The outlook was shaky for the No. 13 Virginia women's soccer team going into half time yesterday at home against Florida State, down, 2-1.
Fortunately, a career milestone for Cavalier freshman Taylor Wood saved the day. Wood scored her first collegiate goal with a little over a minute remaining in the game to break a 2-2 tie and avoid overtime.
Of the Cavaliers' second half resurgence, Wood said, "I knew if we kept fighting, we'd come back. We've done it in the past, so I knew it was coming."
The Cavaliers clearly came out energized in the second half and finally tied the game at 68:07 after a multitude of scoring opportunities. Sophomore midfielder Erin Engelhardt scored the goal unassisted to end a dry spell after Meredith Rhodes scored Virginia's first goal in the first half.
Then came Wood's game-winning goal, assisted by senior midfielder Laura Gaworecki.
"Basically, runs like Taylor made in the box makes my job a lot easier," Gaworecki said. "We got angry at ourselves at half time and we came back. Like Taylor said, I knew we'd come back. Once we were all over them - coming down their throats - I knew we'd come back. I didn't have a doubt."
After a disappointing 6-1 loss to top-ranked North Carolina Thursday, Virginia coach Steve Swanson was relieved to pull out a win over the Seminoles before the season finale against Wake Forest this Friday.
"I think it's a good confidence booster for us," Swanson said. "I think what we need to do now is get a little bit of rest going into the game with Wake Forest."
Virginia players "are really competing hard for [starting and playing] spots and I think it's elevated the play of the team overall," Swanson said. "I think there's a great commitment in what we're trying to accomplish and trying to take this program to the top."
Cavalier veteran and co-captain Lori Lindsey was active on the field, but was slowed by the flu. Swanson noted how Lindsey finally ran out of gas and how other players elevated their own level of play to make up for Lindsey's sickness.
"We got some great performances from a lot of people that I don't think get a lot of credit," Swanson said. "I thought Meredith Rhodes did a great job today and she's been playing very well for us. I thought our back line [also played well]. Kelly Worden doesn't get much credit. You know, Kelly really played well in the second half."
Worden had a powerful shot on goal that flew toward the left corner, but a defender who was guarding the left post managed to kick it away and covered for the Florida State goalkeeper who wouldn't have had a chance at stopping it.
The Cavaliers' ability to score twice in the latter part of the second half was refreshing, as they had come tantalizingly close to scoring numerous times, despite Florida State's strategy to fall back with 10 players on defense.
Regardless, Virginia kept shooting until it capitalized on the opportunities. Swanson said he was pleased to get the win and is confident about where the team is headed in closing out its season and playing in the ACC and NCAA tournaments.
"We've got good players who work hard, and care about one another," Swanson said. "That's been a significant part of our success this year. I think we still have some goals to accomplish in the NCAA tournament. If anything, we're going to put the foot down a little harder on the gas"
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