No. 11 Virginia women’s soccer continued their homestand Sunday in an in-state contest versus Liberty. The Cavaliers (2-0-0, 0-0-0 ACC) started strong and held off the Flames late (1-1-0. 0-0-0 CUSA), triumphing by a 2-0 margin.
The game showcased both great and lackluster moments for Virginia. The Cavaliers dominated the first half of proceedings, but came out of the break forgetting everything they had done right. The coolness on the ball and smart switches of play that characterized Virginia’s first half disappeared in the second, and Liberty was unlucky to not gain footing on the scoreline.
Sophomore midfielder Addison Halpern’s excellent play powered Virginia forward once again — a factor that the Cavaliers hope will become the norm. Her engine — driving forward with the ball in possession while simultaneously clogging every passing lane while defending — kept Virginia firmly in the fight.
The Cavaliers didn’t just navigate a tough second half because the Flames stepped up. The game was paused for more than an hour when inclement weather stopped play. Both teams retreated to their locker rooms, unsure of when the match would continue. Halpern emphasized that even with factors that could lead to instability, the team can remain focused.
“We bend, but we don't break,” Halpern said. “I thought that we showed a lot of resilience throughout this whole entire game and this performance.”
Sunday’s game represented Coach Steve Swanson’s 400th victory at the helm of the Cavaliers. To him, however, the milestone wasn’t personal.
“If I reflect on it,” Swanson said, “What I would reflect on is how many people helped me along the way.”
After Virginia controlled the proceedings early, fifth-year defender Tatum Galvin released senior forward Allie Ross with a slip pass. Ross found Halpern in the middle of the box, who passed it coolly by Liberty’s senior goalkeeper Peyton Huber to give the Cavaliers the lead in the 28th minute.
Virginia pushed hard for a second, but great chances by Galvin and senior forward Aniyah Collier were saved in spectacular fashion by Huber — a diving effort and a point-blank denial, respectively.
When teams returned to play in the second half, the Flames stepped on the gas, working hard and putting pressure onto the Cavaliers’ back line. Disaster almost struck when Liberty’s junior forward Margaret Garner caused a turnover by Virginia’s senior goalkeeper Victoria Safradin, but the latter was able to make a great save to deny the equalizer.
Just a few minutes later, the referee ushered both teams inside and sent fans to their cars — a welcome stoppage for the Cavaliers, who looked firmly second-rate at the time. Thunder roared over Klöckner Stadium as Swanson attempted to rally his team.
Yet, despite the near two-hour cushion to regroup, Virginia remained on the back foot when the game resumed. Garner found herself in a great position once again after being released by a smart through-ball, but Safradin was able to deny her one on one.
In the minutes that followed, the Flames’ physicality and effort was on display. Every creative idea that the Cavaliers had was snuffed out by tough Liberty defending, and Virginia’s back line struggled to cope with the constant pressure. Swanson emphasized that struggle after the game as a point of dismay.
“It was more us giving the ball away unnecessarily and making poor decisions in the back that kind of led to their chances,” Swanson said. “So that was a little bit disappointing.”
In the face of the shift in control, Halpern and Ross struck to secure the win. In the 72nd minute, Halpern delivered a beautiful cross from a right-sided set piece, which the Flames struggled to defend. After a first Cavalier shot struck the crossbar, Ross volleyed the rebound into the back of the net to make it 2-0.
Virginia’s tale of two halves was enough to put a second victory in the books, but with such a difficult schedule ahead, the Cavaliers aren’t missing things to work on at the training ground. To compete in such a tough conference, consistency is key.
Next up for Virginia is a home meeting with La Salle at 4 p.m. Thursday, which will be broadcast live on ACCNX.
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