Unfortunately for Vermont, the Virginia women's soccer team chose Friday night to take out its frustrations over last week's upset loss to Seton Hall by pummeling the Catamounts, 6-0.
"We had a good week of training overall," Virginia coach Steve Swanson said. "So I was happy to see those things come out on the field. We got up on them early and it was nice to look at some different combinations of players."
In the 12th minute of the game, Sarah Curtis put the Cavaliers on the board. One-timing a cross from Jess Rostedt, Curtis converted on her scoring opportunity, something Virginia had been unable to do in its previous game.
Just three minutes later, Rostedt herself scored unassisted, out-dribbling and out-running half of Vermont's defense. After beating three Catamount players, Rostedt drew the goalkeeper out and snuck the ball past her into the back of the net.
Senior Kristen Weiss closed out the scoring in the first half with her first goal of the season. The goal was a follow-up effort after Vermont goalie Eliza Bradley flubbed the save of Kara Frederick's shot.
When Virginia retook the field at the beginning of the second half, it was with lackluster energy. Fortunately for the Cavaliers, a burst from sophomore Amanda Stewart and Rostedt in the 61st minute gave them their fourth goal of the evening. Rostedt one-timed a cross from Stewart, redirecting the swiftly moving ball into the net to tally her second goal of the contest.
"It felt really good to get some goals in the back of the net," Rostedt said. "After last week's loss, this builds up our confidence so much."
While Virginia voluntarily switched goalies at the half, swapping Celeste Miles for Christian de Vries, Vermont was forced to put Laura Kissock in the net in the 79th minute after Bradley received her second yellow card of the night. Both penalties were called on fouls she committed as the last line of defense to the goal and which prevented breakaway scoring opportunities.
Virginia's one-man advantage during the last 10 minutes of the game proved fruitful. With only five minutes remaining, sophomore Sarah Senty, traditionally a defenseman, scored her first career goal. The play gave Stewart, who also usually plays in the back half of the field, her second assist of the game. While Vermont had all but started their trip back home, Virginia continued to pressure the Catamount's goal and in the 87th minute, Curtis scored once again.
Despite the solid win, Swanson said he saw things that the team will have to improve upon before facing tougher opponents if they hope to be successful. For instance, Virginia was called off-sides on 11 different occasions, and while some were questionable calls, most were clear violations.
"I think we are going to have to play a lot better defensively" Swanson said. "I also feel like we are going to have to make better decisions on the ball against better teams."
Yesterday, Virginia concluded its non-conference schedule in Morgantown, W.Va. against such a team, No. 6 West Virginia. The game ended in a 1-1 tie which snapped the Mountaneers' season-long winning streak. The Cavaliers open conference play Thursday night at Klöckner Stadium against Wake Forest.
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