Aug 30, 2013
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. - The No. 9 Penn State women's soccer team dropped its first road match of the season to No. 5 Virginia, 5-1, on Friday evening at Klöckner Stadium. The Nittany Lions led 1-0 early on before UVA took control, netting three goals in the first half.
Penn State moves to 1-1-1 this season while the Cavaliers improve to 3-0. Friday's contest marks the Lions' first-ever road loss to UVA in a series that dates back to 1997.
Senior forward Maya Hayes (West Orange, N.J.) notched the lone goal for PSU, tapping one in on a cross from sophomore Mallory Weber (Novi, Mich.) in the sixth minute to give the Blue and White a 1-0 lead.
The Cavaliers responded seven minutes later as junior Morgan Brian drilled one in from 18 yards out on an assist from sophomore Makenzy Doniak to tie the match up at one goal apiece.
UVA controlled the momentum for the rest of the half, taking a 2-1 lead in the 18th minute on a goal by Doniak, assisted by Gloria Douglas and Danielle Colaprico. Senior Kate Norbo extended the Wahoos' lead to 3-1 in the 21st minute, netting one from 15 yards out on a breakaway.
Virginia showed no signs of letting up in the second half as senior Shasta Fisher knocked one in at the far post from 15 yards out just two minutes in, giving the Cavaliers a 4-1 advantage.
Penn State sophomore Raquel Rodriguez (San Jose, Costa Rica) attempted to answer with a goal in the 61st minute but was stymied by UVA keeper Morgan Stearns, who made a quality save.
Keeper Britt Eckerstrom (Germantown, Md.) came up with two nice saves in the 72nd and 73rd minutes before Cavalier sophomore Brittany Ratcliffe nudged one past her on an assist from Kailie Torres in the 77th minute to put the score at 5-1.
Nittany Lion freshman Salina Williford (Wayne, Pa.) had an opportunity to score in the 86th minute but came up short as Stearn was, again, up to the task.
UVA's Mary Morgan and Morgan Reuther attempted to increase the Wahoo's lead but were unable to capitalize as Eckerstrom tallied three more saves to close out the match at 5-1.
The Lions return home for a Sunday match against La Salle. The game is slated for a 1 p.m. start at Jeffrey Field. Fans are reminded that there is a no bag policy in place on stadium grounds.