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The Virginia women's soccer team put its #1 ranking and undefeated, untied record to the test on Thursday night against their stiffest competition of the year: #9 Notre Dame. The game lived up to the hype and so did the 'Hoos, as the Cavaliers came away with a 3-2 win in double overtime at a rain-soaked Klockner Stadium.
A Klockner Stadium women's soccer record crowd of 2838 fans got to watch a treat of a game, even if they did it from the cover of numerous umbrellas scattered throughout the bleachers. It was the second time in three games that a new attendance record was set for a women's game.
Junior Morgan Brian's golden goal header in the 101st minute - the first minute of the second overtime - sent the record crowd into a frenzy. Of course, it also sent the Notre Dame coaches and players into a frenzy as they attempted to contest the goal. An Irish defender had kicked the ball out of the goal, but the assistant referee (or whatever they call the guy with the flag on the sideline) emphatically raised his flag saying the ball had crossed the line before getting kicked out.
Senior Gloria Douglas put the Cavaliers on top early with a header in the 4th minute off a cross from junior Danielle Colaprico. Notre Dame tied the game in the 25th minute and the score would remain tied through halftime. After the half however, in the 50th minute, senior Molly Menchel's cross into the box was deflected into the net by an Irish defender. Notre Dame would get the last goal of regulation, however, in the 73rd minute.
The first overtime was contested without any damage. But just one minute into the second overtime, Colaprico sent a corner kick into the box that Brian got a head on and sent across the line. Check out the video highlights to see if you think the ball crossed the line. Regardless, the official did and that's what matters.
The Cavaliers take their ranking and record back on the road on Sunday when they travel to Winston-Salem, NC to take on #14 Wake Forest at 1pm. On Thursday they face unranked N.C. State at 7pm before traveling to Chapel Hill next Sunday at 1pm to face #4 North Carolina.