Women’s soccer: #8 UVA shuts out Cincinnati

The No. 8 UVA (2-0-0) women’s soccer team picked up its second win of the weekend on Sunday (Aug. 19), racing to a 3-0 victory over Cincinnati (1-1-0) at Klöckner Stadium.

The Cavaliers got goals from sophomore Taryn Torres (Frisco, Texas), senior Ayan Adu (Ashburn, Va.) and freshman Rebecca Jarrett (Washington Township, N.J.) on the way to the victory.

Sophomore goalkeeper Laurel Ivory (Sunrise, Fla.) picked up the win in goal in her first start of the season, playing the full 90 minutes in the shutout. Virginia’s defense also held the Bearcats to six shots on the night, with only two shots on goal.

“We have some things to still work on,” said Virginia head coach Steve Swanson. “We were a bit disjointed, but Cincinnati had something to do with that. Our attack helped our defense by possessing the ball so much and limiting their chances, but we can still get better.

“Any time you can win early, it’s important. We move into ACC play quickly and these non-conference games are important – especially the ones that come at home. We are happy to get the win here, but there are things we can do better on both sides of the ball and we will need to as we move forward in the season.”

Virginia struck first with a goal in the 15th minute off the foot of Taryn Torres (Frisco, Texas). The Cavaliers pushed the ball down the far side of the field and the keeper came out to collect a ball served into the box. It bounced off the diving keeper and was collected by Alexa Spaanstra (Brighton, Mich.), who tapped it to Torres at the top of the box. Torres tucked the shot in just under the crossbar for the 1-0 lead.

The Cavaliers extended the lead in the 75th minute when Adu scored her second goal of the weekend. The Virginia senior took the ball off the foot of a Cincinnati player at the top of the box to set up the scoring play. After dispossessing the Bearcat, she dribbled into the box and blasted her shot past the keeper for the 2-0 lead.

Virginia added to the lead in the 83rd minute when Jarrett notched her first collegiate goal to give the Cavaliers the 3-0 advantage. Running on a counter, Torres raced down the far side of the field before sending the ball ahead to Jarrett. The freshman collected the ball in stride outside the box and dribbled in, taking her shot from 15 yards out and slipping it in low past the keeper.

It was the final goal of the match for the Cavaliers who out-shot Cincinnati 18-to-6 on the afternoon.

Virginia will return to action on Thursday (Aug. 23), traveling to face William & Mary in a 7 p.m. match before returning home to host Bucknell on Sunday (Aug. 26) at 2 p.m.