Courtesy: Pete Emerson/UVa Media Relations Jess Rostedt
DURHAM, N.C. – The Virginia women’s soccer team snapped a four-game winless streak and picked up its first road win of the season with a 1-0 win at Duke Thursday night at Koskinen Stadium. Jess Rostedt’s (Kent, Ohio) goal in the 40th minute was all the Cavaliers needed to improve to 7-5-3 overall and 2-4-1 in the ACC.
“Obviously we are delighted with the win, it has been a long time,” said head coach Steve Swanson. “I thought we played well in the first half, put pressure on them and moved the ball well and were rewarded with a goal. There were some bits and pieces in the second half that we can learn from, but the biggest thing for us tonight was to come down here and get three points, and that’s what we did.”
The Cavaliers had the better of chances in the first half and took advantage to take a 1-0 lead in with just over five minutes remaining. Lauren Alwine’s (Elizabethtown, Pa.) cross to the far post was played back across the front of goal by Sinead Farrelly (Havertown, Pa.) to Rostedt, who tapped in her seventh goal of the season. It was the first time Virginia led at the half in five games.
“Getting the goal late in that first half was really important,” said Swanson. “We have shown that when we get in that position that we are tough to beat.”
The chances were few for both teams in the second half and the Cavaliers were able to keep Duke from finding the equalizer. It was the sixth shutout of the season for Virginia, and the first in five games.
“We did some good things today,” said Swanson. “We have been on the road a lot recently and have had trouble getting results, so this win is a big one. This is a tough place to play and I don’t think Duke has lost too often here. It was a good result for us and hopefully something that can give us some momentum.”
Overall, Virginia outshot Duke 15-5 and had a 5-1 corner kick advantage. Chantel Jones (Midlothian, Va.) needed to make just one save to post the clean sheet, while Tara Campbell made eight saves for the Blue Devils.
The Cavaliers conclude their four-match road trip on Sunday as they visit No. 5 Wake Forest. VIRGINIA 1, DUKE 0
Virginia (7-5-3, 2-4-1) 1 0 - 1 Duke (6-6-4, 2-3-2) 0 0 - 0
Full Scoreboard
Courtesy: Pete Emerson/UVa Media Relations