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The No. 1 and undefeated Virginia Cavalier women’s soccer team was in action Thursday evening as they hosted the No. 16 Virginia Tech Hokies. Thanks to two late goals from Meghan McCool and Diana Ordonez, the Hoos came out on top and earned a point in the Commonwealth Clash. Ordonez was playing in her first contest after missing three games due to injury.
FINAL | The top-ranked Hoos pick up a point in the Commonwealth Clash with the 2-0 win over No. 16 Virginia Tech. #GoHoos pic.twitter.com/2y9BENdnHM
— Virginia Women's Soccer (@UVAWomenSoccer) September 26, 2019
Neither team was able to find the back of the net in the first half, despite the Cavaliers holding a 4-2 advantage in shots. Virginia Tech goalie Mandy McGlynn had three saves in the first half, but the Hokies couldn’t put either of their shots on cage.
It took a little over 25 minutes into the second half before McCool broke open the scoring to give the home team a 1-0 advantage. A turnover by the Hokies in their own defensive end gave Virginia the ball, and Ashlynn Serepca crossed the ball into the middle just outside the box. Ordonez made a slick turn (while being tackled), and McCool made a cut-back to get enough space to put the ball in the lower right corner.
Meghan McCool with her 8th goal of the season to put the Hoos on top here in the Commonwealth Clash. #GoHoos pic.twitter.com/HWQhAP6Vaz
— Virginia Women's Soccer (@UVAWomenSoccer) September 26, 2019
Virginia got an insurance goal a little over 13:30 later thanks to another broken clear by the Virginia Tech defense. This time, Ordonez did it all herself as she corralled a loose ball outside the box and used her left to put it on goal. It was her 10th goal of the season, good for first in the ACC, and was a good way to return from injury.
That's 10 goals this season for those of you keeping track at home! Diana Ordoñez slips one in to give the Hoos the 2-0 lead on Virginia Tech. #GoHoos pic.twitter.com/IQOfnkNUsO
— Virginia Women's Soccer (@UVAWomenSoccer) September 26, 2019
This was Virginia Tech’s first loss of the season, dropping the Hokies to 9-1. No. 16 Virginia Tech becomes the fourth ranked victory for the Hoos, joining No. 8 Penn State, No. 12 West Virginia, and No. 15 Georgetown.
With the win, Virginia improved to 9-0-1 on the season. The clean sheet for Virginia goalie Laurel Ivory was the 21st shut out of her career, good for 4th best in school history. It also was head coach Steve Swanson’s 411th win of his career. On the season, Virginia has outscored its opponents 38-4 and registered six shutouts.
The Hoos stay at home for the next game, hosting No. 10 Duke on Sunday at 2pm. The game will be broadcast on the ACC Network.