Courtesy of UVA Media Relations

Photo: UVA Athletics

The Virginia women’s soccer team recorded its second consecutive clean sheet to begin the season with a 2-0 victory over Northwestern on Sunday at Klöckner Stadium.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Cavaliers (2-0-0) struck in the ninth minute when Meredith McDermott got a one-on-one opportunity as she approached the six-yard box from the left side. Tatum Galvin played a through ball from the defensive third to the middle, where McDermott and her defender ran step by step down the spine of the court.

The defender’s sliding tackle went just wide and she shot the ball forward where McDermott picked it up for a one-on-one situation. The young striker shot the ball across the goal where it hit the far post and bounced into the net.

The 2-0 lead came in the 44th minute when Degen Miller broke through on the right side, moved along the baseline toward the box and fired her shot. The Northwestern goalkeeper deflected the ball to a defender behind her and the shot bounced off the Wildcat’s shin and into the net.

The Cavaliers held firm in the second half, with goalkeeper Victoria Safradin saving two shots as the defense stifled the Wildcats’ attack for the final 45 minutes.

McDermott narrowly missed a brace when he had a chance to score in the 90th minute, hitting the left post.

GOALS
UVA: 9′ – Meredith McDermott (without assist)
UVA: 44′ – Own goal

ADDITIONAL NOTES

• McDermott’s ninth-minute goal was her first of 2024 and the 10th of her career.
• Safradin recorded her second consecutive shutout and the third of her career.
• With the win, Virginia improves its record against Northwestern (1-1-0) to 2-0, with both wins being clean sheets.
• The last time the Hoos and Wildcats faced each other was in 1995, when UVA won 5-0.

BY HEAD COACH STEVE SWANSON

“We knew this would be a good opponent and it was. They are very well organised, have a solid game on both sides of the ball and we had to do certain things to win the game. We were well organised defensively; our defence from front to back was very good and made the difference for us.

“We moved the ball well at times and scored a few goals in transition, but we need to get a little better under pressure. It was a great week for us against a strong team that I think will still be there at the end of the season. Now we have to get ready for Penn State on Thursday.”

Next

Virginia heads to the road for a midweek game at No. 4 Penn State. The Hoos and Nittany Lions will kick off at 5:30 p.m. in a game that will stream on B1G+.

Head coach Steve Swanson on the Hoos’ win over Northwestern.#GoTakeANap | #ALLIN pic.twitter.com/7LK4rIAvjB

— Virginia Women’s Soccer Team (@UVADenSoccer) 18 August 2024