Virginia posted its second straight shutout of the 2024 season, riding two first-half goals to a 2-0 win over Northwestern on Sunday at Klöckner Stadium.
Don’t get too excited – Northwestern (1-1) was picked 12th in the 18-team Big Ten in the preseason.
The Cavaliers (2-0) got the early advantage in the ninth minute as Meredith McDermott got a one-on-one chance approaching the six-yard box from the left side. Tatum Galvin played a through ball up the middle from the defensive third, where McDermott and her defender were stride for stride down the spine of the field.
The defender’s slide tackle was just off the mark, and Galvin poked the ball ahead down the field, where McDermott picked it up for the one-on-one opportunity.
The junior forward buried the shot across the face of goal where it hit the back post and caromed in net for the score.
The 2-0 lead came in the 44th minute when Degen Miller came down the right side, cut in toward the box along the end line and took her shot.
The shot was deflected by the Northwestern keeper into a defender behind her and bounced into goal off the Wildcat’s shin.
UVA held strong in the second half with keeper Victoria Safradin making a pair of saves as the defense turned away the Wildcats’ attack over the last 45 minutes.
McDermott just missed on a brace as got a chance in the 90th minute that hit the left post.
“We knew this would be a good opponent, and they were,” UVA coach Steve Swanson said. “They are very organized, have a set way to play on both sides of the ball, and we needed to do certain things to win the game. We were organized defensively; our defending from front to back was very good and was the difference for us. We did a good job moving the ball at times and got a couple of transition goals, but we have to be a little better under pressure.”
Next up for the ‘Hoos: a mid-week road trip to fourth-ranked Penn State. The Cavaliers and Nittany Lions kick off at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday in a game that will be streamed on B1G+.
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Chris Graham
