No. 5 Virginia women’s soccer was once again back in business Sunday night, playing host to VCU at Klöckner Stadium. Following a statement win Thursday against No. 2 Duke, the Cavaliers (7-0-1, 1-0-0 ACC) kept up their run of good form in an in-state matchup against the Rams (2-4-2, 0-0-0 A10), prevailing 3-0.
The difference in shots between the two teams leaped up off the stat sheet, with Virginia’s 26 dwarfing VCU’s singular shot. That level of contrast paints a picture of the gap between the teams’ attacking forces. According to Virginia freshman midfielder Addison Halpern, it was crucial to the victory that the Cavaliers stopped the ball from sticking in any one area of the pitch for too long.
“I think we were just moving the ball well,” Halpern said. “Not being greedy at all, kind of sharing the ball, switching the point, and I think that led to a lot of success.”
Despite the lopsided shot figures, Virginia did not put the Rams away as quickly as it should have, allowing VCU to keep a foothold in the contest for over 40 minutes, something Virginia Coach Steve Swanson recognized as room for improvement.
“We can't let teams hang around,” Swanson said. “We've just got to be able to finish our chances and not let them into the game.”
The Cavaliers broke the deadlock just before halftime, when a muffed clearance off a Virginia corner kick provided enough opportunity for junior midfielder Jill Flammia to send a well-placed inside-of-the-foot volley into the back of the net. The Ram defenders could do nothing but watch as Flammia’s shot flew over their heads and past junior goalkeeper Mia Pongratz.
The goal ejected the weight of the deadlock off the Cavaliers’ shoulders, and their play shifted. The Virginia squad that walked into the locker room was anything but the one that walked out to start the second half. Passes were crisper, players moved with a better purpose and the energy was high.
The Cavaliers’ resurgence became apparent early in the period. Fifth-year defender Laney Rouse darted down the right flank, speeding by her mark and centering the ball into a dangerous spot outside the six-yard box — a spot that Halpern was ready to capitalize on. The ball ricocheted off the goalkeeper and into the roof of the net, extending Virginia’s lead.
Halpern’s strike signified the first score of her Cavalier career, and it seemed to be a long time coming. Her contributions on the attacking end have been a large part of Virginia’s success this season and likely will be for seasons to come.
“[I have] a lot of gratitude for this team,” Halpern said. “For this opportunity to play here, around these people and these coaches.”
Despite the two-goal lead, Virginia was not done. Halpern was once again the beneficiary of an attacking sequence but was unable to finish off senior forward Maggie Cagle’s pinpoint pass because of some fine goalkeeping by Pongratz.
Yet with the Cavaliers still pushing for more, the Rams’ defense eventually relented when Cagle’s superior hustle on the right byline allowed her to dribble past three VCU defenders and coolly slot her shot into the lefthand corner.
When the whistle sounded for full-time, the vibe around Klöckner Stadium was familiar — a feeling of confidence, of belonging in the highest echelon of college soccer.
“I think they're hungry,” Swanson said. “I think we've definitely improved, and so I think it's helped with our confidence.”
It is fortuitous timing that Virginia is running on all cylinders now, as the looming ACC schedule comes into the spotlight. To not just make the ACC or NCAA tournament this year, but to truly contend in both, the Cavaliers will need to keep up this momentum.
Virginia will return to action Saturday at 7 p.m., traveling north to face off against Syracuse in their second match of conference play.
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