In a fitting end to their regular season careers, the seniors on the women's soccer team did what they have all year Led by forward Lindsay Gusick's first- half goal, the Cavalier seniors helped No. 4 Virginia (14-2-1, 6-2-1 ACC) defeat North Carolina State (7-8-2, 1-8-0)3-0 last night. With the victory, the Cavaliers finished the season undefeated at home, with an 11-0-0 record.
Gusick's goal came about 10 minutes into the game. Assisted by fellow senior Gillian Hatch and junior Noelle Keselica, Gusick kicked the ball into the lower left corner of the goal to put Virginia up 1-0. It was Gusick's team-leading 12th goal of the season.
Seniors contributed on the defensive side of the field as well. Defenders Katie Bunch, Jamie Fabrizio and Jessica Trainor distributed strong kicks to their offensive teammates throughout the game. Fabrizio received enthusiastic cheers from the crowd after making a sliding kick to knock the ball away from an opposing player.
Virginia's defense held N.C. State to only two shots on goal in recording their third consecutive shutout and seventh at home. The Cavaliers finished the regular season having allowed a total of just four goals at Klöckner Stadium.
Hatch attributed the outstanding play of the defense to the players' level of experience.
"I think the back four is used to playing with each other," she said. "We know how [we're] going to play and what's going to happen because we've played together so long."
Hatch also gave credit to sophomore goalkeeper Christina de Vries.
"Christina has done a great job in goal," Hatch commented. "She hasn't given anyone a good look yet."
The Cavaliers' other two goals came in the second half. After receiving a kick from fellow midfielder Sarah Huffman, sophomore Shannon Foley put the ball in the net for her eighth goal of the season. Later in the half, sophomore forward Ariel Thompson shot the ball into the center of the net to make the score 3-0. Thompson was also assisted by Huffman.
Coming off three consecutive shutouts to finish the regular season, Virginia heads into next week's ACC tournament on a high note. Last night's win ensured the Cavaliers a second place finish in the regular season conference standings and the tournament's number two seed. Gusick talked about the team's hopes for the ACC tournament.
"I think our expectations are really high," she said. "We're not going in just to play, we're going in to win it all this year"
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