No. 7 UVA Women Shutout UNCW 2-0

Women’s Soccer Tops UNCW 2-0 For Third Straight Win

Cavaliers conclude homestand with a 3-1 record

CHARLOTTESVILLE – The No. 8 Virginia women’s soccer team concluded its season-opening homestand with a 2-0 victory over UNC Wilmington on Sunday in front of a season-high 1,129 fans at Klöckner Stadium. Makenzy Doniak (Chino Hills, Calif.) and Danielle Colaprico (Freehold, N.J.) scored second half goals to lead the Cavaliers (3-1) past the Seahawks (0-2-1).

“It was a good team victory as we had a good effort all around,” said assistant coach Ron Raab. “We played some great soccer in the first half, but were not rewarded with a goal. We continued to pressure them in the second half and got a couple of good finishes by players who have been playing well for us all year long.”

The Cavaliers dominated the first half, outshooting the Seahawks 12-1, but couldn’t get one past UNCW goalkeeper Caitlin Hunter, who had eight first-half saves. One of Virginia’s best chances came in the 15th minute. Gloria Douglas (Fayetteville, N.C.) beat Hunter to a loose ball at the top of the box and tried to dribble around the keeper. The ball deflected wide to Kaili Torres (Fleming Island, Fla.), who placed a shot towards the vacated net that was saved off the line by a sliding defender.   

Virginia finally broke through in the 56th minute to take the lead. Molly Menchel (Arlington, Va.) sent a cross into the box that Doniak controlled before pounding into the net for her fifth goal of the season. Colaprico doubled the lead in the 67th minute as she intercepted a clearance and fired a shot from the top of the box into the upper corner for her second goal of the season.

Doniak’s goal made her the first player in school history to score in each of the first four games of a season. Her goal was also the first career game-winning goal for the freshman.

“It has been really exciting,” said Doniak. “I wanted to come in and make an impact. I have been fortunate to do so, whether that has been scoring or just providing some energy on the field. I have been fortunate that my teammates have set up a lot of chances for me that I have been able to finish.”  

Virginia outshot UNCW 27-3 in the contest and had a 7-2 corner kick edge. Churchill O’Connell (McLean, Va) made one save in net for the Cavaliers as she and Danielle DeLisle (Baltimore, Md.) combined for Virginia’s third consecutive shutout. Hunter finished with 13 saves in goal for the Seahawks.

The Cavaliers make their first road trip of the regular season next week as they head to Texas for the Longhorn Invitational. Virginia meets host Texas on Friday night at 8:30 p.m. ET (7:30 p.m. CT) in a contest that will be broadcast on the Longhorn Network.

#8 Virginia 2, UNC Wilmington 0

UNC Wilmington (0-2-1)                        0            0     -            0
#8 Virginia (3-1)                                      0            2     -            2

Scoring Summary

1. UVa. Makenzy Doniak 5 (Molly Menchel 1) 56’
2. UVa. Danielle Colaprico 2 (unassisted) 67’

Shots: UVa 27, UNCW 3

Corners: UVa 7, UNCW 2

Saves: UVa 1 (Danielle DeLisle 0, Churchill O’Connell 1), UNCW 14 (Caitlin Hunter 13, Team 1)

Fouls: UVa 9, UNCW 6