WILLIAMSBURG, VA -- Shannon Foley had a good weekend.
After a goal and two assists in Virginia's 4-0 victory over George Mason on Friday, the sophomore scored the game's only goal Sunday afternoon as the Cavaliers (8-0) topped William & Mary (3-3-2), 1-0.
After senior Katie Bunch made a nice run down the right side forcing a Cavalier corner kick, the left-footed Foley strode across from her left wing position to take the kick. As Foley eyed the cross, junior Sarah Huffman darted out of the box toward the corner. Foley played the ball to Huffman, who relayed the pass back to Foley at the corner of the box. Streaking in from the sideline, Foley floated a one-time shot over Tribe goalie Kellie Fenton for her fourth goal of the season.
"We have a certain signal for a short corner," Foley said. "The goal is to turn it into a two-on-one. Then Sarah [Huffman] can either spin her player or lay it off to me. She laid it off, and I shot."
The first half was characterized by sloppy play on both sides, and the game remained scoreless at the break with Virginia holding a slight 4-1 edge in shots. The low shot total is representative of the uninspiring play for Virginia on both sides of the ball.
William & Mary appeared determined to stop Virginia's powerful offense by dropping nine players behind the ball. The strategy worked well to begin the game as the Tribe's defenders were able to disrupt any vertical passes marked for Virginia forwards.
"Their defense was really difficult to break down," Virginia coach Steve Swanson said. "Their plan was to sit back and wait for counter opportunities. We just had to be patient and not get frustrated."
William & Mary's only legitimate scoring chance came with under a minute to play in regulation. With the ball at the top right corner of the box, Tribe sophomore Katie Hogwood dribbled toward two Virginia defenders and played a beautiful through ball to junior Lydia Sturgis at the back post who pushed the ball past Cavalier goalie Christina de Vries. Unfortunately for the Tribe, Sturgis was caught offsides by the Virginia offsides trap and the goal was disallowed.
"William & Mary is as strong of a rivalry as Virginia has," Swanson said. "There is a lot of emotion out there between these two teams."
Having played the Tribe more than any other non-conference opponent, the Cavaliers can be proud of their second tournament victory in as many weeks. But looming ahead are far more important games within the ACC. Beginning next week at Florida State, Virginia plays eight of its next 10 games against conference foes.
"FSU is always a challenge," senior defender Katie Bunch said. "They are a top-10 team, and we know it is going to be a tough game."
Now at eight games, Virginia's win streak is the longest to begin a season in over a decade. However, the challenges should only stiffen in the following weeks. But with weapons such as Foley and her lightening left foot, the Cavaliers should most certainly provide problems for even the most staunch of defenses.
Read More
'The Måns Dahlberg show' is kicking into gear, just in time for Virginia’s title chase
By Thomas Baxter | YesterdayHe's one man during the first few months of the season, quite another in the final two.
TILOCK: The real Virginia baseball just stood up
By Xander Tilock | 2 days agoThe Cavaliers' chronic issues are dwindling, and underperforming stars are ascending.
Dietrich’s comeback clincher sends No. 7 seed men’s tennis to NCAA quarterfinals
By Margaret Piatos | 3 days agoFor the 18th time in 20 years, Virginia is headed to the quarterfinals.
