The second-ranked UVA women’s soccer team remained unbeaten with a 2-1 come-from-behind victory over Tennessee Friday night in front of a season-high 2,490 fans at Klöckner Stadium. The Cavaliers (6-0-0) ran its home winning streak to 22 games, while the Volunteers (3-3) had a two-game win streak snapped.
Sophomore Kristen McNabb (Montville, N.J.) and senior Danielle Colaprico (Freehold, N.J.) scored second half goals for Virginia, who posted its first come-from-behind win of the season after accomplishing the feat a school-record five times last season.
“I was proud of the team for coming back and getting this win,” said head coach Steve Swanson. “I think we needed to adjust. We weren’t ready for the athleticism and the direct play of Tennessee. It was a different kind of game than what we have seen all year. I was pleased with how we responded after we allowed the first goal. We controlled the final 20-25 minutes of the first half and we really created a lot of chances in the second half. We could have broken it open in the second half and made it a little bigger margin. It is a game we can take a lot from and learn from.”
Tennessee took a 1-0 lead in the 10th minute, marking the first time this season that the Cavaliers trailed in a game. New Zealand international Hannah Wilkinson headed in a free kick from Kiah Allen for her fourth goal of the season. Virginia’s best chance to equalize came in the 18th minute as a Volunteer handball in the box set up a penalty kick opportunity. That shot by Colaprico went just wide and despite an 11-3 shot advantage, the Cavaliers trailed 1-0 at the break.
The Cavaliers drew even in the 50th minute on McNabb’s first career goal. A cross to the far post was tracked down by Brittany Ratcliffe (Williamstown, N.J.) and played back to McNabb at the top of the box. She one-timed a shot inside the far post to tie the game. Virginia took the lead seven minutes later when Alexis Shaffer (Cary, N.C.) found Colaprico at the top of the box. She took a touch and fired a shot from 20 yards out that found the back of the net for her second goal of the season.
Overall, Virginia outshot Tennessee 23-10 and had a 9-2 corner kick advantage. Morgan Stearns (San Antonio, Texas) played all 90 minutes in goal for the Cavaliers. Tennessee keeper Jamie Simmons made four saves at the other end.
Virginia will look to win its 17th Virginia Nike Soccer Classic championship on Sunday when the tournament concludes at Klöckner Stadium. The Cavaliers will play Hofstra at 2:30 p.m. The Pride is coming off a 2-1 victory over Duke in Friday’s first game of the tournament. Sunday’s schedule begins with Tennessee playing Richmond at noon.
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