Virginia women’s lax takes down Louisville in OT, moves on to ACC tournament semis

It was exciting and it certainly wasn’t easy, but the #3 seeded Virginia Cavaliers picked up a 13-12 overtime win over #6 seed Louisville in the quarterfinals of the ACC tournament. Kasey Behr netted the game winner for Virginia, and helped Head Coach Julie Myers hit a career milestone at the same time.

Myers, a Virginia alumna (1990), is in her 22nd season as head coach of the Hoos, and has made the NCAA tournament every season she’s been coaching.

Louisville took a 2-0 lead early into the game, but three straight goals by Virginia gave them a 3-2 lead. The game was a back and forth affair that featured six ties and six lead changes, with neither team leading by more than two goals at any point.

After entering halftime deadlocked at seven, Louisville took a one goal lead just 11 seconds into the second half. Virginia responded with a three goal run to jump ahead 10-8, but Louisville’s goalkeeper got hot (or stayed hot, really) as the Cardinals answered with four straight scores to put the Hoos in a bind, down 12-10 with 9:40 to play.

Behr scored her second of the game with 8:28 remaining to pull the Hoos within one, and a forced turnover on a failed clear allowed Posey Valis to find Kelly Reese on the crease with the equalizer with just 1:16 left in the game.

The Cardinals won the ensuing faceoff, but threw the ball away on a free position shot at the top of the 8-meter arc, ensuring the game would go to extra time. Virginia won possession to kick off overtime, and Behr powered her way to the goal and finished lefty for the game winner.

Valis led the way with four goals for Virginia, and Behr chipped in three. Sammy Mueller, Besser Dyson, and Reese each had two goals apiece. Virginia’s point leader, Maggie Jackson, was held scoreless for just the second time all season, but her two assists ensured her point streak would continue (she has a point in each game this season). In cage, Rachel Vander Kolk finished with 10 saves.

Louisville’s goalkeeper, Brittany Read, was outstanding in cage with 15 saves. Meghan Siverson led the Cardinals with three goals in the loss.

Virginia will face #2 seed Syracuse in the ACC semifinals. The Hoos lost a heartbreaker to the Orange, 16-15, earlier this season. First draw is set for 8pm, and the ACC Network Extra will stream the game online.