The third-ranked UVA women’s soccer team concluded a two-game trip to Alabama with a 3-1 win at Samford Sunday. The Cavaliers (5-0-0) remained unbeaten on the season with the win, while the Bulldogs (3-3-0) saw their three-game win streak snapped.
Senior Morgan Brian (St. Simons Island, Ga.) had a goal and an assist to lead Virginia offensively. Junior Brittany Ratcliffe (Williamstown, N.J.) and first-year Veronica Latsko (Venetia, Pa.) also scored for the Cavaliers, who have scored at least three goals in every game this season.
“We did some good things today, but I thought we lost our way in the second half,” said head coach Steve Swanson. “I think you have to give a lot of credit to Samford. They pressured us well in the second half and made it difficult. Their goal early in the second half got them back in the match. There are a lot of good lessons we can take from this game, and that is going to happen with a young team. We just need to make sure we learn from this game as we prepare for the upcoming week.”
Virginia took the lead in the 17th minute on Ratcliffe’s fourth goal of the season. Emily Sonnett (Marietta, Ga.) sent a ball over the top to Brian, who delivered a cross that Ratcliffe one-timed in from inside the six-yard box. The Cavaliers doubled the lead just before the half. Megan Reid (Orinda, Calif.) dribbled into the box in the 41st minute and found Brian, who slotted home her first goal of the season. Virginia took the 2-0 lead into the break, outshooting the Bulldogs 11-1.
Samford cut the lead in half in the 52nd minute as Malcanisha Kelley received the ball on the right flank and curled a shot inside the far post. It was her second goal of the season and the first allowed by the Cavaliers this season.
The Cavaliers answered in the 64th minute to extend the lead to 3-1. Danielle Colaprico (Freehold, N.J.) served a free kick into the box that Latsko one-timed in for her second goal of the season.
Overall, Virginia outshot Samford 18-3 and had a 4-2 corner kick advantage. Sophomore Morgan Stearns (San Antonio, Texas) made one save while playing the first half in goal for the Cavaliers, before sophomore Jessie Ferrari (Fairfax, Va.) played the second half. Anna Maddox made four saves in goal for Samford.
Virginia returns home to host the Virginia Nike Soccer Classic next week. Friday will feature a tripleheader of soccer at Klöckner Stadium. The Cavaliers play Tennessee at 5:30 p.m. in the middle game of the day, a match that will be broadcast online by NSCAAtv.com. The first game of the Virginia Nike Soccer Classic will be at 3 p.m., as Duke plays Hofstra. The tripleheader concludes at 8 p.m. with the Virginia men hosting Virginia Tech in their ACC opener.
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Chris Graham
