The top-ranked UVA Soccer team got a late first-half goal from Lia Godfrey, then tacked on insurance with second-half goals from Ella Carter and Maggie Cagle, on the way to a 3-0 win at Syracuse on Saturday night.
Virginia (8-0-1, 2-0-0 ACC) got on the board late in the first half with a strike from Godfrey in the 37th minute. A service to midfield following a goal kick was collected by Carrie Helfrich, who turned on the attack and found Allie Ross ahead on a run. She played the ball to Ross, who then laid it to her left for Godfrey on her flank, and Godfrey took her shot as she approached the corner of the sixth.
The midfielder sent the chance in across to the back right of goal for the 1-0 lead.
Virginia doubled the lead in the second half with a goal off the foot of Carter in the 74th minute. After Syracuse was unable to clear the ball, the Cavaliers reset with Godfrey collecting the ball at the top left corner of the box. She cut in toward the center along the top and passed the ball over to Carter at the opposite side. Carter settled and slipped her shot in past the near post for the 2-0 lead.
The ‘Hoos added a third goal in the 84th minute with a penalty kick goal from Cagle.
Virginia continues to play on the road next week with a matchup at Clemson on Thursday (Sept. 25). Kick is set for 7 p.m.