The 17th-ranked University of Virginia women's soccer team maintained their perfect start to the season with a commanding 2-0 victory over Liberty University on Sunday, August 24, 2025, in Lynchburg, Virginia. The Cavaliers improved to 3-0-0 following earlier victories over West Virginia (1-0) and Xavier (3-0), while handing the Flames their first loss of the campaign after Liberty had opened with wins over East Carolina (3-1) and Charlotte (1-0), plus a draw against James Madison (2-2).
After a goalless first half that saw both teams struggle to find their rhythm, the Cavaliers came alive in the final 15 minutes to secure all three points at home. The breakthrough finally arrived in the 77th minute when midfielder Lia Godfrey unleashed an unstoppable strike into the bottom right corner from a free-kick opportunity, giving Virginia the lead they had been searching for throughout the match.
The goal energized the home side, and just seven minutes later, they doubled their advantage through forward Allie Ross. In a beautifully orchestrated team move, Ella Carter and Meredith McDermott combined to set up Ross, who calmly slotted home with her left foot into the bottom right corner to seal the victory at 83:53.
Virginia's dominance was evident in their shot count, outshooting Liberty 18-7 overall, with eight shots on target compared to the Flames' three. The Cavaliers' offensive pressure was particularly noticeable in their varied attacking threats - eleven different players registered at least one shot attempt, showcasing the depth and versatility of their attacking options.
Godfrey emerged as the standout performer for Virginia, not only scoring the crucial opening goal but also leading the team with three shot attempts, two of which tested Liberty goalkeeper Ainsley Leja. The midfielder's 75-minute performance was instrumental in breaking down a resilient Liberty defense that had frustrated the home side for over three-quarters of the match.
The Virginia defense, anchored by goalkeeper Victoria Safradin, proved equally impressive. Safradin made three crucial saves to preserve her clean sheet, while the backline, led by the ever-present Kiki Maki and Tatum Galvin who both played the full 90 minutes, limited Liberty to just seven total shots despite some promising attacking spells from the visitors.
Liberty's best opportunities came through Ivy Garner, who managed three shots but could only put one on target. The Flames showed resilience throughout and created several half-chances, particularly through Gabby Miranda and Haley Noblit, but ultimately lacked the cutting edge needed to trouble a well-organized Virginia defense.
The match statistics reflected Virginia's control, as they earned eight corners to Liberty's five and maintained better discipline despite committing eight fouls to Liberty's ten. The Cavaliers' ability to convert their set-piece opportunities, particularly Godfrey's free-kick goal, proved to be the difference between two defensively solid teams.
This victory reinforces Virginia's credentials as a top-20 team and extends their winning streak to open the season, having now outscored opponents 6-0 across three matches. The Cavaliers demonstrated the patience and quality needed to break down a stubborn opponent, with their late flourish showing the mental fortitude that characterizes championship-caliber teams. The win sets up perfectly for their Thursday home match against Charlotte, an opponent Liberty had just defeated 1-0 earlier in the week.
For Liberty, despite the defeat, there were positives to take from a competitive performance against ranked opposition. The Flames had entered the match in strong form after their road win at Charlotte, but will need to quickly regroup as they face another ranked test when Virginia Tech visits Osborne Stadium on Thursday. The back-to-back matches against ranked Virginia programs will serve as a measuring stick for Liberty's progress this season.
Key Players
- Lia Godfrey (University of Virginia) - The midfielder was the difference-maker with her stunning free-kick goal in the 77th minute and led Virginia with three shots, constantly threatening the Liberty defense
- Allie Ross (University of Virginia) - Came off the bench to score the clinching goal with a composed left-footed finish and provided the attacking spark Virginia needed
- Victoria Safradin (University of Virginia) - Kept a crucial clean sheet with three saves, providing a solid foundation for Virginia's victory
- Ainsley Leja (Liberty University) - Despite conceding two goals, made six saves to keep Liberty in the match and prevented a larger deficit with several key stops