#1 UVa. women’s soccer wins at Pittsburgh

The top-ranked Virginia women’s soccer team remained unbeaten on the season, posting a 3-1 victory at Pittsburgh Sunday. The Cavaliers (9-0, 3-0 ACC) matched its best start to a season since 2004, while the Panthers fell to 4-5-1 (0-4) in their inaugural season in the ACC.

Sophomore forward Makenzy Doniak (Chino Hills, Calif.) had two goals and junior midfielder Morgan Brian (St. Simons Island, Ga.) had a goal and an assist to lead the Cavaliers, who posted their third come-from-behind win of the season.

“You always have to feel good about getting a result on the road in this league,” said head coach Steve Swanson. “Give Pitt a lot of credit, they played very hard and were very determined in the final third.”

The Panthers took the early lead in the 12th minute as Dana DelleFamine scored off a breakaway for Pitt’s first goal in an ACC game. The Cavaliers answered in the 27th minute to tie the game. Junior midfielder Danielle Colaprico’s (Freehold, N.J.) cross found Brian in the box, who took a turn and fired in her sixth goal of the season. The game remained tied at halftime despite Virginia’s 17-1 shot and 9-0 corner kick advantages.

The Cavaliers took the lead in the 57th minute on Doniak’s first goal of the afternoon. Brian took a shot from the top of the box that the keeper saved, but the rebound went right to Doniak, who tapped in the ball into the empty net at the far post. Doniak struck again five minutes later for her team-leading eighth goal of the season. Redshirt freshman defender Kristen McNabb slipped a through ball to Doniak, who fired a shot from the top of the box inside the near post.

The Cavaliers outshot the Panthers 37-3 and had a 13-0 corner kick advantage, setting season highs in both categories. Senior Danielle DeLisle (Baltimore, Md.) made one save for Virginia to post her second victory of the season. Pitt keeper Nicole D’Agostino made 10 saves at the other end.

The Cavaliers conclude their three-game road trip Thursday as they visit No. 16 Duke. Game time in Durham is 7 p.m., and the game will be broadcast online on the ACC Digital Network.