In front of a record crowd of 3,894 at Klöckner Stadium on Sunday, a golden goal from senior Annie Steinlage lifted the No. 1 Virginia women’s soccer team to a victory against No. 3 Florida State and the team’s first ever ACC regular-season title.
As expected, the Cavaliers (18-0-0, 12-0-0 ACC) and the Seminoles (14-1-3, 9-1-2 ACC) were locked in a defensive struggle for the entirety of the game. The two squads have combined for 22 shutouts this season, and Sunday’s match met expectations. Virginia was able to muster 14 shots but put just five on Florida State’s goal, while not allowing a single shot on their own.
“It was a different style of play today,” coach Steve Swanson said. “We’re coming off of North Carolina who throws a lot of pressure at you, but this game was very tactical. They have some big center backs and a big back four and there wasn’t much space behind them because they’re good at closing it off.”
The two teams played much of the first half in the center of the field, fiercely battling for ball control and combining for seven hard fouls in the half. Virginia had the only legitimate scoring opportunity early, with sophomore forward Makenzy Doniak ringing a shot off the post in the ninth minute.
From there, both teams settled into their compact defenses, allowing no balls to come through the middle of the field. All of Virginia’s chances in the half came off crosses from the wings that did not truly threaten the Florida State keeper.
“It was one of those games where you have to be patient and for our kids it can be tough to do that,” Swanson said. “They’re just a good team so they don’t give you too many chances.”
The game opened up significantly after the half and Virginia was consistently able to attack deep in Florida State’s defensive third. Several Cavaliers were able to get behind the stingy Seminole defense for quality chances but were turned away each time by senior goalkeeper Kelsey Wys. Virginia earned five corner kicks in the second half, but Wys and company were able to easily clear the ball on each of the attempts.
Florida State’s offense came to life in the second half as well, and the Seminoles had extended periods of possession in the attacking third. Despite that smart passing and efficient ball handling, the Cavalier defense, led by outstanding performances from senior Shasta Fisher and sophomore Emily Sonnett, earned the ball back before the Seminoles could take aim at the net, meaning that 90 minutes would not be enough to decide the game.
But one more minute was all it took. Star junior forward Morgan Brian immediately made her way to the top of the box at the beginning of the overtime period and sent a pass wide to senior defender Molly Menchel. Menchel crossed the ball into the box, where it found Steinlage, who shook off a defender, turned and fired a bullet through traffic to the near post to clinch the ACC regular season title.
“Going into the overtime, we were just looking to get it over with quickly,” Steinlage said. “We wanted to bring some energy even though we were tired. I got a perfect ball from Molly and I was just thinking that I wanted to put it in the back of the net and that’s what I did.”
Steinlage’s 91st minute goal was the first of her career in a Virginia uniform. The senior was a two-time All-Big Ten performer at Michigan State before transferring to Virginia for her final year.
“I’m definitely excited to score my first goal here, but I’m more happy that the team got the win in such an amazing atmosphere,” Steinlage said. “It’s the kind of game you’re going to remember the rest of your life.”
Although elated about clinching the regular season title, the Cavaliers know that there is more work to be done. The team closes out the regular season with a showdown against No. 7 Virginia Tech Thursday at Klöckner Stadium and then must look forward to both the ACC and NCAA tournaments.
“In this day and age, and in this conference with the quality of teams it has, it says a lot,” Swanson said about the accolade his team earned Sunday. “But there’s still a lot left on the table and we know we have a big game coming up Thursday. I know we will be hungry for that game and the chance to make some more history.”
The match against the Hokies begins at 7 p.m. Thursday, with a pregame ceremony honoring the seniors on the Cavalier roster.
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