Georgetown Rallies for 1-1 Draw with Virginia Behind Lardner's Clinical Finish Ranked Hoyas overcome halftime deficit as Maja Lardner's 70th-minute equalizer salvages point in Charlottesville
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – No. 16 Georgetown battled back from a halftime deficit to earn a 1-1 draw against Virginia on Saturday evening at Klöckner Stadium, with Maja Lardner's clinical second-half finish ensuring the Hoyas avoided defeat in a compelling encounter that showcased both teams' attacking intent.
Virginia seized the initiative in the 21st minute when Lia Godfrey broke the deadlock with an unassisted strike, capitalizing on a defensive lapse to fire past Georgetown goalkeeper Cara Martin. The goal rewarded the Cavaliers' bright opening, as they had already forced two corner kicks and maintained consistent pressure in the attacking third.
The Hoyas responded immediately to falling behind, with Henley Tippins testing the Virginia defense with a dangerous attempt just moments after Godfrey's opener. Georgetown's Mary Cochran also tried her luck from distance, but Victoria Safradin remained alert between the posts for the home side.
The tactical battle intensified after the interval, with Virginia pressing for a decisive second goal. Addison Halpern forced Martin into action early in the second half, while Maggie Cagle's well-placed effort toward the bottom right corner required a smart save from the Georgetown custodian. Carrie Helfrich also tested Martin's reflexes with a low drive that the keeper gathered confidently.
Georgetown's persistence paid dividends in the 69th minute through a moment of genuine quality. Lardner tucked away the equalizer following excellent buildup play, with both Shay Montgomery and Natalie Means credited with assists on a move that showcased the Hoyas' tactical cohesion and attacking fluidity.
The final twenty minutes produced end-to-end action as both sides sought a winner. Virginia earned a flurry of corner kicks, creating several half-chances from set pieces, while Georgetown's Montgomery nearly completed the comeback with a powerful effort that Safradin tipped over the crossbar. Substitute Jocelyn Lohmeyer also came close for the visitors, forcing another save from the Virginia keeper with a well-struck attempt.
Martin proved instrumental in preserving Georgetown's point, making six crucial saves throughout the match. Her most impressive work came during Virginia's sustained second-half pressure, when she denied Ella Carter's bottom-corner effort and smothered Halpern's dangerous strike with 81 minutes on the clock.
The statistical battle reflected the competitive nature of the encounter, with Virginia edging the shot count 15-12 and holding a slight advantage in shots on target 7-5. However, Georgetown's superior corner kick conversion and clinical finishing when it mattered most demonstrated the tactical maturity expected from a ranked program.
Montgomery's influence extended beyond her assist, as the midfielder's work rate and distribution helped Georgetown control key phases of the match. Her partnership with Lardner in the attacking third proved particularly effective, with both players combining effectively to stretch Virginia's defensive shape.
The draw maintains Georgetown's unbeaten start while highlighting Virginia's competitive spirit against ranked opposition. Both teams demonstrated the tactical sophistication and individual quality that makes women's college soccer increasingly compelling, with this encounter serving as an early-season statement of intent from programs with legitimate postseason aspirations.
Key Players
- Maja Lardner (Georgetown) - Converted the crucial equalizer and led the line effectively with two shots, including the match-saving finish in the 69th minute
- Cara Martin (Georgetown) - Made six vital saves to preserve the point, showing excellent shot-stopping ability during Virginia's sustained second-half pressure
- Lia Godfrey (Virginia) - Struck the opening goal and provided consistent attacking threat throughout her 82-minute performance