In a record-setting day for junior midfielder Kate Galica, No. 20 Virginia (4-4, 3-1, ACC) came away with a decisive 15-7 win against Florida State in Tallahassee, Fla. Galica broke Aubrey William’s career draw control record of 332, with her 11 draw controls putting her at 339 for her career total midway through the season and further cementing her spot as No. 3 in the ACC for draws per game with 7.43.
Amid a schedule surrounded by typical ACC contenders, the road matchup was unique, as it pitted a team with virtually no history against one celebrating its 50th year. For Florida State’s club-turned-varsity squad, a chip on their shoulder was inevitable. After brutal losses against North Carolina and Louisville, and facing the Cavaliers who have had their own string of defeats to open the 2026 season, both teams were unrelenting as each fought to break away.
The Cavaliers struck first with a goal from sophomore midfielder Gabby LaVerghetta in the first 45 seconds, setting the tone for a settled, measured offense that took its time as the Seminoles struggled to keep up. But after missed shots and possessions, speed and grit from Florida State emerged as they capitalized on the Cavaliers’ slip in control, with Maryland transfer Lydia Ward and redshirt freshman Summer Harrell outpacing defenders and clashing in the 12-meter.
“I thought FSU played us tough throughout, and cleaning up some stick-work errors will be important moving forward,” Head Coach Sonia LaMonica said. “I’m proud of our group for showing consistency across all quarters, both in defensive stops and offensive output.”
Although a 3-2 ending to the first quarter saw the Cavaliers looking slightly deflated, a goal revoked from the Seminoles on a defensive foul cleared the way for Virginia to regain control. After an interception from Florida State leading to a botched free position shot, Virginia’s offense rerouted and suddenly faced its own turn from the 8-meter, with Galica staring down the cage as the clock on the second quarter dwindled. Her final goal of the game, notched in the net to complete a hat trick, preceded the draw control record she would break minutes later and swung the pendulum back to the Cavaliers — who ultimately came away with a 16-8 advantage in the draw control.
“Our draw team has continued to set us up with possession control, which put us in the driver's seat today,” LaMonica said. “[Kate Galica] has been such a catalyst, and it’s impressive to see her break the U.Va. draw control career record in just her third year.”
Another free position goal from sophomore attacker Fiona Allen — one of three Virginia players to score a hat trick following Galica and LaVerghetta — lengthened the second quarter deficit to four goals. The hat tricks were also career firsts for Allen and LaVerghetta.
The Seminoles, however, refused to be denied even as the deficit stretched on, dodging the Virginia defense and cutting into the 12-meter with energy even as they struggled to capitalize on multiple free position shots. Florida State defenders Superia Clark and Erin Schaefer endured relentless shooting from Galica and junior attacker Jenna DiNardo as the Seminoles committed defensive fouls, allowing the Cavaliers to score four goals in man-up situations.
By the final quarter the Cavalier’s settled offense had started to adopt an isolation strategy, clearing the path for sophomore attacker Jayden Piraino, freshman midfielder Cady Flaherty and sophomore midfielder Payton Sfreddo to score their sole goals of the matchup as Virginia closed out the victory with confidence.
The Cavaliers face No. 18 Princeton in their fourth home game of the season Wednesday, hoping to break a three-game losing streak in Charlottesville and secure another win against a ranked team after two against Notre Dame and Pitt. First draw is set for 5 p.m. and the contest will be broadcast on ACCNX.
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