CHARLOTTESVILLE, VIRGINIA — #1 Virginia defeated #8 Penn St. 2-0 on Thursday in the NCAA Division I Women's Soccer Championship before 1,107 spectators at home. The top-seeded Cavaliers controlled the match with superior possession and shot volume, holding the eighth-seeded Nittany Lions scoreless while converting their opportunities in the first and second halves.
Virginia's dominance was evident in the statistical categories. The Cavaliers generated 21 shot attempts compared to Penn St.'s 13, while outshooting the visitors 8-4 in shots on goal. Virginia's goalkeeper made four saves to preserve the shutout, while Penn St.'s keeper recorded six stops in a losing effort. The home team's attacking pressure forced Penn St. into a defensive posture throughout the 90 minutes.
Maggie Cagle opened the scoring in the 33rd minute, assisted by Jill Flammia, giving Virginia an early advantage. The goal came during a period of sustained Virginia pressure, as the Cavaliers had been creating chances consistently since the opening kickoff. Cagle's finish provided the breakthrough the home team had been threatening to achieve.
Lia Godfrey added Virginia's second goal in the 68th minute, assisted by Tatum Galvin and Ella Carter, extending the lead to 2-0. Godfrey's goal came after Penn St. had made halftime adjustments, indicating Virginia's ability to break down the visitors' defensive setup in the second half. The goal effectively sealed the match with more than 20 minutes remaining.
Penn St. struggled to generate consistent offensive opportunities against Virginia's organized defense. The Nittany Lions earned three corner kicks but failed to convert any into scoring chances. Riley Gleason received a yellow card in the 22nd minute for unsporting conduct, and Hannah Jordan drew another caution in the 53rd minute, forcing Penn St. to manage disciplinary issues alongside their offensive struggles.
Virginia's second-half substitutions proved effective in maintaining control. The Cavaliers made multiple changes at the 45-minute mark, rotating players while preserving their tactical shape. Penn St. made similar adjustments but could not generate the attacking momentum needed to threaten Virginia's lead. Molly Martin received a yellow card for Penn St. in the 76th minute, adding to the visitors' disciplinary problems.
The match demonstrated Virginia's status as a national championship contender. The Cavaliers' ability to dominate possession, create multiple scoring opportunities, and execute in crucial moments reflected their top ranking. Virginia improved to 14-3-4 overall with this victory, extending their current winning streak to two matches. Penn St., now 10-8-3, saw their tournament hopes end with the loss.
Virginia's defensive organization prevented Penn St. from establishing any sustained attacking rhythm. The Cavaliers' backline, anchored by their goalkeeper's four saves, limited the Nittany Lions to peripheral chances. Penn St.'s inability to create high-quality scoring opportunities proved decisive in the outcome.
The victory advances Virginia deeper into the NCAA Championship bracket, showcasing the team's capacity to control elite opponents through superior technical execution and tactical discipline. The Cavaliers' two-goal margin of victory understated their dominance in possession and shot creation throughout the match. Virginia now plays Washington.