Two UVA Women's Players Earn Preseason Honors

The college soccer season is fast approaching and that means it's time for preseason awards.

Two members of the Virginia women’s soccer team were honored Wednesday (July 31) as TopDrawerSoccer.com announced its Preseason Best XI teams. Junior midfielder Morgan Brian (St. Simons Island, Ga.) was named to the first team and senior defender Annie Steinlage (Grand Haven, Mich.) was named to the third team. 

UVA Midfielder Morgan Brian makes USWNT debut

Morgan Brian Makes US Women’s National Team Debut

Cavalier midfielder earns first cap in 4-1 victory over South Korea

Morgan Brian

FOXBORO, Mass. – Virginia rising junior midfielder Morgan Brian (St. Simons Island, Ga.) made her debut for the United States Women’s National Team in a 4-1 victory over South Korea Saturday night at Gillette Stadium. She became the seventh Virginia player to earn a cap with the full national team when she entered the game as a substitute in the 77th minute.

Brian is only the second Cavalier to make an appearance for the national team while still an active player for Virginia. In 1991, Amanda Cromwell earned her first cap before the start of her senior season.

Former Virginia defender Becky Sauerbrunn (Class of 2007) also played in Saturday’s game, playing the full 90 minutes as she made her 43rd appearance for the United States.

The United States Women’s National Team will return to action on Thursday, June 20, with another friendly against South Korea. That match will be played at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, N.J. and will kickoff at 7:30 p.m. ET on NBC Sports Network.

Video: UVA Sophomore Kaili Torres Talks Miami, Florida State

Cavalier sophomore forward, and Florida native, Kaili Torres discusses the team's trip to Miami and Florida State.

UVA Men Fall to Wake Forest, 4-1

Virginia Men’s Soccer Falls to Wake Forest, 4-1

Bates scores 42nd career goal in losing effort

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The Virginia men’s soccer team lost 4-1 to Wake Forest Friday night in ACC play at Klöckner Stadium. Will Bates (Sr., Chester, Va.) scored the Cavaliers’ goal in the 79th minute.

“Actually we played well, to be honest with you,” Virginia head coach George Gelnovatch said. “I thought the game in long stretches was a very good soccer game. Both teams were moving the ball very well and both teams were going after each other. Wake Forest is a good team and they capitalized on a couple of our mistakes. They capitalized on two of our mistakes and all of a sudden we find ourselves down 3-0, in a game that I thought was pretty even.”

Wake Forest (8-2-4, 2-1-3 ACC) took advantage of a Virginia miscue to grab an early lead just over five minutes into the match. After a UVa turnover deep in its own territory, Wake capitalized when Jared Watts flipped a pass ahead to Sean Okoli, who found himself alone in the box and fired a shot past UVa goalkeeper Spencer LaCivita (So., Raleigh, N.C.).

The Cavaliers held the advantage in shots in the first half (8-5) and put plenty of pressure on the Demon Deacons, but the game turned during a two-minute span in the second half as Wake Forest scored two goals just 1:39 apart to break the game open.

In the 64th minute Luciano Delbono fired a low shot from 25 yards and scored just inside the far post. Michael Gamble then took a great through-ball from Ross Tomaselli and tapped it past LaCivita in the 66th minute.

The Cavaliers got on the board in the 79th minute when Brian James (Fr., Sunrise, Fla.) slipped a pass through the Demon Deacons’ defense and found Bates, who ripped the shot past goalkeeper Michael Lisch for his team-leading eighth score of the year. It marked Bates’ 42nd career goal, and he moved into seventh place on UVa’s all-time goals list.

Virginia pressed forward over the next 10 minutes but could not score. Wake then countered off the pressure and got a Tomaselli breakaway goal with just over a minute remaining to cap the Demon Deacons’ big night.

Both goalkeepers made three saves. UVa held a 16-11 edge in shots and took seven corner kicks, compared to four for Wake Forest. The Demon Deacons committed 13 fouls, while UVa was called for six.

Virginia wraps up its regular-season home schedule next week, battling Wright State at 7 p.m. Tuesday (Oct. 16) before taking on Virginia Tech at 6:30 p.m. Friday (Oct. 19) on Senior Night.

UVA Men Host No. 18 Wake Forest Friday

Virginia Men's Soccer Plays Host to No. 18 Wake Forest Friday Night

Cavaliers battle third straight ranked opponent

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Coming off a thrilling win Tuesday night, the Virginia men’s soccer team returns to ACC play at 7 p.m. Friday when it entertains No. 18 Wake Forest at Klöckner Stadium. The Demon Deacons are the third ranked side the Cavaliers will face in an eight-day span.

Live Coverage 

A live video webcast will be available on VirginiaSports.com through Cavaliers Live (subscription required). Live statistics will be available on VirginiaSports.com.

Records and Rankings

Virginia: 6-5-1 (1-3-0 ACC)

Wake Forest: 7-2-4 (1-1-3 ACC); No. 18 (NSCAA), No. 21 (Soccer America)

Virginia-Wake Forest Series

Virginia owns a 35-8-6 all-time record against Wake Forest. The teams met twice last season and played a pair of high-scoring barnburners.

In the regular season in Winston-Salem, the Demon Deacons scored a 4-3 win to offset a hat trick from UVa’s Will Bates; UVa got revenge with a 4-3 double-OT win in the ACC tournament quarterfinals in Charlottesville.

The teams’ last eight matches all have been determined by one goal or fewer.

Cavaliers Top No. 23 High Point, 2-1

Will Bates scored twice, including the game-winning penalty kick in the 89th minute, to lift Virginia to a 2-1 win over No. 23 High Point Tuesday night and hand the Panthers (10-1-1) their first loss of the season. 

High Point took the early lead in the 10th minute of play, but UVa drew even in the 29th minute on Bates’ first tally of the night. With just 73 seconds remaining to play, a ball into the box bounced and hit the arm of an HPU player, and UVa earned a penalty kick. Bates stepped to the spot and blasted in his seventh goal of the season.

Virginia Bullet Points

• With his two goals Tuesday, Will Bates now is tied with Brian Vernon (1981-84) for eighth in career goals in UVa history with 41.

• UVa is 24-1-1 since 2009 when Bates scores a goal (only loss was last year at Wake Forest, 4-3, when Bates scored a hat trick).

• UVa broke a two-game scoreless drought Tuesday against High Point and scored more than one goal in a game for the first time since Sept. 18.

• Nine of UVa’s 12 matches have been decided by one goal or a tie.

• UVa is 2-3-1 this year vs. ranked teams and 4-4-1 against teams that have been ranked at some point this season. 

• Only five UVa players have started in all 11 matches, while seven have seen playing time in every game.

• Underclassmen have accounted for 80.4 percent of the Cavaliers’ minutes this year.

Scouting Wake Forest

Wake Forest is ranked as high as No. 18 nationally this week. The Demon Deacons settled for a 2-2 draw Tuesday at ETSU after giving up the equalizer with three seconds left in the second half.

Luca Gimenez leads the team with five goals, while Michael Gamble boasts four goals and a team-best four assists.

Up Next

Virginia continues its four-match homestand next week, battling Wright State at 7 p.m. Tuesday (Oct. 16) before taking on Virginia Tech at 6:30 p.m. Friday (Oct. 19) on Senior Night.

UVA Women Shutout Miami, 3-0

Virginia Opens Road Trip By Blanking Miami 3-0

Caroline Miller has her third multi-goal game of the season

CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The No. 9 Virginia women’s soccer team opened its three-game road trip with a 3-0 victory over Miami on Thursday night at Cobb Stadium. Caroline Miller (Rockville, Md.) scored twice and Kate Norbo (Roanoke, Va.) added a goal as the Cavaliers improved to 11-3-1 overall and 4-2-1 in the ACC. The Hurricanes fell to 7-6-2 overall and 2-4 in the conference.

“It was extremely important to start this road trip with a good result,” said head coach Steve Swanson. “To come down here, which is a very difficult place to play, and get three points was huge. I thought we did a good job of scoring early and managing the game. We didn’t get that many chances, but they were quality chances that we were able to finish them tonight. That is something we can build on and hopefully carry into our next game.”

Virginia dominated possession in the early part of the game and it paid off with the night’s first goal in the 20th minute. Miller received a ball near the top of the box, made several moves to create space before hiring a shot into the far upper corner for her eighth goal of the season. The Cavaliers doubled their advantage in the 39th minute. Danielle Colaprico (Freehold, N.J.) threaded a through-ball that Norbo got to and slotted home her fourth goal of the season. Virginia held that 2-0 advantage at the break.

The Cavaliers struck again early in the second half on Miller’s second goal of the night. Makenzy Doniak (Chino Hills, Calif.) worked her way down the left side, dribbling through several defenders, before serving a cross that Miller one-timed into the net for her ninth goal of the season.

It was Miller’s ninth career multi-goal game and her third this season. Six of those nine multi-goal performances have come against ACC competition. She also moved into a seventh place tie on Virginia’s career goal list with 34, matching Gayle Smith (1986-89).

Virginia outshot Miami 13-9 and had a 4-3 corner-kick advantage. Danielle DeLisle (Baltimore, Md.) made three saves in goal for Virginia to post her fourth shutout of the year. Emily Lillard made six saves at the other end for the Hurricanes.

The Cavaliers continue their three-game road trip on Sunday as they visit top-ranked Florida State. Game time at the Seminole Soccer Complex is 1 p.m., and the game will be broadcast online by ESPN3.  

Video: UVA's Caroline Miller Postgame Interview

University of Virginia Senior Caroline Miller talks after he two-goal performance in the 3-0 win at Miami.

UVA Beats VCU in Double OT, Video: Cameron Chavira Postgame

RICHMOND, Va. – Cameron Chavira (Jr., Roanoke, Va.) scored his first career goal just over two minutes into double overtime to push the Virginia men’s soccer team to a 1-0 triumph at VCU Tuesday evening in front of a record 2,242 spectators at Sports Backers Stadium in Richmond, Va. Chavira’s golden goal helped Virginia (5-3-1) hand VCU (4-1-2) its first loss of the year.
 

 

“I think we’re making progress,” Virginia head coach George Gelnovatch said. “We tied in our last overtime game and this one we one against a very good VCU team which was rested. It was on the road with their biggest crowd in stadium history. It was a very good performance in terms of gutting it out. We’re tired and banged up, and we found a way to get one chance in overtime, and we finished it.”

While neither team registered a strong scoring chance in an uneventful first overtime stanza, Virginia made its first opportunity in double overtime count when Marcus Douglas (R-So., Washington, D.C.) sliced a cross from the right flank to the middle of the box to find a wide open Chavira, who tapped it home from five yards out for the winning score. Douglas was credited with his first assist of 2012 as the Cavaliers earned their first overtime win of the year in four attempts (1-2-1).

VCU controlled the run of play for most of the first half, although UVa got two booming shots from Will Bates (Sr., Chester, Va.), but VCU goalkeeper Andrew Wells made great diving saves on each.

The Rams put five shots on goal in the first half, with Spencer LaCivita (So., Raleigh, N.C.) making four saves. The Cavaliers were credited with a team save in the 31st minute; after LaCivita deflected a Jason Johnson shot, Johnson took the rebound and flicked a shot over LaCivita but Matt Brown (So., Charlotte, N.C.) knocked the ball away in front of the goal line to keep the stalemate intact.

VCU again was thwarted by LaCivita in the 75th minute. Joseph Haboush made a beautiful slip pass into the box to Devon Fisher to create a one-on-one situation, but LaCivita charged forward and made a tremendous sliding save to stuff Fisher. LaCivita also made a diving save on a Mario Herrera Meraz shot in the 67th minute.

LaCivita was credited with seven saves, one off his career best. Wells made five saves for VCU. Bates took a team-high four shots (three on goal) for Virginia, while Fisher racked up six shots for the Rams.

VCU finished with a 19-15 edge in shots and put seven shots on goal, compared to six for UVa. The Rams took seven corner kicks, while UVa earned three corners. The Cavaliers committed 16 fouls, while VCU was whistled for 15.

With three starters out because of injuries, UVa went deep into its bench and played 16 players in the game. Freshman Jordan Poarch (Middletown, Del.) made his first career start; all seven UVa rookies have earned at least one start now this season.

Virginia returns home at 7 p.m. Friday to take on Clemson in an ACC encounter.

 

UVA Men Travel to No. 8 UNC on FOX Soccer Channel

Virginia Men's Soccer Visits No. 8 North Carolina at 7 p.m. Friday

Game will be televised by FOX Soccer Channel

 

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The Virginia men’s soccer team hits the road Friday for a 7 p.m. ACC contest at No. 8 North Carolina. The match at UNC’s Fetzer Field will be televised by FOX Soccer Channel and also is UVa’s first true road game of the season.

Live Coverage 

FOX Soccer Channel will have live television coverage of the NSCAA National Game of the Week, with Dean Linke, Charlie Slagle and Blakely Mattern on the call.

Live statistics also will be available at VirginiaSports.com.

Records and Rankings

Virginia: 4-2-1 (1-0-0 ACC)

North Carolina: (4-1-1, 1-0-1 ACC); No. 8 (NSCAA), No. 12 (Soccer America)

Virginia-Drexel Recap

UVa picked up a 2-0 win over Drexel on Tuesday evening at Klöckner Stadium to wrap up a six-match homestand. 

Todd Wharton (Fr., Glen Allen, Va.) and Will Bates (Sr., Chester, Va.) each scored for the Cavaliers.

Virginia goalkeeper Spencer LaCivita (So., Raleigh, N.C.) made six saves for the Cavaliers for his second shutout of the year. While the Cavaliers out-shot Drexel 4-3 in the first half, the Dragons finished with a 13-8 shots edge. Drexel also took 11 corner kicks to one for UVa.

Virginia Tidbits

•  Six of Virginia’s seven matches have been decided by one goal or a tie.

•  UVa’s roster features three players from the state of North Carolina, including GK Spencer LaCivita from nearby Raleigh.

•  UVa is 1-1-1 this year vs. ranked teams; the Cavaliers opened against then-unranked Georgetown, which is now ranked as high as No. 9. 

•  The Cavaliers have held the possession advantage in each of their last four matches. Georgetown and UCLA are the only teams to have a possession edge this year against UVa.

• After playing six of their first seven matches at home, the Cavaliers are the visiting side for three of their next four games.

• UNC marks the third straight team to have a week of rest in advance of its match with UVa; VCU will become the fourth straight side on Tuesday. The Cavaliers have played on short rest in each of those matches.

Noting North Carolina

The reigning national champions have a 4-1-1 record entering the match Friday and own a 31-match home unbeaten streak. UNC has not suffered a loss at home since a 3-0 defeat to Akron on Sept. 3, 2010.

UNC’s scheduled Tuesday home match with Davidson was postponed because of inclement weather. The Tar Heels lost 1-0 at James Madison on Sept. 11, then played Wake Forest to a scoreless draw last Friday in their last contest.

Led by senior goalkeeper Scott Goodwin, the Tar Heels have surrendered only two goals this year (0.32 goals against average). On offense, Martin Murphy owns a team-high four goals, while Andy Craven boasts two goals and two assists. 

The Youth Movement  

Virginia’s lineup has taken on a much younger look this year. The Cavaliers have started at least five freshmen in each match and have had at least eight underclassmen in each starting lineup. Underclassmen have played 78 percent of the possible minutes through seven matches (5,763 of 7,315). 

Minutes Breakdown by Class:

Freshman: 3,032 (41.4 percent)

Sophomore: 2,731 (37.3 percent)

Junior: 885 (12.1 percent)

Senior: 621 (8.5 percent)

Tough Early Schedule Continues

Virginia has been challenged with an arduous schedule this year. Counting North Carolina, six of UVa’s first eight opponents have been ranked at some point this season. The Cavaliers are 2-2-1 against these squads, with both losses coming in overtime.

Top 25 foes Maryland, NC State and Wake Forest remain on the Cavaliers’ schedule. 

Up Next

Virginia travels to Richmond, Va., at 7 p.m. Tuesday to battle VCU at Sports Backer Stadium. The Rams are unbeaten at 4-0-2 and receiving votes in the NSCAA poll.

UVA men host Drexel Tuesday

Virginia Men's Soccer Entertains Drexel at 7 p.m. Tuesday

Cavaliers and Dragons meet for first time in men’s soccer 

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The Virginia men’s soccer team wraps up a six-match homestand at 7 p.m. Tuesday when it plays Drexel at Klöckner Stadium. Virginia (3-2-1) is unbeaten in its last three matches.

Live Coverage

Live statistics will be available at VirginiaSports.com.

Tickets

Single-game and season tickets for Virginia men's soccer currently are on sale through the Virginia Athletics Ticket Office. 

To purchase tickets online, visit VirginiaSports.com/Tickets. In-person purchases can be made at the Virginia Athletics Ticket Office in Bryant Hall at Scott Stadium on weekdays between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Telephone purchases can be made by calling 1-800-542-UVA1 (8821) or locally at 434-924-UVA1 (8821). 

Virginia-Xavier Recap

Virginia battled No. 19 Xavier to a 1-1 draw Friday evening. Brian James (Fr., Sunrise, Fla.) tallied the Cavaliers’ goal in the 67th minute for his first career score, but the Musketeers scored the equalizer with just over five minutes remaining in the second half to salvage a tie.

Virginia held a 15-12 advantage in shots and a 13-7 edge in corner kicks. The Cavaliers held a 3-2 shots advantage in the overtime periods in earning their first tie this year after losing their previous two overtime contests in the first OT session.

Noting the Cavaliers

• After scoring a hat trick last Tuesday in a win over Mount St. Mary’s, Will Bates (Sr., Chester, Va.) was named to TopDrawerSoccer.com’s Team of the Week. 

• Bates leads the team with four goals and an assist for nine points. 

• Chris Somerville (So., West Chester, Pa.) and Zach Carroll (Fr., Grand Blanc, Mich.) each own a pair of goals for the Cavaliers.

• Virginia sophomore defender Kyler Sullivan (Stafford, Va.) returned to action against Mount St. Mary’s after missing the first four matches with mononucleosis; Sullivan played the entire second half against MSM, then went the distance in UVa’s double-overtime tie against Xavier on Friday.

• With his goal Friday against Xavier, James is the third UVa freshman to strike paydirt this year, joining Carroll and Darius Madison (Philadelphia, Pa.). 

Noting Drexel

Winners of three straight matches, Drexel enters the game with a 3-1-1 record after consecutive wins against Air Force (2-1), Lehigh (1-0) and Lafayette (1-0); Drexel last played on Sept. 12.

Drexel has had eight different goal scorers this year, although Matheus Goncalves is the lone player to have more than one; he owns two scores. Fabio Machado leads the team with six points off a goal and team-high four assists. 

Up Next

UVa plays its first true road game of the year at 7 p.m. Friday when it faces reigning national champion North Carolina in a nationally televised match in Chapel Hill. The contest will be televised live by FOX Soccer Channel.

UVA senior midfielder ruled ineligible

Ari Dimas Ruled Ineligible for Remainder of UVa Soccer Season

Participation in Club Soccer Counted Toward His Eligibility

University of Virginia soccer player Ari Dimas (Courtesy of UVa)

Charlottesville, VA – The Virginia athletics department announced today that senior midfielder Ari Dimas (Chesapeake, Va.) is ineligible to compete for the remainder of the 2012 season. 

In 2008, as a first year student and non-varsity student-athlete at the University, Dimas played for the men’s club soccer team. Dimas joined the varsity team in 2009 as a walk-on. 

According to NCAA bylaws, the year of participation with the club program counted as a year of varsity competition since the institution sponsored the sport of men’s soccer on the varsity intercollegiate level.

Dimas played for the Cavaliers in the 2009, 2010 and 2011 seasons. By NCAA bylaws, his eligibility expired following the conclusion of the 2011 season.

Dimas’ participation in the first six matches this season (two exhibition, four regular season) will not result in a change of the outcome of any of those contests. The athletics department has been fined $3000 by the NCAA for his participation in those six contests.

Dimas played in 59 matches during his career, starting 48 games. He played in all six of UVa’s matches this season prior to last Tuesday’s contest against Mount Saint Mary’s. He scored four goals in his career – all game winners – and added six assists. 

Dimas was a starter on UVa’s 2009 national championship team and scored the winning goal in the Cavaliers’ 2009 NCAA Tournament third round match against Portland. He graduated from the University last May with a double major in sociology and philosophy. 

In 2011 he was named to the All-ACC Academic Soccer Team and ACC Academic Honor Roll.

He will continue his graduate courses with hopes of pursuing a master’s degree in commerce. Dimas will serve as a volunteer coach for the remainder of the season.

No. 5 UVA women tie No. 6 UNC 2-2

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – The No. 5 Virginia women’s soccer team ran its unbeaten streak to nine games with a 2-2 draw with No. 6 North Carolina on Sunday in front of a season-high 1,603 fans at Klöckner Stadium. The Cavaliers go to 8-1-1 overall (1-0-1 ACC) with the result, while the Tar Heels (4-2-2, 0-1-1 ACC) are winless through two games of conference play for the first time in history.

Senior forward Caroline Miller (Rockville, Md.) scored both Cavalier goals and posted her second consecutive multi-goal game. Her eighth career multi-goal performance offset Carolina’s Kealia Ohai, who had both UNC goals.

“When you look at the game and the chances we had and the ones we gave up, a tie is probably a just result,” said head coach Steve Swanson. “I think later in the year, this result will look pretty good. Right now it doesn’t feel good because it’s not what we wanted, especially after having the lead in the second half.  But given the way the game went, I think we can both take a point from this game and look to build on it.”

There were few chances in the first half as the teams combined for just eight shots, four for each side. The Tar Heels took advantage of a late chance to take the lead with 56 remaining before halftime. Ohai stayed just onside as Reilly Parker found her with a through ball and she scored on the ensuing breakaway.

The Cavaliers opened the second half strong and drew even in the 49th minute. Miller received a pass from Erica Hollenberg (Fairfax Station, Va.) and got in behind the Tar Heel defense. She gathered the ball at the penalty spot and slotted home her sixth goal of the season.

Miller struck again six minutes later to give Virginia a 2-1 lead. Morgan Brian (St. Simons Island, Ga.), playing in her first game of the season after international duty at the U-20 World Cup, sent a ball over the top of the UNC defense. Miller beat the charging keeper to the pass and one-timed a chip past the goalie and in for her seventh goal of the season.

“I felt that we came out of halftime ready to go and maybe caught them in a lull,” said Miller, who cracked the top 10 of Virginia’s career-goal list with her 31st and 32nd tallies. “We opened up some space and I had two great balls played to me. I was happy to be able to bury those chances.”

North Carolina answered in the 73rd minute on Ohai’s second of the day. Ohai, who scored the goal for Swanson’s United States squad in the 1-0 victory over Germany in last week’s U-20 World Cup final, got in behind the Cavalier defense, beat a defender to a loose ball in the box and poked in the goal to bring the Tar Heels level.

The game remained tied at 2-2 after 90 minutes and Virginia headed to overtime for the first time this season. It marked the fifth time in the last seven meetings between the Cavaliers and Tar Heels that went to overtime. Both sides created few chances in extra time and the game resulted in the 2-2 draw.

“We did a great job early in the second half and went up 2-1,” said Swanson. “We were in good position and we just didn’t handle their pressure very well. Give Carolina credit, that is what they do well. We just turned it over too easily at times and that led to their second goal. We knew how good Ohai is, working with her the past year (with the U-20s), and we needed to do a better job of covering her. We can take a lot from this game, learn from it, and improve as we move forward.”

The Tar Heels outshot the Cavaliers 16-11, marking the first time Virginia had been outshot this season. North Carolina also had an 8-2 corner kick edge. Danielle DeLisle (Baltimore, Md.) made four saves in goal for Virginia while Anna Sieloff (one save) and Bryane Heaberlin (three saves) split time in the Carolina goal.

The Cavaliers will be off for a week before returning to action next Sunday as they visit Clemson. Game time at Historic Riggs Field is 1 p.m., and the game will be broadcast online by ESPN3

Video: Q&A with Virginia women's soccer Morgan Brian

Morgan Brian talks about the U-20 World Cup, her return to Virginia and previews the North Carolina game.

UVA College Soccer Wrap-Up

University of Virginia-

Virginia Men’s Soccer Scores Late to Drop No. 22 California, 2-1

Carroll heads home game winner in 84th minute

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The Virginia men’s soccer team scored its first win of the season Friday night with a 2-1 victory over No. 22 California in front of 2,015 spectators in the home opener at Klöckner Stadium. Freshman Zach Carroll (Grand Blanc, Mich.) headed home the game-winning goal with just over six minutes remaining in regulation. (Read Full Story)

No. 11 UCLA Sinks Virginia Men's Soccer in Overtime, 1-0

Bruins score golden goal with 28 seconds remaining in extra time

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Joe Sofia scored the match’s lone goal with 28 seconds remaining in overtime to lift No. 11 UCLA to a 1-0 victory over the Virginia men’s soccer team on Sunday evening at Klöckner Stadium. (Read Full Story)

Women’s Soccer Blanks Texas 3-0 in Road Opener

Menchel, Doniak and Miller score as Virginia improves to 4-1

AUSTIN, Texas – The No. 7 Virginia women’s soccer team posted its fourth straight shutout victory, downing Texas 3-0 Friday night at Mike A. Myers Stadium. The Cavaliers got goals from Molly Menchel (Alexandria, Va.), Makenzy Doniak (Chino Hills, Calif.) and Caroline Miller (Rockville, Md.) as they won their road opener for the first time since the 2008 season.  

Virginia improved to 4-1 with the win while Texas fell to 2-3 on the season. (Read Full Story)

Cavaliers Complete Texas Trip with 2-1 Win Over SMU

Miller and Roberts score as Virginia posts its fifth straight victory

AUSTIN, Texas – The No. 7 Virginia women’s soccer team ran its win streak to five with a 2-1 victory over SMU on Sunday at the Time Warner Cable Texas Invitational at Mike A. Myers Stadium. The Cavaliers (5-1) completed their trip to Austin with a pair of wins, after defeating host Texas 3-0 on Friday night. The Mustangs fell to 2-3 on the season with the loss. (Read Full Story)

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

No. 8 Virginia Women Host Liberty Wednesday

Cavaliers Continue Homestand Wednesday Against Liberty

Virginia looks for second straight win over in-state competition

CHARLOTTESVILLE – The No. 8 Virginia women’s soccer team continues its season-opening four-game homestand Wednesday as it hosts Liberty. Game time at Klöckner Stadium is set for 7 p.m.

Tickets are $7 for adult general admission and $5 for youth, senior and faculty/staff general admission. Group tickets (20 or more) are $4.

Both teams enter the game with a 1-1 record. The Cavaliers dropped their season opener Friday to then-No. 8 Penn State, 3-1. They rebounded with a 5-0 victory over Radford on Sunday for their first win of the season. The Flames won 1-0 at Davidson on Friday in their season opener before falling 1-0 to Drexel in their home opener on Sunday.

Through two games, Virginia is led in scoring by first-year Makenzy Doniak (Chino Hills, Calif.), who has two goals and two assists. The Cavaliers’ six goals this season have been scored by five different players, as Kaili Torres (Fleming Island, Fla.), Danielle Colaprico (Freehold, N.J.), Gloria Douglas (Fayetteville, N.C.) and Kate Norbo (Roanoke, Va.) have also found the back of the net.

Virginia leads the all-time series 11-0-0, with all games coming at Klöckner Stadium. This season marks the 10th consecutive year that the teams have met. The Cavaliers have outscored the Flames 54-1 during the previous 11 meetings, with Liberty’s lone goal coming in last year’s 9-1 Virginia win.

Virginia concludes its homestand on Sunday as it hosts UNC Wilmington at 2 p.m. The Cavaliers make their first road trip of the season the following week as they travel to Austin, Texas, for the Longhorn Invitational where they will play Texas and SMU. 

UVA Alumni and Hall of Fame Inductee, Tony Meola to play in Cinco De Jimi Cup

EL JIMADOR ANNOUNCES THE ‘DREAM TEAM’ ROSTER

FOR THE FIRST CINCO DE JIMI CUP

Lucky 10 will participate in the ultimate soccer experience as they play alongside their favorite players

LOUISVILLE, KY. (June 6, 2012) – el Jimador, 100 percent blue agave tequila, today announced the soccer legends from the U.S. and Mexican National teams and the 10 contest winners who will participate in the inaugural “Cinco de Jimi Cup” on July 10, 2012 at Casa Herradura’s Hacienda San José del Refugio in Amatitan, Jalisco. Part of el Jimador’s commitment to create once in a lifetime experiences for soccer fans, the Cinco de Jimi Cup is a friendly soccer game between former players from the U.S. and Mexican National teams.

A record-breaking number of adults 21 and older participated in the “What’s Your 100%” contest through el Jimador’s Facebook tab at www.Facebook.com/elJimador, by creating a list of characteristics that define them in percentages, adding up to 100 in alignment with the brand’s 100% blue agave attribute. Shane Evans of Goal.com, The Original Winger founder Benjamin Hooper, and two el Jimador executives, reviewed the entries and selected 10 winners based on originality, personality and use of the el Jimador brand.

The player roster for the “Cinco de Jimi Cup” includes:

U.S. National Team

·         Alexi Lalas (captain): el Jimador brand ambassador, National Soccer Hall of Famer and ex defender of the U.S. National team

·         Cobi Jones: National Soccer Hall of Famer and All-time leader in caps with U.S. Men's National Team

·         Tony Meola: recently named National Soccer Hall of Fame inductee and former goal keeper of the U.S. National team

Mexican National Team

·         Luis Roberto ‘Zague’ Alves (captain): former striker of the Mexican National Team and record- holding CONCACAF top scorer

·         Jorge Campos: former goal keeper and striker of the Mexican National team

·         Luis ‘El Matador’ Hernandez: former striker that holds the record for the Mexican National Team as the top scorer in the World Cup

The following ten lucky contest winners will be divided between both teams to play alongside and against their soccer idols:

• Cassandra Byerly (Green Bay, WI)
• Maria Cisneros (Millville, NJ)
• Walker Corl (Kannapolis, NC)
• Adam Gonzales (Bronx, NY)
• Sheridan Hurd (Tigard, OR)
• Baldo Romnel Ibarra (Denver, CO)
• Lucas Perry (Portland, ME)
• Anthony Rossi (Salt Lake City, UT)
• Edith Rodiguez Salazar (Crystal Lake, IL)
• Jacob Szopinski (Buffalo, NY)
  
  

“Ten soccer fans will have the chance to play with soccer legends that are true artists with the soccer ball and embark on the first of once-in-a-lifetime soccer experiences organized by el Jimador,” said Jesus Ostos, Brown-Forman tequilas brand marketing group manager. “Just like soccer is more than a game for passionate soccer fans, handcrafting tequila is a way of life and truly an art form for el Jimador.” 

In addition to participation in the match alongside soccer legends, the contest prize also includes round-trip airfare, hotel accommodations, and local transportation for all winners and a guest.

Two UVA Players Named to U.S. Under-20 Women's National Team

University of Virginia midfielder Morgan Brian, former Soccer America Freshman of the Year and Gatorade Female High School Athlete of the Year, along with her college teammate Oliva Brannon have been named to the roster of the U.S. Under-20 Women's National Team for the upcoming 2012 CONCACAF U-20 Women's Championship.

All games of the 2012 CONCACAF U-20 Women's Championship will be streamed live on CONCACAF TV March 1-11, 2012.  (official tournament site)

Read Full Story: Swanson Names Roster for 2012 CONCACAF U-20 Women's Championsh​ip