – The seventh-ranked Virginia women’s soccer team (5-0-0) picked up its second road win of the season on Sunday (Sept. 1), downing JMU (1-2-2) by a score of 3-0 at Sentara Park.

GOALS
10’ – UVA: Maggie Cagle (Allie Ross)
41’ – UVA: Ella Carter (Alexis Theoret)
83’ – UVA: Kiki Maki (Laney Rouse, Alexis Theoret)

HOW IT HAPPENED
After some early chances, the Cavaliers broke through in the 21st minute with a goal from Maggie Cagle. A clearance went straight to a Virginia player in the attacking third and the Hoos jumped on the opportunity. The ball was immediately played to Allie Ross in the penalty arc. Ross lay the all off to her left where Cagle was making her run and the junior forward slotted it in past the near post from 10 yards out.

Virginia doubled the lead in the 41st minute with a fortuitous goal from Ella Carter off a corner kick. Alexis Theoret drove the ball low into the sixth and it was punched out by the keeper. The ball didn’t go far, however, as it struck Cater in the chest as she made her run on goal and rocketed back in net for the 2-0 lead.

The Cavaliers net a third goal in the 83rd minute off another corner kick from the right side of the field. Theoret delivered the ball to the back post where Laney Rouse was set up just outside the six. Rouse headed the ball down and Maki used her knee to redirect the ball off the bounce, sending it up and over the diving keeper for the score.

NOTES ON THE GAME

• With the win, Virginia leads the series with JMU 24-1-2 and has won 12 straight in the series.
• Maggie Cagle’s goal was her fourth of the season, the 16th goal of her career and her seventh game winner.
• Ella Carter and Kiki Maki each hit their first collegiate goal in the win over the Dukes.
• Virginia has now had nine different players find the net this season.
• Victoria Safradin posted her third solo shutout of the season as she moved to 5-0-0 in goal.

FROM HEAD COACH STEVE SWANSON
“We raised our level in the attacking phase and we were better in buildup. JMU does a good job staying organized and trying to keep the play on one side. We did a good job of switching the point and getting open on the opposite side. We caused some problems with that. Overall it was a good performance from start to finish and it was nice to see players like Kiki and Ella get some goals. We got good contributions from our bench and our depth is coming through now. We have another road game coming up with VCU, which is always a tough game, so we have to be ready for that one.”

UP NEXT FOR THE HOOS
Virginia continues play on the road on Thursday (Sept. 5) when the Cavaliers travel to Richmond to take on VCU. Kick is set for 7 p.m. at Sports Backers Stadium.