The 17th-ranked UVA Soccer team finally broke through in the final 13 minutes to break a stalemate, getting goals from Lia Godfrey and Allie Ross to go on to a 2-0 win over Liberty on Sunday in Lynchburg.
The ‘Hoos (3-0-0) had the possession and attacking advantage all day, but Liberty (2-1-1) was able to keep the game square until the 77th minute, when midfielder Ella Carter was fouled 28 yards out to set up a free kick.
With the ball set up near middle of goal, Godfrey lined up and drove her kick over the wall and into the upper right corner for the 1-0 lead.
Virginia doubled the lead eight minutes later with a strike from Ross in the 85th minute. A throw in found its way to the feet of Meredith McDermott, who played the ball off to Ella Carter on a run toward the box. Carter immediately played the ball ahead to Ross in the penalty area, where Ross turned around a defender and sent the shot in back toward the right post for the 2-0 lead.
Viki Safradin closed out her fourth consecutive shutout dating back to last season.
Up next: Virginia returns home to host Charlotte on Thursday with a 7 p.m. kick at Klöckner Stadium.
The game against the 49ers begins a five-game homestand.